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'''DiY Sound System''', also known as the '''DiY Collective''', was a British [[house music]] sound system, co-founded by Harry Harrison, Rick "Digs" Down, Simon "DK" Smith and Pete "Woosh" Birch, in 1989.<ref name="mixmag-2022">{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-07|title=New book explores the 90s heyday of DiY Sound System|url=https://mixmag.net/read/new-book-explores-90s-uk-rave-sound-system-news|website=Mixmag}}</ref> The group "divided their activities between free parties and legal club nights, acting as a bridge between counter-culture and the mainstream".<ref name="page 217">ed. Low M. and Barnett C., (2004) ''Spaces of Democracy: Geographical Perspectives on Citizenship, Participation and Representation'', SAGE Publications, {{ISBN|0-7619-4734-5}}</ref><ref name="theguardian-dicker">{{cite news|first1=Holly|last1=Dicker|access-date=2023-07-11|title=90s rave crew DiY Sound System: 'We definitely sacrificed our sanity'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/19/90s-rave-crew-diy-sound-system-interview-we-sacrificed-our-sanity|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 April 2022|issn=0261-3077|via=The Guardian}}</ref>
{{Infobox musical artist

| genre = [[House music]]
}}
'''DiY Sound System''', also known as the '''DiY Collective''', was one of [[United Kingdom|Britain]]'s first [[house music|house]] sound systems. The group "divided their activities between free parties and legal club nights, acting as a bridge between counter-culture and the mainstream".<ref name="page 217">ed. Low M. and Barnett C., (2004) ''Spaces of Democracy: Geographical Perspectives on Citizenship, Participation and Representation'', SAGE Publications, {{ISBN|0-7619-4734-5}}</ref>
==History==
==History==
===1990s===
DiY was founded in [[Nottingham]] in 1989 as a reaction against the growing number of [[rave]] promoters whose bias was towards their own financial enrichment, rather than the joy of their party-goers. They wished to form a cohesive, collective, political front against the prevailing anti-rave legislation that was beginning to come into force at that time.<ref name="vice">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/xd38mq/diy-25th-anniversary-scott-oliver-125 | title= The Raving Crew Who Were Named 'The Most Dangerous People in the UK'| work=Vice | author=Scott Oliver | date=20 August 2014}}</ref> This became more marked around the time of the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]], with DiY playing a key role in the largest illegal rave ever put on at [[Castlemorton Common Festival]] prior to the Bill and a constant stream of illegal, outdoor parties (often at travellers' sites, quarries and disused airfields) all over the country.<ref name="djmag">{{cite web| url=https://djmag.com/content/diy-can-do-attitude | title= DIY: Can-do Attitude! | work=DJ Mag | date= 4 November 2014}}</ref> Simon Reynolds wrote that DiY threw "free parties at abandoned airfields or on hilltops, drawing a mixed crowd of urban ravers and crusty road warriors".<ref name="reynolds">Reynolds, S., 1998, ''Energy Flash'', Picador, {{ISBN|0-5712-8914-2}}</ref>
The DiY Collective was co-founded by Harry Harrison, Rick "Digs" Down, Simon "DK" Smith and Pete "Woosh" Birch in [[Nottingham]] in 1989<ref name="mixmag-2022"/><ref name="theguardian-dicker"/><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-07|title=History of '90s UK rave sound system DiY Collective celebrated in new book, Dreaming in Yellow|url=https://djmag.com/news/history-90s-uk-rave-sound-system-diy-collective-celebrated-new-book-dreaming-yellow|date=10 February 2022|website=DJMag.com}}</ref> as a reaction against the growing commercialisation of [[rave|pay parties]], especially Orbital raves such as Biology and Sunrise. DiY's standpoint came from a merging of [[Anarchism|anarchist]] principles and a history of attending both [[free festival]]s and clubs such as [[the Haçienda]]. They wished to form a cohesive, collective, political front against the prevailing anti-rave legislation that was beginning to come into force at that time.<ref name="vice">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/xd38mq/diy-25th-anniversary-scott-oliver-125 | title= The Raving Crew Who Were Named 'The Most Dangerous People in the UK'| work=Vice | author=Scott Oliver | date=20 August 2014}}</ref> This became more marked around the time of the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]], with DiY playing a key role in the illegal rave at [[Castlemorton Common Festival]] prior to the Bill in May 1992.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Tim|last1=Guest|access-date=2022-03-07|title=Tim Guest tells the story of how the state crushed the early 90s free party scene|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jul/12/90s-spiral-tribe-free-parties|date=11 July 2009|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-07|title="It's never too far": The inside story of Castlemorton — history's most infamous rave|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/diy-soundsystem-dreaming-in-yellow-extract-book-free-party-castlemorton|website=Mixmag}}</ref> After hooking up with a group of progressive travellers at the 1990 Glastonbury Festival, they began to throw a constant stream of illegal, outdoor parties (often at travellers' sites, quarries and disused airfields) all over the country for many years.<ref name="djmag">{{cite web| url=https://djmag.com/content/diy-can-do-attitude | title= DIY: Can-do Attitude! | work=DJ Mag | date= 4 November 2014}}</ref> [[Simon Reynolds]] wrote that DiY threw "free parties at abandoned airfields or on hilltops, drawing a mixed crowd of urban ravers and crusty road warriors".<ref name="reynolds">Reynolds, S., 1998, ''Energy Flash'', Picador, {{ISBN|0-5712-8914-2}}</ref>


DiY also worked successfully in the realm of legitimate club nights, starting with their first night at the Kool Kat, Nottingham on Nov 23rd 1989 on Harry's 23rd birthday.{{cn|date=August 2021}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collin|first=Matthew|title=Altered State|publisher=Serpent's Tail|year=1997|isbn=1-85242-604-7|location=UK|pages=197}}</ref> Their "Bounce" began at Venus, Nottingham in Feb 1991 and ran for five years at various clubs, including the legendary nights at the Dance Factory.{{cn|date=August 2021}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collin|first=Matthew|title=Altered State|publisher=Serpent's Tail|year=1997|isbn=1-85242-604-7|location=UK|pages=198}}</ref> Bounce began to tour the country as well as being a staple of Nottingham's night life and at one point had a network of nights in Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Sheffield, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter and Bath.{{cn|date=August 2021}}
DiY also worked in the realm of legitimate club nights, starting with their first night at the Kool Kat, Nottingham on 23 November 1989 on Harry's 23rd birthday.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collin|first=Matthew|title=Altered State|publisher=Serpent's Tail|year=1997|isbn=1-85242-604-7|location=UK|pages=197}}</ref> Their "Bounce" began at Venus, Nottingham in February 1991 and ran for five years at various clubs, including nights at the Dance Factory.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Collin|first=Matthew|title=Altered State|publisher=Serpent's Tail|year=1997|isbn=1-85242-604-7|location=UK|pages=198}}</ref> Bounce also at one point had a network of nights in Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Sheffield, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter and Bath.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}


The label put out releases from members of the DiY Collective, as well local artists including [[Atjazz]], [[Rhythm Plate]] and [[Charles Webster (musician)|Charles Webster]].<ref name="beatportal">{{cite web|url=http://www.beatportal.com/feed/item/20-years-of-diy-soundsystem/ | title= 20 years of DiY Soundsystem | work=Beatportal | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319010548/http://www.beatportal.com/feed/item/20-years-of-diy-soundsystem/ | archivedate= 19 March 2013}}</ref>
The Strictly 4 Groovers label put out its first release by Alabama 3 in 1992, followed by records from members of the DiY Collective, as well local artists including [[Atjazz]], [[Rhythm Plate]] and [[Charles Webster (musician)|Charles Webster]].


===Later===
DiY continue to hold occasional free parties, typically to celebrate a milestone date - on 19 September 2009, DiY celebrated their 20th birthday with a free party in near their home town of Nottingham, and on 23 August 2014, they their 25th (Silver) birthday with a free party held in a field in Leicestershire.<ref name="leftlion">{{cite web|url=https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2014/august/doing-it-for-diy-6917/ | title= Doing it for DiY | work= Left Lion | date= 27 August 2014}}</ref>
DiY continue to hold occasional free parties, typically to celebrate a milestone date—on 19 September 2009, DiY celebrated their 20th birthday with a free party near their home town of Nottingham, and on 23 August 2014, their 25th birthday with a free party held in a field in Leicestershire.<ref name="theguardian-dicker"/><ref name="vice"/>


===Aftermath===
On 3 October 2020, it was announced that Pete Birch (DJ Woosh aka the Peacuful Ones) had died from cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2020/october/pete-woosh-birch-on-the-history-of-diy-soundsystem-digs-woosh-castlemorton-rave/|title=Pete 'Woosh' Birch on the History of DiY Soundsystem|work=Left Lion|date=3 October 2020}}</ref> Despite Covid restrictions, a wake was held in Nottingham and a ceremony was held at Prestwold Natural Burial Ground where he is interred. In May 2021 a birch tree was planted on his grave.{{cn|date=August 2021}}
On 3 October 2020, it was announced that Pete Birch (DJ Woosh) had died from cancer.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-07|title=UK deep house pioneer Pete Woosh has died|url=https://mixmag.net/read/uk-deep-house-pioneer-pete-woosh-has-died-news|website=Mixmag}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-07|title=UK free party pioneer Pete 'Woosh' Birch has died|url=https://djmag.com/news/uk-free-party-pioneer-pete-woosh-birch-has-died|date=7 October 2020|website=DJMag.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://ra.co/news/73678 | title=UK house and free party scene pioneer Pete 'Woosh' Birch has died}}</ref>

Harry Harrison released a biographical history of DiY, ''Dreaming In Yellow'' in 2022.<ref name="theguardian-dicker"/>

Simon DK died on 6 July 2023, age 60.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-11|title=Simon DK, founding member of Nottingham collective DiY, has died|url=https://ra.co/news/79267|website=Resident Advisor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-11|title=Simon DK, legendary DJ and founding member of DiY Sound System, has died|url=https://mixmag.net/read/simon-dk-smith-legendary-dj-founding-member-diy-sound-system-has-died-news|website=Mixmag}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-11|title=Simon DK Smith, co-founder of DiY Sound System, dies, aged 60|url=https://djmag.com/news/simon-dk-smith-co-founder-diy-sound-system-dies-aged-60|date=7 July 2023|website=DJMag.com}}</ref>

DJ Digs continues to DJ as Grace Sands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ra.co/dj/gracesands/biography|title=Grace Sands - Biography - RA|work=[[Resident Advisor]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*''Dreaming in Yellow: the story of the DiY Sound System''. By Harry Harrison. Velocity, 2022. {{ISBN|9781913231149}}.


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:Sound systems]]
[[Category:Sound systems]]

Latest revision as of 14:32, 11 July 2023

DiY Sound System, also known as the DiY Collective, was a British house music sound system, co-founded by Harry Harrison, Rick "Digs" Down, Simon "DK" Smith and Pete "Woosh" Birch, in 1989.[1] The group "divided their activities between free parties and legal club nights, acting as a bridge between counter-culture and the mainstream".[2][3]

History

[edit]

1990s

[edit]

The DiY Collective was co-founded by Harry Harrison, Rick "Digs" Down, Simon "DK" Smith and Pete "Woosh" Birch in Nottingham in 1989[1][3][4] as a reaction against the growing commercialisation of pay parties, especially Orbital raves such as Biology and Sunrise. DiY's standpoint came from a merging of anarchist principles and a history of attending both free festivals and clubs such as the Haçienda. They wished to form a cohesive, collective, political front against the prevailing anti-rave legislation that was beginning to come into force at that time.[5] This became more marked around the time of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, with DiY playing a key role in the illegal rave at Castlemorton Common Festival prior to the Bill in May 1992.[6][7] After hooking up with a group of progressive travellers at the 1990 Glastonbury Festival, they began to throw a constant stream of illegal, outdoor parties (often at travellers' sites, quarries and disused airfields) all over the country for many years.[8] Simon Reynolds wrote that DiY threw "free parties at abandoned airfields or on hilltops, drawing a mixed crowd of urban ravers and crusty road warriors".[9]

DiY also worked in the realm of legitimate club nights, starting with their first night at the Kool Kat, Nottingham on 23 November 1989 on Harry's 23rd birthday.[10] Their "Bounce" began at Venus, Nottingham in February 1991 and ran for five years at various clubs, including nights at the Dance Factory.[11] Bounce also at one point had a network of nights in Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Sheffield, Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter and Bath.[citation needed]

The Strictly 4 Groovers label put out its first release by Alabama 3 in 1992, followed by records from members of the DiY Collective, as well local artists including Atjazz, Rhythm Plate and Charles Webster.

Later

[edit]

DiY continue to hold occasional free parties, typically to celebrate a milestone date—on 19 September 2009, DiY celebrated their 20th birthday with a free party near their home town of Nottingham, and on 23 August 2014, their 25th birthday with a free party held in a field in Leicestershire.[3][5]

Aftermath

[edit]

On 3 October 2020, it was announced that Pete Birch (DJ Woosh) had died from cancer.[12][13][14]

Harry Harrison released a biographical history of DiY, Dreaming In Yellow in 2022.[3]

Simon DK died on 6 July 2023, age 60.[15][16][17]

DJ Digs continues to DJ as Grace Sands.[18]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "New book explores the 90s heyday of DiY Sound System". Mixmag. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  2. ^ ed. Low M. and Barnett C., (2004) Spaces of Democracy: Geographical Perspectives on Citizenship, Participation and Representation, SAGE Publications, ISBN 0-7619-4734-5
  3. ^ a b c d Dicker, Holly (19 April 2022). "90s rave crew DiY Sound System: 'We definitely sacrificed our sanity'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 July 2023 – via The Guardian.
  4. ^ "History of '90s UK rave sound system DiY Collective celebrated in new book, Dreaming in Yellow". DJMag.com. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b Scott Oliver (20 August 2014). "The Raving Crew Who Were Named 'The Most Dangerous People in the UK'". Vice.
  6. ^ Guest, Tim (11 July 2009). "Tim Guest tells the story of how the state crushed the early 90s free party scene". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  7. ^ ""It's never too far": The inside story of Castlemorton — history's most infamous rave". Mixmag. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  8. ^ "DIY: Can-do Attitude!". DJ Mag. 4 November 2014.
  9. ^ Reynolds, S., 1998, Energy Flash, Picador, ISBN 0-5712-8914-2
  10. ^ Collin, Matthew (1997). Altered State. UK: Serpent's Tail. p. 197. ISBN 1-85242-604-7.
  11. ^ Collin, Matthew (1997). Altered State. UK: Serpent's Tail. p. 198. ISBN 1-85242-604-7.
  12. ^ "UK deep house pioneer Pete Woosh has died". Mixmag. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  13. ^ "UK free party pioneer Pete 'Woosh' Birch has died". DJMag.com. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  14. ^ "UK house and free party scene pioneer Pete 'Woosh' Birch has died".
  15. ^ "Simon DK, founding member of Nottingham collective DiY, has died". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Simon DK, legendary DJ and founding member of DiY Sound System, has died". Mixmag. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Simon DK Smith, co-founder of DiY Sound System, dies, aged 60". DJMag.com. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Grace Sands - Biography - RA". Resident Advisor.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Dreaming in Yellow: the story of the DiY Sound System. By Harry Harrison. Velocity, 2022. ISBN 9781913231149.
[edit]
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