Feature / One Question Interviews
Druglords of the Avenues

Words: Loren • April 25, 2014

Druglords of the Avenues
Druglords of the Avenues

Johnny Bonnel (Druglords of the Avenues, Swingin’ Utters, Filthy Thieving Bastards)

SPB: Where does your band name for Druglords of the Avenues come from?

Bonnel: I was watching a documentary on a Jewish community in Alphabet City, New York and the narrator mentioned "Druglords of the Avenues" more than a couple times. I thought it sounded like a cool band name, but I was already in two: Swingin' Utters and Filthy Thieving Bastards. It ended up being a song title for FTB. I'm constantly grabbing phrases and words from other forms of art. Anything that immediately conjures images of human dysfunction. When we first formed DLOTA we were called Bay of Pigs, but that was taken. I mentioned the song as a band name and the rest of the fellers said okay. It has an ironic, heroic quality to it and I kind of dig it.

Loren • April 25, 2014

Druglords of the Avenues
Druglords of the Avenues

Related features

Pulley and Fire Sale - Double interview

Interviews • December 6, 2025

When two bands come together on a split release, it’s more than just sharing music on vinyl. It’s a conversation in sound. Pulley and Fire Sale recently teamed up for a split 7" through Negative Progression Records that showcases both of their unique voices while still feeling like a cohesive … Read more

Guest Column: Allegedly Records

Regular Columns • December 3, 2025

Music touches the heart and soothes the soul. Through personal connection and community it reaches far beyond a listening experience. While it plays a role in our overall well-being, though, it's only part of the bigger equation. Through the mutual connections that music has brought us at SPB, we learned … Read more

Endless Mike and the Beagle Club

One Question Interviews • November 26, 2025

Mike Miller (Endless Mike and the Beagle Club) SPB; Why “The Beagle Club”? Do you have a favorite breed of dog? Miller: Looks like we get two questions for the One Question Interview. Love it. Why the Beagle Club? My friend Joe used to live on Beagle Club Road. At … Read more

PANEL

One Question Interviews • November 25, 2025

Annie Sparrows (PANEL) SPB: What does the name PANEL mean to you? Sparrows: I feel like PANEL is an aesthetically pleasing 5 letter word with multiple meanings that, in different contexts, appeal to me. "Panel of experts," as in everyone's a critic. "Wood panel," as in something nice looking that … Read more

Cheap Perfume

One Question Interviews • November 24, 2025

Jane No (Cheap Perfume - guitar/co-vocals) SPB: How has the band’s mission or message evolved since when you first formed? Jane No: When we started, our focus was feminist rage, calling out sexism and celebrating women’s power. That’s still who we are, but over time we’ve zoomed out to see … Read more

Related news

Red Scare Signs Druglords Of The Avenues

Posted in Labels on August 1, 2008

More from this section

Endless Mike and the Beagle Club

One Question Interviews • November 26, 2025

Mike Miller (Endless Mike and the Beagle Club) SPB; Why “The Beagle Club”? Do you have a favorite breed of dog? Miller: Looks like we get two questions for the One Question Interview. Love it. Why the Beagle Club? My friend Joe used to live on Beagle Club Road. At … Read more

PANEL

One Question Interviews • November 25, 2025

Annie Sparrows (PANEL) SPB: What does the name PANEL mean to you? Sparrows: I feel like PANEL is an aesthetically pleasing 5 letter word with multiple meanings that, in different contexts, appeal to me. "Panel of experts," as in everyone's a critic. "Wood panel," as in something nice looking that … Read more

Cheap Perfume

One Question Interviews • November 24, 2025

Jane No (Cheap Perfume - guitar/co-vocals) SPB: How has the band’s mission or message evolved since when you first formed? Jane No: When we started, our focus was feminist rage, calling out sexism and celebrating women’s power. That’s still who we are, but over time we’ve zoomed out to see … Read more