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)
Sold My Soul
Danko Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard the sound of a hellhound
It's never going away
Gonna be here 'til my dying day
'Cause the wheel has stopped
And everyone's been bought
I got my price tagged, too
Started smart, but
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I sold my soul, and it was easy
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I sold my soul, and it was easy
Found of the legends of the crossroads
Found of the legend of no for no
Misunderstood what I sold
Now everything's up in smoke
Willi Brown, Johnny Shines
I've seen all the twenty-nine
I do wrong, you do right
Ha ha ha
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I sold my soul, and it was easy
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I sold my soul, and it was easy
If you wanna live the life
See your name up in lights
Go when the clock strikes twelve
With a roaching to sack
When you strum your guitar
He'll come out from the dark
Hand him your six string
Take it back and do your thing
The day the deal went down
I heard the sound of a hellhound
It's never going away
Gonna be here 'til my dying day
'Cause the wheel has stopped
And everyone's been bought
I got my price tagged, too
Started smart, but
Wooh
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I sold my soul, and it was easy
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I sold my soul, and it was easy
The lyrics to Danko Jones's song "Sold My Soul" follow the classic myth of selling one's soul to the devil in exchange for success and fame. The song talks about the day the deal went down and the sound of a "hellhound," which represents the devil. The lyrics suggest that once the deal is made, it's like being hunted by the devil for the rest of one's life. The line "I got my price tagged, too, started smart, but" suggests that the singer was initially hesitant about making the deal, but ultimately gave in to the temptation of achieving success.
The chorus of the song - "I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line, I sold my soul, and it was easy" - emphasizes the idea that making the deal was a simple and straightforward process. The lyrics also reference the legend of the crossroads and the "twenty-nine," which are both part of the myth of selling one's soul. The singer mentions "Willie Brown" and "Johnny Shines," who are both blues musicians who have been associated with the myth.
The song also has a message about the consequences of selling one's soul. The singer feels that he has misunderstood what he's sold, and now everything is "up in smoke." The lyrics suggest that fame and success may come at a cost - the loss of one's integrity or soul.
Line by Line Meaning
The day the deal went down
The exact moment that I made a deal that changed my life forever.
I heard the sound of a hellhound
I sensed an ominous presence or warning of impending doom.
It's never going away
The consequences of my actions will follow me forever.
Gonna be here 'til my dying day
I will never be able to escape the effects of my mistake, even in death.
'Cause the wheel has stopped
The game is over, and everyone's fate has been sealed.
And everyone's been bought
Everyone, including me, has made a deal that they will regret.
I got my price tagged, too
I received something in return for my soul, but it came at a great cost.
Started smart, but
I was once intelligent and aware of my surroundings, but I made a foolish mistake.
I sold my soul, signed it on the dotted line
I made an irreversible deal that involved giving up my soul, and signed a contract to solidify it.
I sold my soul, and it was easy
Although it had dire consequences, I made the deal without hesitation or doubt.
Found of the legends of the crossroads
I was familiar with the stories of people making deals with the devil at crossroads.
Found of the legend of no for no
I knew of the popular myth that deals with the devil are done in complete silence.
Misunderstood what I sold
I didn't fully comprehend what I was giving up when I made the deal.
Now everything's up in smoke
My life has disintegrated into nothingness, just like smoke dissipates into the air.
Willi Brown, Johnny Shines
I have witnessed firsthand the talented musicians who made similar deals with the devil.
I've seen all the twenty-nine
I have had many experiences and have lived a full life, but the deal will always overshadow them.
I do wrong, you do right
I have made mistakes and taken the easy way out, while others have done what is right.
Ha ha ha
Amused irony that making a deal with the devil often results in laughter at one's own expense.
If you wanna live the life
To achieve greatness and fame, you must be willing to risk everything.
See your name up in lights
To become famous, you must have your name featured prominently in advertisements and promotions.
Go when the clock strikes twelve
Make your move at the perfect time to get ahead, just like Cinderella's fairy tale ending.
With a roaching to sack
Bring your possessions with you, but be prepared to lose them all as a result of the deal.
When you strum your guitar
When you play music and are at your best, it often attracts a demon to fulfill your dreams for a price.
He'll come out from the dark
The devil will appear from the darkness, ready to make a deal when you least expect it.
Hand him your six string
Give up your beloved guitar, or whatever tool you use to create, as part of the deal.
Take it back and do your thing
Afterwards, you can reclaim your instrument and continue to create music, but at what cost?
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rafael Samora
Powerful song!!
denkmensch666
Starker Song!!!
Beardelzebub
YEAH DANKO GO!
RKMa
Yes I love it
ooGcM
yeah - my time is now great
Rafael Samora
YEAH!!!
DrMattDestruction
In order to volunteer for 10+ hours a week, you need to be able to afford it.
This is the Universal Basic Income. Let’s give volunteers a guaranteed minimum income of $1,500ish USD/month.
So they can make our communities better.
Who