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

Commerce or Amusement? #1

Regular Columns / Commerce or Amusement? • June 9, 2026

Are You In The Music Business? Or Just Involved In Music? Interview Series #1 Featuring Jordan Stamm of Drunk Dial Records CC: Hello Jordan! Could you start off by telling the readers a little bit about yourself and Drunk Dial Records? Do you recall how you and I met? JS: … Read more

J Mau & The Kiss Off

ASL interpreter

Interviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • June 8, 2026

There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative … Read more

Crash Outfit

One Question Interviews • June 5, 2026

Paul Warner (Crash Outfit) SPB: How much space in your home is dedicated to music (media or instruments)? Warner: I would say it equals the exact dimensions of a well-fed woolly mammoth. Read more

General Chaos

One Question Interviews • June 3, 2026

Constantin (General Chaos) SPB: What is a lesson you learned from the making-of your first album that directly influenced how you approached album #2? Constantin: I think when we came into studio the second time, we already had an idea of what to expect since we knew the studio and … Read more

Bat Leather

One Question Interviews • June 1, 2026

Cory (Bat Leather) SPB: What is your favorite music-related film or documentary? Cory: It’s a tie between The Color of Noise and Some Kind of Monster. TCON is possibly the greatest snapshot of the ‘90s noise rock scene. Great interviews and amazing footage. SKOM….Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but watching … Read more

Related news

Druglords of the Avenues (and sidewalks)

Posted in Records on January 25, 2026

Red Scare Signs Druglords Of The Avenues

Posted in Labels on August 1, 2008

More from this section

Crash Outfit

One Question Interviews • June 5, 2026

Paul Warner (Crash Outfit) SPB: How much space in your home is dedicated to music (media or instruments)? Warner: I would say it equals the exact dimensions of a well-fed woolly mammoth. Read more

General Chaos

One Question Interviews • June 3, 2026

Constantin (General Chaos) SPB: What is a lesson you learned from the making-of your first album that directly influenced how you approached album #2? Constantin: I think when we came into studio the second time, we already had an idea of what to expect since we knew the studio and … Read more

Bat Leather

One Question Interviews • June 1, 2026

Cory (Bat Leather) SPB: What is your favorite music-related film or documentary? Cory: It’s a tie between The Color of Noise and Some Kind of Monster. TCON is possibly the greatest snapshot of the ‘90s noise rock scene. Great interviews and amazing footage. SKOM….Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but watching … Read more