the Avoiders
Interview by Christopher M. Kubick
CK - You guys are the Avoiders from Suffolk County, New York. Where in Suffolk County did the band form and how did the band form.... who is in the band... and how long has the band been together?
John - The band formed in my basement in Ridge, NY. My old band broke up and my friend Joey wanted to start something new with me. We have been together, about five years.
John:vocals
Craig:guitar
Dan:bass
Jesus:drums
Dan - I was offered to play bass in the band from, the then guitar player, Justin. We've had a few member changes but for the most part it's been John, Craig, and myself throughout.
CK - Where's the best slice of pizza in Suffolk County?
John-Little Vincents
Craig-Pazzo! Woodfired Pizza
Dan-Papa Nick’s
CK - Do you guys read comic books... what comic books are you into?
John - not really. Although, I do enjoy movies based on comics
CK - The Avoiders took a hiatus for a little while. Are you guys back temporarily or are you planning an onslaught ?
John - We back baby!
Craig - We found Jesus and now we back! Praise The Lord!
Dan - Not only are we back, but new material in the works.
CK - Have any of you ever been to McNulty's Ice Cream Parlor in Long Island? What's all the fuss about? Is the ice cream of that good?
John - Never been.
Craig - Yeah. They gave me the wrong flavor so I punched them in the nose.
CK - You guys released an album called "Worthless". Personally I thought it was one of the greatest albums I've ever heard in my life. Was that material written in a certain time frame was that material from over the years? Who writes the lyrics and music?
John - Thanks a lot, it means a lot to us. Most of the songs were written over the course of a couple of years. Most of the music is written by Craig and most of the lyrics are written by me.
Craig - Yeah some music I had already written for a while before we thought about a new record and some were just written on the spot.
Dan - We had some time in between our first album and with different members. So “Worthless” was probably our most intact lineup to that point and were able to buckle down and write more music without the fuss of people coming and going.
CK - Where's the furthest away the avoiders have played?
The furthest we have played is Delaware
CK - What's the last album CD or cassette that you bought?
John - I can't remember the last time I bought a CD with all of the streaming services available these days. The last new record that I listened to is the last one that Refused put out.
Craig - Agony Kings’ album. Those guys rule. Also, Like no Tomorrow! Another killer band. I did stream the new Skum City record. Everyone should pick that one up
CK - Those of you who smoke the marijuana, what's your favorite rolling paper to use?
John - Hempire
Craig -Dutch Master all the way
Dan - I smoke hemp flower and roll with EZ Wider
CK - Do you think bands with in the scene or more political or less political than they were when the avoided formed?
John- I think in the short time that we have been around I feel like Bands are much more political than they were before trump took office. We just write songs about how we feel and what's going on in our lives with the occasional funny song thrown in every now and again.
Craig- I think a lot of punk music is based around politics and taking down the government. Like john said more bands are really talking now that trump is in office. It's good to hear young bands and old still voicing their opinions
Dan- we've played with decent amount of bands in our 5 years as a band and when trump took office I feel like more people were expressing what was going on around them in there music more than before. I also feel like more bands were sprouting because of it which is always good when people are making new music.
Thank you guys so much I really appreciate it
Carpazine Magazine Issue 22 Featuring Exclusive Interview with The Avoiders
Carpazine Art Magazine
Carpazine Art Magazine Issue Number 38 Featuring Doug Firmino! More: Sherry Karver, Valerie Patterson, Randi Matushevitz, Dominick Conde, Fernando Carpaneda, Melinda R. Smith, Collin J.Rae, Milwaukee Graffiti, Somos/We Are: Latinx Artists of Long Island at The Long Island Museum, The Hive Gallery: Line 12, The Sisters and many more!