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)
Gonna Be a Fight Tonight
Danko Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lies have formed around me [?] were seen in separate paths
If one side says it's down in white, the other's up in black
My tension's scarred and [?] and there ain't no goin' back
One goes down, I'm happy, but I won't be makin' it back
[Pre-Chorus]
I feel the pressure on my chest
[Chorus]
When the sun goes down tonight
Street lights are on, we'll fight
It's gonna light my way
Before our page be thrown
From twilight up to dawn
I wanna scream in the air!
There's gonna be a fight tonight!
Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey!
[Verse 2]
The time has been decided, and word is gonna [?]
It's too late now to stop it, a brawl is goin' down
Now people started gatherin', no time for feelin' sad
Sweat turns into blood and good mixed up with bad
[Pre-Chorus]
I feel the pressure on my chest
Anticipation in the air
I'm supercharged!
Let's let the [?] come in
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
There's gonna be a fight tonight!
Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey! Hey-Hey!
Woah-oh-Oh-oh, oooh-oooh-oooh
Woah-oh-Oh-oh, oooh-oooh-oooh
Woah-oh-Oh-oh, oooh-oooh-oooh
Woah-oh-Oh-oh, oooh-oooh-woah!
There's gonna be a fight tonight!
The lyrics of Danko Jones's song Gonna Be a Fight Tonight paint a picture of a violent confrontation between two groups of people, with the singer caught in the middle. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer feeling trapped between two opposing views or factions, with no way to go back. The tension is palpable, and the lyrics indicate that violence is inevitable.
In the pre-chorus, the singer feels the pressure and anticipation that always come before a fight. The chorus provides the central theme of the song, with the singer acknowledging that a fight is coming and that it will be intense. Despite this, the singer is excited and feels a sense of purpose in the impending violence. The repeated refrain "There's gonna be a fight tonight" underscores the inevitability of the conflict and adds to the sense of excitement and anticipation.
In the second verse, the fight is no longer avoidable, and the singer describes the gathering of people who have come to watch or participate. The tone of the lyrics becomes more visceral, with blood and sweat and good mixing with bad. The pre-chorus repeats, indicating that the singer is supercharged and ready for the fight. The chorus repeats twice more, with an added exclamation indicating that the fight is going to happen and that the singer is ready.
Overall, the lyrics of Gonna Be a Fight Tonight celebrate the thrill and excitement of violence, even as they acknowledge the danger and negative consequences. The song speaks to the visceral thrill of physical confrontation and embodies a sense of unbridled aggression.
Line by Line Meaning
The lies have formed around me
Deception has surrounded me
[?] were seen in separate paths
Different opinions have been formed
If one side says it's down in white, the other's up in black
Two opposing sides have taken their stance
My tension's scarred and [?] and there ain't no goin' back
I am tense and ready for the fight with no turning back
One goes down, I'm happy, but I won't be makin' it back
I am willing to fight to the death if necessary
I feel the pressure on my chest
I am anxious and feel the tension of the situation
Anticipation in the air
Everyone can feel the coming fight
When the sun goes down tonight
The coming fight will happen in the dark
Street lights are on, we'll fight
We will take the fight to the streets under the streetlights
It's gonna light my way
The fight will be my guiding light
Before our page be thrown
Before we give up or surrender
From twilight up to dawn
We will fight until the morning light
I wanna scream in the air!
I am eager and ready for the fight
There's gonna be a fight tonight!
We are going to fight tonight
The time has been decided, and word is gonna [?]
The time and place have been determined and word has spread
It's too late now to stop it, a brawl is goin' down
It is too late to avoid the inevitable fight, a brawl will occur
Now people started gatherin', no time for feelin' sad
People are gathering to witness the fight, there is no time for remorse
Sweat turns into blood and good mixed up with bad
The fight becomes violent and chaotic, good and bad become blurred
I'm supercharged!
I am energized and ready to fight
Let's let the [?] come in
Let's start the fight and see what happens
Woah-oh-Oh-oh, oooh-oooh-oooh
Vocalization and excitement for the fight
Woah-oh-Oh-oh, oooh-oooh-woah!
More excitement and anticipation for the fight
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.