Punk rock pioneers Destroy Boys brought their west coast tour to a sold-out crowd in San Diego’s Soma Sidestage on Saturday, March 29. With influences such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Growlers, and Vampire Weekend, Destroy Boys were destined to have a unique sound, and an insane live show to match. The quartet, consisting of Alexia Roditis (lead vocals and guitar) Violet Mayugba (vocals and guitar) Narsai Malik (guitar) and David Orozco (bass), came ready to get rowdy. As the band took their places, Alexia immediately threw herself into the center of the stage-set crowd screaming, “Are you ready San Diego!?”
Kicking off the set with the fan-favorite “Crybaby,” Alexia immediately set a tone of inclusion and community, reminding the crowd to prioritize their well-being while embracing the punk ethos of moshing — if they felt inclined. It wasn’t long before the venue was a whirlwind of energy, bodies moving, shouting, and moshing all in unison to the band’s music.
They then transitioned into “Drink,” a standout track from their album Open Mouth, Open Heart, inviting an intimate connection between the musicians and their fans. The audience sang along, fully immersed in the performance. The evening reached its peak with “Fences,” which sparked one of the night’s biggest mosh pits. Despite the chaos, every face was smiling, screaming, exuding all emotion of joy and release that can only be seen in a crowd of proud punk kids at home.
As the night came to a close, the audience demanded an encore, and Destroy Boys delivered with a charged performance of “Piedmont” followed by the anthem “I Threw Glass at My Friend’s Eyes and Now I’m on Probation.” The final tones rang out as the audience was left completely floored with the generation’s punk icons. Violet is quoted in their bio as saying “California punk rock changed my life. It showed me exactly what I want to do and who I want to be,” and their calling could not have been stronger. Their sold-out show at Soma Sidestage was not only a testament to their ever-growing influence but also a reminder of punk’s enduring ability to challenge, inspire, and unite.
GALLERY: DESTROY BOYS AT SOMA IN SAN DIEGO (MARCH 29, 2025)
