This week will see Canadian rock outfit Danko Jones as one of the many bands invading our shores for Soundwave Festival. This Friday will also see their latest album ‘Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue‘ released locally via Riot! Entertainment. The long running rock three piece, now bolstered by the drumming of Atom Willard, will also play Sidewaves next week in Sydney and Melbourne with Duff McKagan’s Loaded. We caught up with Danko Jones this week in The Hotseat. Expand this post to check out his answers as well as the Sidewave details if you need ‘em.
THE BASICS
Name : Danko Jones
Band : Danko Jones
Job In Band : Singer/Guitarist
Website Address : www.dankojones.com
HOME
Hometown : Toronto.
Hometown is best known for : Cold Weather & Rush.
Best venue in your hometown : Phoenix Concert Theatre, Lee’s Palace, The Air Canada Centre.
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : Too many to name.
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : Maybe one of the ones at Lee’s Palace.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? In the natural way bands break up and form new ones in a scene.
How long has the band been going? Since 1996.
Any particular story behind the name? It’s my name.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… ‘Rock and Roll Is Black and Blue’ is the name of our new album. A bunch of rock songs. If you like rock, chances are you might like us.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Played on 6 continents, over 30 countries, been around for 17 years, toured with everyone from GN’R to Motorhead to Turbonegro to Blonde Redhead.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? Finding out about Kiss made me fall in love with rock music. Watching Eddie Van Halen made me want to play guitar and hearing the Bad Brains made me realize that music had no boundaries.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? There are too many to name here.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Horshack & we played a post-hardcore, 90’s noise rock like Jesus Lizard, Wool, Mule, Shellac etc.
Most prized music related item you own? Probably the jacket Death Angel gave me with my name embroidered on it. There were only 7 other jackets made. One for each member of the band and 2 other people besides me. I also have a celtic frost pentagram pendant given to me by Martin Ain that only 9 other people have.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Writing my columns for various rock mags and my Huffington Post column. I also have a podcast and I might be editing it too.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… A good night sleep.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… Time away from family and friends.
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Water and towels.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? I like places that get rock music. A lot of people think it’s a low form of music and are unable to recognize its worth. Scandanavia, Germany and from what i’ve observed from afar – Australia.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Haven’t played it yet.
Got a favourite song to play live? I have a few. I like playing “I Believed In God” and “Terrified” off the new album.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Nothing more than the usual amp fuck-ups.
Any pre-show rituals? It’s usually a warm-up and a vocal warm-up. It doesn’t get any more ritualistic than that.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? It’s actually gotten easier since when we started. Internet allows you to stay in touch with home better than before. People who publicly complain about touring in a band should not tour in a band.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? ‘Polymers Are Forever’ By Future Of The Left.
Last album you acquired? Godspeed You Black Emperor’s ‘Don’t Bend Ascend’ And Teengenerate’s ‘Smash Hits’.
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Keiji Haino, Colin Stetson, Dub Trio And Turbonegro.
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Touring, Touring And More Touring.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Black Flag’s ‘My War’ because it rules.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? U2 or the Foo Fighters because people would listen to it and we might actually make some money out of it.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? Metallica with Cliff Burton, Thin Lizzy with Phil Lynott, Kiss on the Love Gun tour.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? Wembley Stadium and Madison Square Gardens.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Bass player in Metallica.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Well the last time we did that was last November and we took Bombus who are a great rock band.
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? I’ve got a podcast called the official Danko Jones podcast. check it out on iTunes or Soundcloud and my columns at The Huffington Post.
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DANKO JONES – ‘Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue‘
Available now on iTunes [Here]. CD available in stores Friday February 22nd via Riot!
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Catch Danko Jones on Soundwave Festival and the following Sidewaves.
DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED
With Guests DANKO JONES
FEBRUARY
25th – Manning Bar, Sydney [18+]
28th – The Espy, St Kilda [18+]
—> Tickets available now.
—> For more information, visit [Here].
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