The DiY Sound System

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The DiY Sound System was one of Britain's first house sound systems, alongside Tonka. Created 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. As well as this, 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. This became more marked around the time of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 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.

DiY also worked successfully in the realm of legitimate club nights, with their "Bounce" night touring the country as well as being a staple of Nottingham's night life. Its popularity, connected to its lack of concern for dress codes or exploitation of its loyal clubbers, coupled with its very particular form of deep, soulful, often minimal house music, led to it being recognised as one of the top ten club nights in Britain by The Times.

In 1993 they also incepted their own record label, Strictly 4 Groovers, which later became known as DiY discs. This is still running and releasing house music and the primary DJs - Simon DK, Digs and Woosh still play at various nights in the U.K., Europe and The States. They recently celebrated their eighteenth birthday in London.