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)
Tonight Is Fine
Danko Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You get your rocks off a cock block 'cause it's a long way down
Let 'em all just wait in line, it's fine, 'cause what they got, she doesn't want
You play it cool, relax, ease back, and get in the zone
The girl's attractive, she knows she's pretty
She gets exactly what she wants it's silly
All the boys fall down but you just stand your ground
Tonight is fine
(Tonight is fine)
Tonight is fine, baby
They all try to tease her and please her and make her believe
But the best thing they going for them is some coke and bad weed, hahaha
The girl's attractive, she knows she's pretty
She gets exactly what she wants it's silly
All the boys fall down but you just stand your ground
Gotta learn to seize the day so you take her to the side and say
Tonight is fine
(Tonight is fine)
Tonight is fine, baby
(Tonight is fine)
Tonight is fine
(Tonight is fine)
Tonight is fine, baby
There should be no hesitation
(Tonight is fine)
When your bid's in for her relations
(Tonight is fine)
When most boys like to talk her up and act bigger
(Tonight is fine)
You make sure you got your back to her
(Tonight is fine)
Now I'm not sayin' along the way you won't get messed up
Every time you do you goin' get more tough
And even when the coast is clear
You gotta pick your spots
Tonight is fine, hehehe
She's so hot, she knows she's pretty
She gets exactly what she wants it's silly
She got you out of your mind and going giddy
Gotta learn to seize the day, so you take her to the side and say
Tonight is fine
(Tonight is fine)
Tonight is fine, baby
(Tonight is fine)
Your place or mine girl?
(Tonight is fine)
Tonight is fine
That's right wooh
(Tonight is fine)
Wait a minute, wait a minute
(Tonight is fine)
Who am I kidding
(Tonight is fine)
Every night, every night, every night is fine
(Tonight is fine)
That's right...with you
In Danko Jones's song "Tonight Is Fine," the singer is describing his approach to pursuing the "best good looking girl in town." He acknowledges that many other men are vying for her attention, but he's not deterred by the competition. He sees them as "cock blocks" who are just getting in his way. He plays it cool, because he's confident that he can win her over with his charm and wit. He knows that the girl is aware of her beauty and is used to getting what she wants, but he's willing to take a chance and see if he can capture her interest.
The chorus of the song is simple and catchy: "Tonight is fine, baby." The singer is telling the girl that he's ready to spend the night with her and enjoy whatever comes their way. He's not hesitating or holding back, because he knows that the moment could pass if he doesn't act quickly. He wants her to know that he's interested in her, and he's willing to be bold and take a risk.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tonight Is Fine" convey a sense of confidence, bravado, and swagger. The singer is self-assured and willing to take chances when it comes to pursuing the girl he desires. The song is a celebration of living in the moment and seizing opportunities as they arise, rather than waiting for things to happen on their own.
Line by Line Meaning
The best good looking girl in town is checkin' you out
A pretty girl is showing interest in you
You get your rocks off a cock block 'cause it's a long way down
You enjoy keeping other guys away from the girl since the competition isn't easy
Let 'em all just wait in line, it's fine, 'cause what they got, she doesn't want
You do not feel threatened by other guys since you know that the girl doesn't like them
You play it cool, relax, ease back, and get in the zone
You act relaxed and confident to impress the girl
The girl's attractive, she knows she's pretty
The girl is confident in her appearance
She gets exactly what she wants it's silly
The girl easily gets what she wants from guys
All the boys fall down but you just stand your ground
All other guys are intimidated by the girl, but you are not
Take her to the side and say, Tonight is fine
You ask the girl out for the night
They all try to tease her and please her and make her believe
Other guys try to impress the girl and win her over
But the best thing they going for them is some coke and bad weed, hahaha
Other guys have nothing to offer the girl except drugs
Gotta learn to seize the day so you take her to the side and say, tonight is fine
You are confident in your approach to ask the girl out
There should be no hesitation, when your bid's in for her relations
You should not hesitate to make a move on the girl
When most boys like to talk her up and act bigger, you make sure you got your back to her
While other guys try to impress the girl by talking big, you avoid doing so and remain calm in her presence
Now I'm not sayin' along the way you won't get messed up
You acknowledge that there is a possibility of things not going as planned
Every time you do you goin' get more tough
You will learn from your mistakes and become tougher
And even when the coast is clear, you gotta pick your spots, tonight is fine
Even when there is no competition, you know when to make a move on the girl
She's so hot, she knows she's pretty
The girl is very attractive and confident in her looks
She got you out of your mind and going giddy
The girl has driven you crazy with attraction
Your place or mine girl?
You suggest going to either your place or hers
Every night, every night, every night is fine
You suggest that every night spent with her will be great
Contributed by Charlotte P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.