Destructo

Destructo is the alias of Gary Richards, a DJ, producer and promoter associated with hard house and electronic music. He begins DJing and producing underground music in Los Angeles in the early 1990s and is closely linked with the creation of RaveAmerica at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Career

Rick Rubin later chooses Richards for A&R work in electronic music at Def American Recordings. In that role, he works with artists including Lords of Acid, Messiah, David Holmes, Basement Jaxx, Dub Pistols and God Lives Underwater. He also founds the labels 1500 Records and Nitrus Records.

After moving into metal management with No Name Mgmt, Richards returns to his electronic roots in 2007 and creates HARD. HARD events, including HARD Haunted Mansion, become associated with his approach to electronic music and DJ performance.

Other artists using the name

There are at least two other artists known as Destructo: a former electro project formed in South Africa by Watkin Tudor Jones, later known as Ninja of Die Antwoord, and an Amsterdam-based black thrash act.