On Friday, July 22nd, Destructo will be playing at the Electric Playhouse, and I feel it safe to say that when he arrives you won’t just be getting a DJ set, but also an audience with a vital part of our Culture’s evolution and history.
When I started Our Dancefloor a major aspect of it was trying to document and study Rave History, and I feel there are very few people that have helped Modern Rave Culture get to where it is more than Gary Richards aka Destructo.
Because of that I approached this like a historian, and I spent the last week casually scanning the internet- mainly Wikipedia, Facebook and Google- trying to piece together as many facts about this person’s contribution as possible.
And now, as a way of showing a different perspective than just supporting a DJ and a show, I’m going to share what I found here, for the most part.
Gary’s contributions to this specific culture started during the golden rave days of the early 90’s in Southern California. Throwing warehouse raves and even the first EDC, he did it the right way, the old fashioned way, the way that helped forge who he is and also who we as ravers are as well.
I even learned that during this period he was instrumental in signing and developing the group known as Lords of Acid, a major act when I was younger, even before I knew about raves. It’s awesome to know that even then there was that connection.
After that, he started Hard Events, with the first Hard Music Festival being held In Los Angeles in 2007. The Hard events helped evolve what we once used to call Massives.
We didn’t have Massives here in New Mexico, as they were only usually in the bigger cities, but they were very much a precursor to the many festivals we experience now.
Hard Summer and Hard Day of the Dead were always events that were known about even out here as something different, and there’s no denying their impact, both with the unique acts they still book, and also with the approach they always took as being an alternative to new school festivals.
Not a lot of people remember Massives because they have since been absorbed by Festivals now, but for a long period Massives were what pushed things forward not just with their size, but also with the experiences they offered. They were proof of how big this movement was really getting.
What they did is they gave people the chance to see acts they’d never get to see at smaller shows, and they’d create memories and friendships on a so much grander scaler than ever known before.
That concept would come up again, with another idea Gary had, called Holy Ship.
The first Holy Ship was in 2012 and it offered something never thought possible. A first class cruise experience to a tropical island and back, and all set to the sound of some of the best electronic music in the world played live just for the people who love it the most.
I can still remember the first time my friends told me about Holy Ship, and it was so hard to believe such a feat could be pulled off. Such an experience on such a scale in such an environment was unthinkable during the early rave days, and yet to them Holy Ship wasn’t just about fun, but also about family.
After Holy Ship, Gary went on to start another Cruise experience called The Friendship with his production company All My Friends.
Friendship is very similar to Holy Ship, and yet what I like about it is the inclusion of more techno and darker sounds, which suit someone like me much more than Holy Ship, although, again, what they offer is very similar to the Massives before that. A chance to see acts in an environment and setting never possible before. I’m very excited to see where the Friendship sails to next.
Along with the creation of the Friendship, they have also started having these smaller festivals as well, dedicated to House Music in a way that I feel is getting overlooked by other companies sometimes. House music is what started all of this, and I am happy to know that there is still a strong commitment to it, by this DJ and the shows he throws.
Aside from all the facts I just listed, what should be stated about this person is that everywhere he goes a feeling or vibe follows him, and although he is not the only one who can do this, you can’t deny that what you get is something more than just a guy spinning records for bit.
What you get is somebody who has devoted their life to this culture for around thirty years, and at every step of the way, they have helped improve it, while helping others share their music and their style. I’m happy he’s coming to town, and I’m happy for my friends, and the Ship Fam reunion I’m sure they will be having because of this.
As time goes on, and we experience this life more and more, there’s this thing that starts to happen that you just don’t notice. You’re there for the music, but you find yourself eventually being there for each other. Of course, your love for what led you there remains, but from that blooms a new love. A love for the culture we belong to.
This Friday a major part of where our culture is today is coming to Electric Playhouse in the form of Destructo, and I can’t recommend enough how much you should go enjoy the moment. Playing along with him will be DJ Glen, and local favorite Xblyssid, so please, go early, stay late, and this time, don’t just support the culture, give yourself a lesson on its history.
A history that will always make sure to include Gary Richards.
See you guys on the cruise ship dancefloor.
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