Surviving a long list of lineup changes, lead singer Casey Royer has ensured the continued punk rock influence of D.I. for almost 30 years now. Though he was the original drummer for the similarly long-lasting Social Distortion, Royer eventually decided to branch out and start his own project, forming D.I. in the Orange County area of Southern California in 1982. Over the years, D.I. has helped define the So Cal hardcore and skate punk scene that also includes heavy-hitters such as Bad Religion, Agent Orange and The Adolescents. Royer's trademark vocal style has inspired a new generation of bands aiming to replicate the defining characteristics that now classic punk groups in the 1980s regularly employed.