Formed in 1996, they played consistently for two years in and around the north-eastern United States and Canada, opening for The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, Blonde Redhead, The Make-Up, The Dirtbombs, The Chrome Cranks and The Demolition Doll Rods. Originally they did not even want to release an album opting to have the band's live reputation spread via word of mouth.
Eventually, the trio relented and put out a self-titled six song e.p. on Sonic Unyon records in 1998. In 1999 they released the self-produced My Love Is Bold E.P. and achieved national exposure with the single "Bounce". They were nominated for a Juno Award in 2000 for Best Alternative Album.
In 2001 Bad Taste Records released a compilation of the band's early recordings, demos, and b-sides entitled, I'm Alive and On Fire. A 5 week European tour followed to promote the release including shows at the Roskilde festival in Denmark and Hultsfred festival in Sweden. By the end of the year they had returned 2 more times, most notably as main support for the Backyard Babies.
2002: Born A Lion
In 2002 they released their first full-length album, Born A Lion, produced by Bill Bell, on Bad Taste Records in Europe and on Universal in Canada. The band did several European tours and two Canadian tours to promote the record including an unprecedented repeat performance at Roskilde and the now legendary return to Hultsfred as well as notable stops to Pukkelpop in Belgium and The Lowlands festival in the Netherlands. They also managed to grab the opening slot with The Rolling Stones on their "40 Licks" World tour kick-off show at the Palais Royale in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 16, 2002.
2003: We Sweat Blood
2003 saw the release of We Sweat Blood, produced by Matt DeMatteo, and the group taking a heavier approach to their hard-rock sound. More touring followed that included Europe and Japan. They were also nominated for two Junos: Best Rock Album (Born a Lion) and Best video (Lovercall).
While success was happening abroad, home relations with Universal Canada had soured and the band was dropped mid-album run. Explanations from the label were vague, but speculations point to Jones' February 2004 appearance on CBC Sunday where Jones appeared as a pro-downloader opposite then CRIA president, Brian Robertson. Getting dropped from Universal Canada did little to stop the group as they continued to tour heavily for the rest of the year well into 2004 with bands like Turbonegro, Sepultura and The Bronx. While touring they managed to pick up another Juno nomination for Best Rock Album (We Sweat Blood) and tour Australia as well as more European dates including Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany and Download, Leeds and Reading in England.
2005-2006: Sleep Is The Enemy
Early 2005 was taken up by recording the follow-up to We Sweat Blood, but not without a series of tours amidst recording that brought the band to the Netherlands, Germany and South Africa. In April, American label, Razor & Tie released We Sweat Blood and the band set out to America in support as well.[6] Working two releases simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic proved quite hard and the worldwide release for the upcoming album, Sleep Is The Enemy, produced by Matt DeMatteo, was pushed back to 2006.
During the summer and fall of 2005 the band toured America heavily with two of We Sweat Blood's singles being second most added to active rock radio in America ("Lovercall" and "Forget My Name"). Stateside tours with Flogging Molly, Our Lady Peace, The Supersuckers, and The (International) Noise Conspiracy followed. Prior to the release of Sleep Is The Enemy drummer Damon Richardson left the band, citing fatigue as a reason for leaving. He was replaced by Dan Cornelius.
In January and February 2006, under new Canadian label, Aquarius Records, the band set out to do their first Canadian tour in almost 4 years opening up for Nickelback, With the release of Sleep Is The Enemy came more touring including America and a headlining European club tour with support from Brant Bjork & The Bros.
The summer saw them perform at Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park, With Full Force and Wacken Open Air in Germany; Hellfest and Furiafest in France, Metaltown in Sweden, Pinkpop and Lowlands in The Netherlands, Tuska Festival, Ruisrock and Ankkarock in Finland, Gampel in Switzerland and Wireless in the UK among at least a dozen more. In October 2006, a 2 week tour of Norway saw the band play with ex-Kyuss front-man, John Garcia who appeared on the song "Invisible" off Sleep Is The Enemy.
2008: Never Too Loud
Their fourth album, Never Too Loud was released on February 27, 2008[9] and produced by Nick Raskulinecz. The album yielded three singles, "Code Of The Road" followed by "Take Me Home" and "King Of Magazines". A major city tour of Europe in April 2008 was followed by a Canadian tour in May and a three month stint in Europe playing almost 30 dates on the festival circuit that included Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park and With Full Force in Germany; Bospop and Lowlands in The Netherlands; Sziget Festival in Hungary; Rabarock in Estonia; Provinssi Rock in Finland; and Eurockeennes and Hellfest in France, where Jones got to sing on stage with one of his favorite bands, Death Angel for the song, "Bored". In the fall/winter of 2008 Danko Jones toured England, Germany, France and Benelux opening for Motörhead.
2009: B-Sides
On February 3, 2009 B-Sides was released in Europe only - a collection of previously released b-sides from European singles and unreleased tracks that spanned 1996 to 2008. On February 24 they commenced a 7 week tour in support of the release that spanned The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France and the UK with support coming from The Backyard Babies, Winnebego Deal and The Black Spiders. The CD yielded the singles "Sugar High" and "My Problems (Are Your Problems Now)". A greatest hits compilation titled This Is Danko Jones was released on April 7 the same year in Canada only.
In the summer the band managed a few festival appearances, most notably, the Sziget Festival in Hungary on the main stage with Faith No More and The Offspring, as well as Huntenpop in The Netherlands, Wintherthur and Gampel Open Air in Switzerland, Parken Festival in Norway and Jurassic Rock in Finland. In January and February 2010 the band toured across Canada with Guns N' Roses and Sebastian Bach. In March the same year they toured the United States with Clutch.
2010: Below the Belt
Their fifth album Below the Belt was released on May 11, 2010 and produced by Matt DeMatteo. The album's first single, "Full of Regret", features Elijah Wood, Lemmy Kilmister, Selma Blair and Mike Watt in the accompanying video. It debuted at #36 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks in November. It is also featured on EA's NHL 11 soundtrack. The second single, "Had Enough", has Ralph Macchio appearing in the accompanying video.
On June 8, 2011 Danko Jones announced on the band's website that drummer Dan Cornelius was no longer with the band. In the same statement Danko Jones said Atom Willard had joined as a replacement. In a March 2012 question-and-answer session with fans on Twitter Danko Jones said: "Dan's time with the band had run its course but it was completely mutual from both sides. An amicable split."
2012: New Album
In early 2012 Danko Jones revealed the band was working on a new album, posting footage of the writing process on the band's YouTube channel. Jones said the album was likely to be out in the European fall (autumn). He added a book and DVD about the band's history would also be released in 2012.
Albums
Born a Lion (2002) (Bad Taste Records / Universal Canada)
We Sweat Blood (2003) (Bad Taste Records / Razor & Tie)
Sleep Is the Enemy (2006) (Bad Taste Records | Aquarius Records)
Never Too Loud (2008) (Bad Taste Records / Aquarius Records)
Below the Belt (2010) (Bad Taste Records / Aquarius Records)
EPs and Others
Sugar Chocolate 7" (1998) (Sonic Unyon)
Danko Jones EP (1998) (Sonic Unyon)
My Love Is Bold (1999) (Sound King / Outside Music)
I'm Alive and on Fire (2001) (Bad Taste Records)
Ritual of the Savage 10" (split with Gluecifer & Peter Pan Speedrock) (2003) (Drunken Maria / Suburban)
B-Sides (2009) (Bad Taste Records)
This Is Danko Jones (2009) (Canadian-only greatest hits release) (Emd Int'l Records)
Having Fun on Stage with Danko Jones 7 (2009) (Yeah Right! Records)
Mouth to Mouth (2011) (digital-only release)
Bring On the Mountain (2012) (DVD)
Moderation
Danko Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′ll never be enough
Put too much in front of me
And I'll be wanting more stuff
I need a lesson in self control
Can you make that stick?
If you even try to
I really couldn′t give a shit
I can't take just one bite
I can′t handle moderation
You give an inch while I′m taking a mile
I can't handle moderation
I never get satisfied
I can′t handle moderation
They made me see somebody
'Cause they said I got a lot of problems
I don′t think I'm too far down
I haven′t hit rock bottom
Don't just stand there say something
Like it doesn't really matter
I think something′s broken
′Cause nothings getting better
I can't handle moderation
I can′t take just one bite
I can't handle moderation
You give an inch but I′m taking a mile
I can't handle moderation
I never get satisfied
I can′t handle moderation
Just when I think I'm getting closer
Something gets in the way and I start over
And I know what I've got to do
But I′m always getting screwed
If you could see what I go through, you know
I′ve reached my breaking point
I'm about to snap
Don′t try to calm me down
Unless you wanted a slap
I know I broke my promise
But I've paid my dues
You want me to take it slow
But I don′t want to
No, I don't want to ′cause
I can't handle moderation
I can't take just one bite
I can′t handle moderation
You give an inch but I′m taking a mile
I can't handle moderation
I never get satisfied
I can′t handle moderation
I can't handle moderation
I can′t handle moderation
I can't handle moderation
In "Moderation" by Danko Jones, the lyrics shed light on the singer's struggle with self-control and his insatiable desire for more. The opening lines suggest that when faced with difficulties, the singer finds that whatever he has is never enough. He craves more, constantly wanting new things and experiences. He acknowledges that he lacks self-control and admits to needing a lesson in moderation.
The repeated refrain, "I can't handle moderation," becomes the central theme of the song, emphasizing the singer's inability to be content with just a little. He cannot take only one bite or stop himself from taking things to the extreme. This inability to moderate his desires and impulses leaves him constantly unsatisfied.
The lyrics also touch on the singer's awareness that others perceive him as having problems. He implies that he hasn't hit rock bottom yet but also notes that something feels broken and that things are not improving. This suggests a sense of frustration and a recognition that his lack of moderation is causing him difficulties.
The verse about always starting over and the singer feeling constantly screwed highlights his repeated attempts to change his behavior and break free from his urges. Despite knowing what he needs to do to improve, he finds himself in the same cycle, ultimately reaching a breaking point where he may snap if someone tries to calm him down.
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, reinforcing the singer's struggle with moderation. His frustration and dissatisfaction with his inability to be satisfied with what he has become evident. The lyrics suggest that he has tried to change but continues to crave more. The repetition of the line emphasizes the singer's ongoing battle with moderation and his realization that he cannot handle it.
Line by Line Meaning
When the going gets tough
When faced with challenges or difficulties
It′ll never be enough
No matter what, it will never satisfy
Put too much in front of me
Present me with too many options or opportunities
And I'll be wanting more stuff
And I will always desire more
I need a lesson in self control
I require guidance on restraining myself
Can you make that stick?
Can you ensure that the lesson is effective?
If you even try to
Even if you attempt to do so
I really couldn′t give a shit
I truly do not care
I can't handle moderation
I am incapable of practicing self-restraint
I can't take just one bite
I cannot be satisfied with a small portion
You give an inch while I′m taking a mile
You extend a small concession, but I exploit it to the fullest
I never get satisfied
I am never content
They made me see somebody
They forced me to consult with a professional
'Cause they said I got a lot of problems
Because they claimed I have numerous issues
I don′t think I'm too far down
I do not believe I have reached rock bottom
I haven′t hit rock bottom
I have not reached my lowest point
Don't just stand there say something
Do not remain silent, speak up
Like it doesn't really matter
As if it holds no significance
I think something′s broken
I believe something is not functioning correctly
′Cause nothings getting better
Because nothing is improving
Just when I think I'm getting closer
Exactly at the moment I feel I am making progress
Something gets in the way and I start over
An obstacle appears, causing me to begin anew
And I know what I've got to do
I am aware of what action I need to take
But I′m always getting screwed
Yet, I am consistently being taken advantage of
If you could see what I go through, you know
If you were able to witness my experiences, you would understand
I′ve reached my breaking point
I have reached a state of extreme frustration or stress
I'm about to snap
I am close to losing control
Don′t try to calm me down
Do not attempt to pacify me
Unless you wanted a slap
Unless you desire to be struck
I know I broke my promise
I acknowledge that I failed to keep my word
But I've paid my dues
However, I have endured the consequences
You want me to take it slow
You wish for me to proceed with caution
But I don′t want to
But I have no desire to do so
No, I don't want to ′cause
No, I do not want to because
I can't handle moderation
I am unable to practice restraint
I can′t handle moderation
I am incapable of maintaining balance
I can't handle moderation
I cannot manage self-control
I can't handle moderation
I struggle with avoiding excessiveness
Writer(s): John Louis Christopher Calabrese, Rishi James Ganjoo, John Damon Richardson
Contributed by Austin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Juliejulz318
This guy fucking rocks!
@RedChalklines
When this song plays in the car it's just hard to stick to the speedlimit lol.
@blakemaxfield4267
They do rock
@red13emerald
@RedChalklines if I would ever make a roadtrip through the US (which will be hard while I live in germany), DJ will deliver a huge part of the soundtrack for it, they make the perfect music for driving!
@V2FRANK
Great
@BRNNDO30
yusss. Danko Jones is siiiiick.
@RedChalklines
@red13emerald Indeed man! I'd totally join up for a roadtrip trough USA with Danko Jones pumping trough the speakers. But yeah, I'm from the Netherlands so we're sharing the same problem. :p
@netulv
i do now, thank you very much!
@suurikampela
Who else hears: "I can't handle my erection"...?