Danko Jones

Comprised of band leader, vocalist and guitarist Danko Jones, bassist John Calabrese, and drummer Rich Knox, the group first appeared in 1996. For two years Danko Jones patiently raised their profile through word of mouth live performances including supporting the likes of The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, The Make-Up, and The Chrome Cranks. By 1998 the group decided to head to the studio and recorded a self-produced collection of songs, released as the EP “Danko Jones”. Issued by Sonic Unyon Records, the EP raised the band’s profile as did its successor “My Love Is Bold” in 1999. Led by the single “Bounce” which generated national radio play, the EP was subsequntly nominated for the 2000 Juno Award for Best Alternative Album.

The compilation “I’m Alive and On Fire” arrived in 2001 on Bad Taste Records, which was promoted by a European tour including shows in Denmark and Sweden. Despite having not released a full-length album, the band’s European popularity far outweighed their success in the U.S., with future tours featuring a host of European dates. In 2002 Danko Jones released their debut studio album “Born A Lion” on Bad Taste Records. Earning popular reviews from the critical press, the album was supported by intense touring including an opening slot on The Rolling Stones’ “40 Licks” World Tour.

Two years later the band’s sophomore album “We Sweat Blood” hit the shelves earning two Juno nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Video (“Lovercall”). Despite being dropped from Universal Canada’s roster, Danko Jones marched soon undeterred and toured alongside Turbonegro, Sepultura, and The Bronx in America before heading once again to Europe. Following shows in the Netherlands, Germany, and South Africa, the band released their third studio album “Sleep Is the Enemy” in February 2006. Marked by their first Canadian tour in four years, the record was followed by months of intense touring. In 2008 Danko Jones issued the full-length “Never Too Loud”, produced by Nick Raskulinecz, followed by the studio album “Below the Belt” in 2010.

The following year Danko Jones released the EP “Mouth to Mouth” and embarked on another tour to test out new material. The full-length “Rock and Roll Is Black and Blue” subsequently arrived in 2012, led by the single “Just a Beautiful Day”, followed by “Fire Music” in 2015.

The band began in 1990, with the members brought together by their shared love of punk, whose popularity had begun to decline after hair metal, synth pop and new wave began to top the charts. The band’s lineup has seen constant changes throughout their career, with Jorge Herrera being the only long lasting member. It was not until 1991 that the band managed to stabilise enough to record their first EP, “40 Ounce Casualty.”

After this release, The Casualties toured heavily, building a loyal following in their hometown of NYC, US. Further lineup changes occurred and it was another three years, in 1994, that the band were to release another record, their second EP, “Drinking Is Our Way of Life.” This EP never saw a formal release but it was incorporated into their retrospective “Early Years: 1990-1995” which came out in 1999.

In 1996, they travelled to London, UK to perform at the Sun Festival. From here they started to build fans in the UK, expanding their fan base. In 1997, their debut full-length, “For The Punx” was released, followed by an extensive tour in support, opening for the band, The Varukers.

The Casualties constantly toured throughout the next decade, travelling all across the US and Europe. In 2000 and 2001, they released the albums, “Who’s In Control?” and “Stay Out of Order,” before moving to Side One Dummy Records to release “Die Hards.” These albums helped build the band’s popularity, eventually building to achieving a main stage slot on the Vans Warped Tour. Moving to the Season of Mist record label, they released their ninth album, “Resistance” in 2012.