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)
Sleep Is the Enemy
Danko Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Relax is not a word I understand it makes no sense to me
Attack never bend shit man you should do something
Don't think that time stands still it's passing you by meanwhile I'm ready
Sleep is the enemy sleep is the enemy
Good morning how you doin hit the bottom rock the cradle
Fear is what needs to be put to sleep out of reach
And when you decide you've got to do it and move it you can feel it
Sleep is the enemy sleep is the enemy
Stay still be calm relax screw that pull the alarm
Make the waves roll the dice suck the life beat on the brat
Cut the crap turn the white black
You know what I'm talking about
I'm ready when I wake up I'll take on everything I'm made of gasoline
Relax is not a word I understand it makes no sense to me
Sleep is the enemy sleep is the enemy I'm ready
The lyrics of Danko Jones's song "Sleep Is the Enemy" convey a sense of urgency and a desire to take on anything that comes one's way. The opening lines suggest that the singer is ready to face the world as soon as they wake up and that they are filled with energy and vigor, represented by the metaphor of being made of gasoline. The line "Relax is not a word I understand it makes no sense to me" reinforces this sentiment, as the singer seems to reject the idea of slowing down or taking it easy. Instead, they advocate for attacking challenges head-on and not giving in, as seen in the line "Attack never bend shit man you should do something." The lyrics suggest that time is passing quickly, and the singer is determined to make the most of it, as they repeat the line "meanwhile I'm ready."
The chorus of the song, "Sleep is the enemy," reinforces the message that rest and relaxation are impediments to success and that one must be constantly vigilant and ready to take on any challenge. The second verse continues with this message of determination and effort, with lines like "Skim the fat get the payoff stay lean keep the blood clean and get ready." The lyrics suggest a focus on being efficient and productive, while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The line "Fear is what needs to be put to sleep out of reach" further supports the theme of overcoming obstacles and not giving in to fear.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sleep Is the Enemy" convey a sense of urgency, determination, and a rejection of complacency. The song is a call to action to take on challenges and make the most of one's time, with a sense of energy and drive that is conveyed through the metaphor of being made of gasoline.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm ready when I wake up I'll take on everything I'm made of gasoline
As soon as I wake up, I have the energy to tackle anything that comes my way.
Relax is not a word I understand it makes no sense to me
The concept of relaxing is foreign to me, and I don't see the point in it.
Attack never bend shit man you should do something
Don't give up or back down when faced with a challenge; instead, take action.
Don't think that time stands still it's passing you by meanwhile I'm ready
Time waits for no one, so it's important to be prepared and ready for whatever comes your way.
Sleep is the enemy sleep is the enemy
Sleeping is the enemy of productivity and progress, and should be avoided as much as possible.
Good morning how you doin hit the bottom rock the cradle
Get up and face the day with enthusiasm, even if things seem challenging or difficult.
Skim the fat get the payoff stay lean keep the blood clean and get ready
Cut out the unnecessary or extraneous things in life, and focus on what really matters to reach your goals.
Fear is what needs to be put to sleep out of reach
To succeed, you must overcome your fears and push them out of your mind.
And when you decide you've got to do it and move it you can feel it
When you take action towards your goals, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Stay still be calm relax screw that pull the alarm
Don't waste time being passive or calm; instead, take action and make things happen.
Make the waves roll the dice suck the life beat on the brat
Take risks and be bold in pursuing what you want out of life.
Cut the crap turn the white black
Get rid of anything that is holding you back or distracting you from your goals.
You know what I'm talking about
I'm speaking directly to you, and I know that you understand what I'm saying.
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@esavahaaho
awesome song from start to finish. always happy to hear this.
@connectedhistory
Seriously underrated band
@Fabzil
On my last year of University, I had like 3 times the work I usually have in previous year. I didn't had time to sleep a lot in the week. This song was my wake-up-ringtone
@satanicaleve
It has that slight feel to it yes yes it does.
@darkglori2229
best alarm ever
@Heyyjoh
Insanely good.
@TheKajizler
Fuck yeah.
@rewamen
been awake for 60 hours now, starting to get tired, thank god for ritalin
@vnl89
Thank god for speed
@whosursulahaverbecklookitu7895
vnl89 I prefer the smooth motivation of amphetamine salts. 90 mg of adderall always does the trick. They're both amphetamines, but with the adderall you don't feel battery acid from a 2 liter pulsating through the veins in your temples. It just feels cleaner.