[2][3] 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.
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.
[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".
[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.