Destroy Boys

ByLets Go Punk
Destroy Boys formed in Sacramento in 2015 and built a fierce punk sound blending garage and hardcore punk

Destroy Boys are a punk rock band from Sacramento, California, that came together in 2015. Over the years, they have carved out a reputation with a mix of punk rock, garage punk, and hardcore punk, while also earning recognition through festivals, tours, and critical acclaim. Their records have been released through labels such as Uncool Records, Hopeless Records, and 1-2-3-4 Go! Records.

History

The origins of Destroy Boys trace back to October 6, 2015, when Alexia Roditis and Violet Mayugba started the band as an acoustic project. Initially, Roditis was set to play drums while Mayugba handled vocals and guitar. The group’s name came from words Mayugba had written on her chalkboard during personal struggles. They released their first EP, Mom Jeans, in 2015 with Roditis on vocals and Mayugba on acoustic guitar.

Not long after, drummer Ethan Knight joined the group after being encouraged by his mother to join a band. With his arrival, Mayugba moved over to electric guitar. This lineup recorded the EP Grimester in 2016, marking the band’s first physical release.

By 2017, Destroy Boys gained momentum, releasing singles like “Methatonin” and “Gold Medal.” That same year, Enzo Malaspina briefly joined on bass, and his brother Chris followed on drums after Knight’s departure. The group continued to grow, landing nominations at the Sacramento Area Music Awards and performing at Submerge magazine’s tenth-anniversary show. Roditis also began playing rhythm guitar live during this period.

In 2018, the band unveiled their second album, Make Room, preceded by singles such as “Crybaby,” “Vixen,” and “Soundproof.” The album included contributions from several musicians, including Enzo and Chris Malaspina, Joey Armstrong, and Cole Becker. Around this time, Destroy Boys toured widely, opening for bands like The Regrettes and Sons of an Illustrious Father, and performed at events such as Uncool Halloween III at the UC Theatre.

Destroy Boys released the single “Fences” in January 2020, followed by “Honey I’m Home” in April of the same year. Their momentum carried into 2021, when they signed with Hopeless Records and put out the single “Muzzle,” which appeared on their third album, Open Mouth, Open Heart, released on October 8, 2021.

The band’s fourth studio album, Funeral Soundtrack #4, arrived on August 8, 2024. Its lead single, “Boyfeel,” had been released earlier that summer and hinted at the band’s evolving sound.

Musical Style and Influence

Destroy Boys’ style incorporates elements of punk rock, garage punk, hardcore punk, and riot grrrl, though the band has rejected being labeled strictly as riot grrrl despite frequent comparisons. Their influences span a wide range, including Operation Ivy, Misfits, Sleater-Kinney, Lady Gaga, Black Sabbath, The Police, Against Me!, and the Distillers. The band has described themselves as what might happen if Blondie stumbled into a Misfits recording session. Roditis cites Siouxsie Sioux, Brooks Nielsen of The Growlers, and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend as key vocal influences.

Members

  • Current
    • Alexia Roditis – lead vocals (2015-present), guitar (2018-present)
    • Violet Mayugba – guitar, backing vocals (2015-present)
    • Narsai Malik – drums (2018-present)
    • David Orozco – bass (2021-present)
  • Past
    • Ethan Knight – drums (2015-2018)
    • Enzo Malaspina – bass (2017)
    • Chris Malaspina – drums (2017-2018)
    • Abe Cunningham – drums (2018)
    • Blake Eitel – bass (2018)
    • Donnie Walsh – bass (2017, 2018-2019)

Discography

  • Studio albums
    • Sorry, Mom (2016)
    • Make Room (2018)
    • Open Mouth, Open Heart (2021)
    • Funeral Soundtrack #4 (2024)
  • EPs
    • Mom Jeans (2015)
    • Grimester (2016)
    • Destroy Boys on Audiotree Live (2019)

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