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)
I Think Bad Thoughts
Danko Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got no remorse, no regrets never happy endings on these dark sets
And if you wanna get down I can go down as low as you wanna get
I wouldn't try to push me it'll only leave you with regret (don't test me)
I can rip you off, and steal all your cash
Sucker punch you in the face, stand back and laugh
Leave you stranded as fast as a heart attack
I can break your heart at the drop of a hat
Stab you in the back, in two minutes flat
Screw your girl in the back of my Cadillac
I think bad thoughts
Take this to the streets, finish it, flush it down the toilet like you're taking a piss
It should be good to see for a change just a day how the other half lives
And when I take you out I'll stare you down make sure you're getting nervous
You won't understand that's how it is as a knight in Satan's service
I can rip you off, and steal all your cash
Sucker punch you in the face, stand back and laugh
Leave you stranded as fast as a heart attack
All day I think bad thoughts
I can break your heart at the drop of a hat
Stab you in the back in two minutes flat
Screw your girl in the back of my Cadillac
I think bad thoughts
I think bad thoughts
All day and all night long
I think bad thoughts
Don't care what you think's wrong
If you wanna judge my lifestyle
I'd love to see how you live
Feel free to cast your stones
Don't cry when you're found bleeding
In a heartbeat, I'll turn you white as a sheet begging for mercy on your goddamn knees
It'll be hard to keep from laughing watching you cry will make my week
Just test me, please test me
Push a button, pull a lever, trick or treat
I'm asking "do you have the stuff?" to find out if I can fuck, you, up
I can rip you off, and steal all your cash
Sucker punch you in the face stand back and laugh
Leave you stranded as fast as a heart attack
I think bad thoughts
All day and all night long
I think bad thoughts
Don't care what you think's wrong
I can tell them lies 'til you're left in disgrace
Kick you when you're down, and spit in your face
Lead you on 'til you're lost without a trace
I think bad thoughts
All day and all night long
I think bad thoughts
Don't care what you think's wrong
I can break your heart at the drop of a hat
Stab you in the back in two minutes flat
Screw your girl in the back of my Cadillac
I think bad thoughts
The lyrics of Danko Jones's song "I Think Bad Thoughts" present a defiant, aggressive persona who seems to delight in causing harm and chaos. The song's narrator admits to having done things they "shouldn't be proud of" and claims to have "no remorse, no regrets." They assert their willingness to "go down as low" as their counterpart in any interaction and warn against attempting to "push" them.
As the lyrics unfold, the tone becomes increasingly menacing. The singer declares their ability to "rip you off, and steal all your cash," "sucker punch you in the face, stand back and laugh," or "screw your girl in the back of my Cadillac." They depict themselves as a "knight in Satan's service," reveling in their ability to terrorize others.
While the song's lyrics are undoubtedly provocative and confrontational, they may also be read as a commentary on the performative aspects of toxic masculinity. The singer's macho posturing and insistence on their own toughness may be seen as a facade or an attempt to cover up their own vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the lyrics seem to acknowledge the potential consequences of their behavior, such as being "left in disgrace" or "lost without a trace."
Line by Line Meaning
I'll admit it I've done a few things that I shouldn't be proud of
Acknowledging that I have done things in the past that I know I shouldn't have done
I got no remorse, no regrets never happy endings on these dark sets
Feeling no remorse or regret for my actions, knowing that these actions often lead to negative consequences
And if you wanna get down I can go down as low as you wanna get
I am capable of stooping to any level if you dare to challenge me
I wouldn't try to push me it'll only leave you with regret (don't test me)
Warning that attempting to provoke me will only result in your own regret
I can rip you off, and steal all your cash
I am capable of stealing from you and leaving you with nothing
Sucker punch you in the face, stand back and laugh
I have no qualms about physically attacking you and finding it amusing
Leave you stranded as fast as a heart attack
I can quickly leave you alone and helpless
All day I think bad thoughts
My mind is constantly filled with harmful and negative thoughts
I can break your heart at the drop of a hat
I am capable of causing deep emotional pain to you with little to no provocation
Stab you in the back, in two minutes flat
I am capable of betraying you without hesitation and in a very short amount of time
Screw your girl in the back of my Cadillac
I am capable of engaging in sexual activity with your significant other without any regard for your feelings
Take this to the streets, finish it, flush it down the toilet like you're taking a piss
Taking the fight to the streets and disposing of it in a way that is disrespectful and degrading
It should be good to see for a change just a day how the other half lives
It would be interesting for me to see what it is like to live a life that is vastly different from my own
And when I take you out I'll stare you down make sure you're getting nervous
When I am out with you, I will intentionally intimidate you and make you feel uncomfortable
You won't understand that's how it is as a knight in Satan's service
Recognizing that my dark and harmful behavior is a direct result of my allegiance to a dark force
All day and all night long
Constantly having negative thoughts and desires
Don't care what you think's wrong
I am unconcerned with what society deems to be right or wrong
If you wanna judge my lifestyle
If you want to criticize the way I live my life
I'd love to see how you live
I am curious about the way in which you live your life and what motivates you
Feel free to cast your stones
You are welcome to criticize me and my actions
Don't cry when you're found bleeding
If you provoke me or challenge me, do not be surprised when you face the negative consequences of your actions
In a heartbeat, I'll turn you white as a sheet begging for mercy on your goddamn knees
I am capable of inflicting great fear and pain on you, reducing you to begging for mercy
It'll be hard to keep from laughing watching you cry will make my week
Seeing you suffer and cry will bring me great amusement and satisfaction
Just test me, please test me
Challenging you to dare to provoke me and see what happens
Push a button, pull a lever, trick or treat
I am ready to attack you in a variety of ways, using any means necessary to achieve my goal
I'm asking "do you have the stuff?" to find out if I can fuck, you, up
Asking if you have what it takes to challenge me, and indicating that I am willing to harm you if necessary
I can tell them lies 'til you're left in disgrace
I am capable of manipulating and deceiving you to the point where you are left in a state of shame and humiliation
Kick you when you're down, and spit in your face
I have no problem with treating you cruelly and adding insult to injury
Lead you on 'til you're lost without a trace
I am capable of misleading you and abandoning you entirely
Contributed by Alexis B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tamasschumann
Elijah Wood, Ralph Macchio, and Jena Malone - either the budget was extreme, or Danko is friends with these guys :D
@mattpotts2014
Danko jones are easily one of the best bands I've ever seen live. Utterly insane sound from a 3 piece band. Gangsters 🤘🤘🔥🔥
@tekubus
I'm thinking you haven't seen any great bands.
@mattpotts2014
@tekubus I'm thinking you havent. For a 3 piece band danko is absolutely amazing. I'd be willing to bet I've seen more bands than you lol
@saanasalonen8684
@Matt Potts let the 13yr old keyboard warrior be. he gonna cry next if you dont lmao ive never seen danko jones live but i have seen his live gigs videos and they are fucking awesome! someone described their music as dudebro rock and i think its accurate but i have to say that im a huge fan of dudebro rock in that case! their music is just cool af and i never got why they didnt make it on the mainstream arena in rock cause this is top tier rock and roll!
@DonnaLovesTJ
I LOOOOVE RALPH MACCHIO <3
@GardnerGoldsmith
YEAAAAAAHHHH! Danko! Get the Device! Dan is BACK! But, the Karate Kid dead? NOOO! -- Great video, everybody! Totally awesome! I want the TV series NOW!!!
@daniellaclaudiajp
No words. Wood and Macchio together!
@phenixygrey6537
I love Villain!Ralph Macchio in Had enough but on the good guys side, fighting and "dying", love it so much too.
@georghagglund9338
I finally got this CD, Below The Belt, just this week brand new. Thing is Danko Jones are still active with their latest "Fire Music" though. Don't miss it!