Destroy Boys have dropped a new single, “Shadow (I’m Breaking Down)”, via Hopeless Records. Once again working with Carlos de la Garza (Bad Religion, Paramore, The Linda Lindas), the new single exemplifies the trio’s penchant for mixing their high-energy and raw sound with their honest and unapologetic lyrics. They share, “‘Shadow (I’m Breaking Down)’ is about compassionately confronting the parts of yourself that you don’t like, or do like but might be toxic. It’s an introspective piece, taking notes from various spiritual beliefs and psychological research.”
“Shadow (I’m Breaking Down)” is the follow up to “Beg For the Torture” which the band released earlier this year. Punk Rock might have been the force that brought Destroy Boys together but it’s far from the only touchstone for their music. From their first record through the present, they have continued to write and sing about what they know. School drama and elitist cliques encountered in their teens have given way to the pain of relationships and the inherent feelings of misunderstanding and isolation that is all too common for young people navigating a hybrid of real and digital worlds.
Started in 2015 by Sacramento teens Alexia Roditis and Violet Mayugba while they were still in high-school, initially the band released several home recordings as their lineup evolved. Destroy Boys’ first proper record, ‘Sorry Mom’ remains a classic for the band’s fans, having spawned their underground hit “I Threw Glass At My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m On Probation”. The follow up record, ‘Make Room’ was tracked in just 4 days and yielded favorites such as “Crybaby” and “Duck Eat Duck World” (later featured on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack).
Adding drummer Narsai Malik to the fold in 2018, Destroy Boys began to tour in earnest, venturing as far as the UK, opening for numerous up-and-coming indie bands. As their own songs took off on Spotify and Tik Tok they signed with LA Punk/Emo label Hopeless Records in 2020. Working with Philly producer Will Yip (Turnstile, Braid) their first Hopeless release was the snarling, one minute ripper, “Muzzle”. The eventual LP ‘Open Mouth, Open Heart’, released in late 2021 chronicled a band dealing with familiar pandemic-frustration and the rise of online gossip and bullying, and they dealt with these head on with songs ranging from “Escape” to “Locker Room Bully”.
