Danko Jones sticking to its successful rockin’ formula
For Danko Jones, there is method to the madness.
The Canadian band is promoting its sixth studio album, Rock and Roll is Black and Blue.
But if you’ve enjoyed the Jones recipe in the past — hard rock with dashes of metal and punk — you’ll like this new concoction, said the lead singer and guitarist, who the band is also named after.
“It’s another hard rock album for us,” said Jones. “Why does there need to be something different album-to-album for bands? I subscribe to the story that Slayer, The Ramones, AC/DC and Motorhead subscribe to, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
So far, this approach is working. The band is playing to sold-out shows from Spokane to Calgary, opening for the Danish heavy metal band Volbeat.
“They’re treating us amazing and putting on one helluva show,” said Jones. “Touring with Volbeat has been a blast and we’re all impressed.”
Danko Jones has warmed up the stage for many heavy hitters since forming in 1996, including Guns N’ Roses and Turbonegro. In 2002, the band even opened for the Rolling Stones on the kickoff of the 40 Licks world tour at the Palais Royale in Toronto.
“I can’t wait to get to Seattle to meet up with friends,” said Jones, on the phone just minutes after reaching Missoula. “Winnipeg, Regina, Minneapolis and New York City will be fun too.”
This tour may sound packed and it is, but it’s just the rhythm that Danko Jones is used to.
In May, Jones with bassist John Calabrese and drummer Atom Willard embark on their own spring tour through Europe.
Crowds in Dresden, Barcelona and Madrid will be treated to a good, old rock ’n ’roll show as well as a few summer festivals along the way. The band Danko Jones will wrap up the tour in August in Berlin, playing an already sold-out gig as the opening act for legendary German punk band Die Arzte.
In fact, Europe’s always been good to Danko Jones, who are supported by the label Bad Taste based in Lund. The man Jones also doubles as a music journalist for various publications across the Atlantic, among them Close-Up Magazine in Sweden and Rock Zone magazine in Spain. He does keep a few roots at home blogging a weekly column about his epiphanies and travels for The Huffington Post.
However, there won’t be much time spent in Canada in the coming months, and this will be the only time in Regina for the band, who won’t attend the Junos.
“We’re not nominated and haven’t been for a decade,” said Jones.
So if fans want to catch the globe-trotting act, it will have to be at Saturday’s concert with Volbeat at the Brandt Centre.
“I’m not good at selling a show,” Jones said. “Listen to the songs on our albums and judge for yourself. If you like rock, then you might like us.”