Q&A: Destroy Boys Advocates for Queer Safe Spaces at Lollapalooza
SACRAMENTO PUNKS — Destroy Boys delivered a powerful and memorable debut at Lollapalooza on Saturday, August 3, where they not only showcased their musical prowess but also championed safe spaces for queer and trans attendees. Their performance resonated with the crowd, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity and empowerment.
Coming off the recent release of their latest single “Boyfeel,” Destroy Boys have confirmed that their new era will include their fourth album called Funeral Soundtrack #4 set to release on August 9. This record promises to continue the band's tradition of powerful music. The quartet has already released four tracks from the album, including “Plucked,” “Beg For The Torture,” “Shadow (I’m Breaking Down)” and “Boyfeel,” which closes the album.
Funeral Soundtrack #4 signifies the death and rebirth experienced by the band members and their music throughout their careers. Their first three records marked the end of different chapters, serving as soundtracks to their personal and artistic funerals.
At Lollapalooza, Destroy Boys played fan favorites such as “Beg For The Torture,” “Muzzle” and “I Threw Glass at My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m on Probation,” sparking mosh pits despite the heat. The energy was cathartic, offering fans a fierce and intense release.
From the moment they took the stage, Destroy Boys made it clear that their set was dedicated to uplifting the queer and trans community. Lead singer Alexia Roditis delivered passionate speeches between songs, emphasizing the importance of protecting trans people and creating safe spaces for them.
The band’s set was not just about high-energy performances; it was also about the stories they told through their lyrics. Their songs explored themes of personal struggle, societal issues and the fight for inclusivity. “Boyfeel,” their latest single, stood out as an introspective track that delves into Roditis’s journey with gender nonconformity. Written at the age of 17, this song encapsulates the vulnerability and authenticity that Destroy Boys bring to their music.
In a powerful and memorable moment towards the end of their set, Destroy Boys paused to educate their fans on how to protect themselves against older, predatory men and assert their boundaries when faced with disrespect. This demonstration was both empowering and necessary, providing the audience with tools to navigate potentially unsafe situations.
Destroy Boys' performance at Lollapalooza was transformative, both for the band and their fans. It was a powerful declaration of their commitment to using their platform to support the queer and trans community and to create spaces where everyone can feel seen, heard and respected.
As they prepare to release Funeral Soundtrack #4, Destroy Boys continue to push boundaries, challenge norms and uplift their fans through their music of protest and call to community.
Photography Credit: Alina Pawl-Castanoñ
LUNA: Thank you for sitting down and talking to Luna. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar yet, what kind of atmosphere or emotional space do you aim to create for your listeners?
ALEXIA: I love this question. I primarily make music for myself to process my own emotions and eventually get somewhere, so I like to have an arc for the song. I hope to carry listeners through their own feelings and into some sort of resolution for that. I just want to put people in a space where they can escape whatever's plaguing them or hide them. I want to hide them, and I want to give them some sort of solace and let them feel listened to.
LUNA: You’re gearing up to release your fourth record Funeral Soundtrack #4. What can listeners expect from you in this new era of music?
NARSAI: Continued rocking.
VIOLET: Elevated rocking. Progress and development in the sound sonically and in musicality. Strength. Power. Conviction. Constitution. Mental fortitude.
LUNA: Have you experimented more or taken any more risks with Funeral Soundtrack #4 compared to your previous releases, whether that’s lyrically, sonically or even emotionally?
ALEXIA: I think lyrically I started using “I” and “you” more which I didn't used to do. I'm a singer. I like using different aspects of my voice that I haven't used before in Destroy Boys.
VIOLET: I screamed on this record for the first time.
LUNA: If you had to choose, what’s your favorite song off the record and why do you love it?
VIOLET: It’s a deep cut, but I really like “Praying.” It reminds me a lot of 21st Century Breakdown era from Green Day, which is one of my favorite bands. I think it's just a rad song. We haven't played it live yet. We rehearsed it, but whenever I go to practice the album all the way through I always start with that one. I think it's really fun.
LUNA: Can you describe the energy and atmosphere at Lollapalooza? How does it compare to other festivals or shows you’ve played?
VIOLET: The crowd was so sick and was ready to go.
NARSAI: It really was one of those festivals where everyone's down no matter what, more open to just going to see bands or artists that they don't necessarily know and just getting down. That's the vibe I got from the crowd that we just had.
ALEXIA: Chicago in general always brings the energy. We played Riot Fest a couple years ago and that was like such a memorable show. I love the Chicago crowd.
DAVID: In terms of festivals, I feel like Lolla up there with like in terms of American festivals. It's Coachella, Lolla and Riot Fest, like those are the heavy hitters and this was our first time and it really met the expectations.
Photography Credit: Alina Pawl-Castanoñ
LUNA: What were some highlights or memorable moments from your Lollapalooza performance?
VIOLET: I went to the microphone and yelled ‘Lollapalooza’ and everyone went crazy. That was so full circle. We’ve been a band for a long time, so getting to play here has been a dream. When the crowd jumped during the last song, it was huge.
ALEXIA: It was memorable. I went down in the crowd and was walking around and dancing and saying hello to people for a couple songs and so that's always memorable. I love getting to see our fans up close and hear people screaming our lyrics and it makes me really happy.
LUNA: Do you have any specific pre-show rituals or routines that help you prepare for a big performance like Lollapalooza?
DAVID: We huddle and someone usually gives a speech just to rile us up a little bit. That's pre pre-show.
VIOLET: Post-show, obviously this isn't feasible all the time, but when it's possible post-show, I like to walk directly into the shower and put my whole face in the water like I'm drowning and it brings me back down to reality, especially if the water is really cold.
ALEXIA: I do my makeup and I put on my costume beforehand and that gets me in the mood. I do vocal warm ups and usually have a little lozenge to loosen up the pipes. I like to meditate on some other stuff like that. After the show, I'd really like to stretch and take all my clothes off because they're so sweaty and I need to get out.
LUNA: How do you choose your setlist for a festival performance, and did you do anything special or different for Lollapalooza?
ALEXIA: We like to play a cover whenever we play a festival just for the people who don't know us to give them something familiar to listen to. Today we did “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash and that was a hit.
DAVID: This festival is different because a lot of festivals you get like 30 minutes, but we had a full hour. We pulled all the stops that we could.
ALEXIA: Lots of bits. Lots of crowd interactions and telling jokes.
LUNA: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like for you that you would love to share with Luna?
ALEXIA: You can expect me on the discord server and fun outfits and more shows.
DAVID: We have a headline tour coming up. The headline tour is coming up in October and November around the U.S. We’re playing Reading Festival in a few weeks. We’re going to be in Europe and the U.K. We’re going to be going around the world.
VIOLET: We’re running around the world with each other and doing everything together around the world.
