Danko Jones

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Coming from Toronto, Danko Jones started off in 1996. Since then, they have released many albums and EPs, have toured the world and have built a name for themselves in the music industry, even getting acknowledged by Rolling Stones Magazine.

Now, fourteen years later, with an altered lineup, a new album and a new single, they are still pushing forward and are as ready as ever to keep doing what they love. Last May, their tour stopped in Montreal and I had a chance to chat with JC, the bassist of the band.

CONFRONT: To start off, could you tell me a little bit about the history of Danko Jones?

JC: The band’s been around for 14 years and the latest history is that we have a new record called Below The Belt and everyone can go check out http://dankojones.com for more info.

CONFRONT: It came out this week actually right?

JC: Yeah in Canada, it came out on the 11th [of May].

CONFRONT: And how has the response been?

JC: Well it’s been two days and it’s been good!

CONFRONT: And what are some changes that have occurred since the first album, which was released more than ten years ago?

JC: Time…time has gone by so we’ve learned how to play our instruments and we’ve learned how to record. We’ve crafted the writing of songs and stuff.

CONFRONT: And what were some of your inspirations for it?

JC: The same as always; girls, not having them, going through bad relationships, being angry at people. That’s pretty much it. Not being angry at people, just having songs about revenge, wanting to get back to people…all to deal with the theme of love.

CONFRONT: I see. I also heard that it was a fast-paced recording and writing process.

JC: Yeah, definitely.

CONFRONT: How did that affect the overall outcome of the album?

JC: I think it just has a lot more energy when you don’t spend too much time thinking about stuff. And you kind of just keep it fresh, vibrant and energetic like that.

CONFRONT: Yeah, you don’t spend all your time tweaking it.

JC: Yeah you don’t keep going back on it. That kind of kills the energy.

CONFRONT: Yeah! And how would you describe the album in one word?

JC: Um…good. Great.

CONFRONT: That’s two words!

JC: Hard. Rock! One word, we’ll just use that.

CONFRONT: Rock? Is that your final answer?

JC: Yes it’s my final answer.

*laughter*

CONFRONT: What made you decide to pursue this career?

JC: We’re just a little insane so that’s what you get. And it’s the only thing we know how to do.

CONFRONT: Well that’s cool, as long as you enjoy it right?

JC: I love it, yeah.

CONFRONT: How does it feel to tour the world and do that for a living?

JC: Oh it’s great! It’s rewarding, you get to play everywhere in the world… songs that you wrote from your little rehearsal space so it’s very rewarding.

CONFRONT: What’s your favorite city to play in?

JC: My favorite city would probably be Brussels? They have a lot of beer on tap. And my favorite club is the in Brussels and I have a great time there.

CONFRONT: Is the crowd different depending on which part of the world you’re in?

JC: Well in Europe, there are several different countries that make up Europe and in America, there’s just Canada and the United States so it’s…there’s different cultures in a smaller distance and more people within Europe. The US is a whole beast on its own. Talking about the diversity, it’s very diverse from one place to another.

CONFRONT: There is a lot of diversity here as well though.

JC: That’s what I mean. In Europe, there’s a lot because, I guess there is a lot more people concentrated in the smaller land mass.

CONFRONT: Are the crowd responses actually any different from one place to another or is it pretty much the same thing everywhere around the world?

JC: Well we’re more known in Europe than we are here in Canada.

CONFRONT: It seems to happen to a lot of bands. Are they more accepting over there?

JC: I guess. I don’t know. We’ll see what happens with this record and maybe people will flock to the band more. That’s why we do it.

CONFRONT: You never know.

JC: You never know. If I knew the answer to your question, I would probably be better off.

*laughter*

CONFRONT: You probably would’ve done whatever needed to be done years ago, right?

JC: Yeah! So we just keep playing and we’re just lucky we get a crowd wherever we go. That’s what matters.

CONFRONT: Yeah, that’s why you started right?

JC: Yeah.

CONFRONT: When did it really hit you that “Wow, this is really happening?”

JC: Since we started doing it really!

CONFRONT: Yeah? That’s cool! About your beginnings, you guys took the long way…

JC: Yeah, we were foolish and arrogant when we started and we didn’t put out any recordings when we first started for a few years. We just kept on touring, touring and touring but if I had to go back, we’d probably put out merchandise and CDs because you have to pay for gas and you have to eat.

CONFRONT: Well you managed anyways and that probably built up your character and strengthened the band.

JC: Yeah, makes your skin stronger or whatever they say.

CONFRONT: You’ve been in the music industry for a long time now. Have your views on it changed since the beginning of your career?

JC: I mean, there’s goods and…there’s positives and there’s negatives in everything and my views are always kind of the same you know, there are some people in the music industry that are better off selling cars and clothes but they’re selling music. And I think that at the end of the day, if you’re dealing with music, you have to be a fan of music and that has to translate ultimately in the end. And there are so many people, even at their regular day to day jobs who don’t want to be there so I’m lucky because I get to do what I love and I love doing what I do and that comes across. In the music industry, you can see the ups and downs it’s gone through but ultimately, if people love what they do and they put out quality records, people know. And that lasts for a long time.

CONFRONT: Yeah, that’s what matters.

JC: Like nobody knows what Sanjaya’s doing…from American Idol.

CONFRONT: That’s true! I stopped following that show so…

JC: You see what I mean? And I don’t care about that! And that’s the one thing that I find is a negative is just how the instant gratification of being on a popular TV show does not necessarily deem you as a qualified entertainer. You have to pay your dues.

CONFRONT: And yet, there are more and more of those types of shows.

JC: Yeah it’s just karaoke style glamour that just doesn’t really work out.

CONFRONT: And how do you feel about the internet’s takeover on the music industry?

JC: Oh it’s great. I think it’s all good, it’s all positive.

CONFRONT: And networking?

JC: That’s great; it’s pretty fun! We have a Twitter and a Facebook.

CONFRONT: And do you guys personally manage those?

JC: Yeah! And we get help from our webmaster and European label but we’re on there pretty often.

CONFRONT: It’s nice because you can really connect with your fans.

JC: Yeah you can really be connected to your fans and it’s really cool. You get to meet a lot of people as well.

CONFRONT: Now for my last question, I’m going to ask you to draw something that represents you and to explain it to me.

JC: How’s that? Is that alright? I drew the great outdoors, with water and lakes. Being outdoors, it doesn’t really look like much…

CONFRONT: You like the outdoors?

JC: Yeah I love it!

CONFRONT: Well it’s perfect! Thanks and have a great show tonight!

JC: Thank you!

For more information on Danko Jones, you can check out their official page : http://www.dankojones.com

You can also check out their MySpace! http://www.myspace.com/dankojones

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