Toronto rocker Danko Jones is well known as a full-on metalhead, often taking to social media to sing the praises of his favourite bands, both popular and obscure. He's shared the stage with Motörhead, Sacarifice and Saxon. In a new interview with BraveWords, he was asked if he would ever consider starting or joining a metal band to record and tour.
Danko: "No. I like metal so much because I don't even know how to play it. I don't even try. Rock I can do, but metal remains a mystery to me. I don't even want to sing in a metal band. I could probably do it, but I'd have to go for a Judas Priest / Rob Halford look with studs and leather, and I would go all out (laughs). But no, I don't think I would even consider being in a real metal band. I just enjoy it as a listener and a fan. I can't picture myself doing death metal, but I love listening to it."
With Electric Sounds, which is out now, Toronto’s archbishops of amplification prove that even a global pandemic couldn’t stop Danko Jones.
“Not working for two years really felt like touring rock bands were being put out to pasture,” recalls Danko. “But I guess that only made us try harder. We were still able to record and release an album during the pandemic (Power Trio, 2021). We toured as soon as we were allowed. Now that Electric Sounds is getting released, it doesn’t feel like we missed a beat. During the pandemic, we moved away from each other. JC lives in Finland and Rich lives in Prince Edward Island. So the writing for this band has changed. We used to bash out ideas in our rehearsal place, day after day, but it’s more about sending files back and forth now. However, last summer, while on tour, we did manage to jam out ideas in a rehearsal room in Berlin for a few days. Out of those jams came the nubs for five songs...”
Five songs have since been expanded to eleven new Danko Jones songs, and Electric Sounds promises to have the instant sound and feel of a classic. With no need to reinvent the wheel, the group have further honed and refined their craft - always at full volume - although Electric Sounds is a deceptively diverse affair. No band has ever sounded more ready to hit the road than the pumped-up threesome showcased on the hell-for-leather ragers featured on their forthcoming album.
Electric Sounds was produced by Eric Ratz, and features guest spots from Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Damian Abraham (Fucked Up) and guitarist Daniel Dekay (from Canadian thrash legends Exciter).
Order the album here.
Electric Sounds tracklisting:
"Guess Who's Back"
"Good Time"
"Electric Sounds"
"Get High?"
"Stiff Competition"
"She's My Baby"
"Eye For An Eye"
"I Like It"
"Let's Make Out"
"What Goes Around"
"Shake Your City"
"Guess Who's Back" lyric video:
"Good Time" lyric video:
Danko Jones is:
Danko Jones - Vocals/Guitar
John Calabrese - Bass
Rich Knox - Drums
