The hard rock trio Danko Jones was formed in Toronto in 1996. Comprised of vocalist and guitarist Danko Jones, bassist John “JC” Calabrese and drummer Rich Knox, the group first built their reputation through touring — performing around Canada and the northeastern U.S.
The group initially had no plans of recording, so they focused on growing their fanbase through live shows. Their first release, a self-titled six-song EP released through Sonic Unyon, was released in 1998, followed by the acclaimed self-produced EP My Love Is Bold the following year. The latter earned the group their first Juno Award nomination for best alternative album.
After a compilation release and a European tour in 2001, Danko Jones’s first full-length album, Born A Lion, was released in 2002. It led to an opportunity for the group to open for rock music legends, the Rolling Stones.
“Sharing the stage with the Rolling Stones at the ‘40 Licks’ tour kickoff show at Toronto’s Palais Royale in 2002 is a standout memory,” said Calabrese. “Each member of the band had one guest allowed, and I had my dad come out to the show.”
Calabrese mentioned other career highlights, including the opportunity to tour across Europe and the U.K. in 2008 with Motörhead and Saxon, releasing albums and being nominated for multiple accolades.
“Every time we release an album, it is a sense of accomplishment,” he reflected. “Being nominated for multiple Juno Awards is also a great recognition from the Canadian music industry.”
However, Calabrese stated that the proudest achievement in their careers has been entertaining their fans. “As far as accolades go, the best accolade is to see people leave our show with a smile on their face after being entertained with our music.”
Among Danko Jones’s numerous singles, their biggest success, “Full of Regret,” charted at #96 on the Canadian Hot 100 and #36 on the U.S. Top 40 Singles Chart, as well as notably appearing in EA Sports’s NHL 11 video game in 2010. They have been nominated for six Juno Awards, including a recent nomination for metal/hard music album of the year in 2024 for Electric Sounds, which marked their second nomination in the category.
Since the release of Born A Lion, they have released 11 more studio albums. Their most recent album, Leo Rising, was released in November 2025. Produced by long-time collaborator Eric Ratz, the album was said by Music Life Magazine’s Jim Barber to possibly be their “most uplifting and inspirational” record to date.
“[Leo Rising] is indeed a high energy rock-and-roll album from us,” Calabrese explained. “[It has] no compromises and no holdbacks. It’s what you would expect from rock-and-roll veterans like us. It is filled with anthems and full-on rock-and-roll action.”
Leo Rising was preceded by the release of the single “Everyday Is Saturday Night.” The song was inspired by the group’s touring schedule and how it feels to be on the road.
“Being on the road constantly touring tends to blend all days into one,” Calabrese explained.
The music video for the song is a cinematic walk through the streets of Osaka, Japan. It was shot by Italian cinematographer Giacomo Triglia, who has worked with noted Italian artists such as Brunori Sas (one of Calabrese’s favourite singers), Jovanotti, Eros Ramazotti, Lucio Dalla and Eurovision 2021 winners Måneskin. “Having [Triglia] involved in the project was great as he brought his vision and artistic approach to it,” Calabrese stated.
Other notable songs on the album include its loud, fast and infectious first single, “What You Need,” second single, “Diamond In The Rough” featuring Marty Friedman on lead guitar and Calabrese’s personal favourite, “I Love It Louder.”
The group has been supporting the album through its Rising tour. They enjoyed a sold-out leg of the tour in Germany from November to December 2025, which Calabrese noted as a highlight of promoting the album. The group has upcoming legs set for Canada and Europe, with the Canadian leg running in January and February across six cities. They will also tour Scandinavia and the U.K. from April through August, with a final show in November. Fans can expect to see the group’s signature high energy rock-and-roll.
Danko Jones’s long tenure is not lost on Calabrese, who reflected on the group’s passion and dedication since they first formed.
“It means persistence,” he said of their long career. “It means never giving up. It means having faced adversity. It means [experiencing] many highs and many lows […] It is not a hobby or a pastime, it is our life and it is treated with the utmost detail, care and immediacy.”
Ultimately, Calabrese has high hopes for the future, feeling that the band has stuck to their roots and stayed true to their founding principle — to build a live reputation.
“We played relentlessly around Toronto and the northeastern U.S., opening for whoever would have us, and that grind turned into the band people know now,” he stated. “The band has not lost the love for music that launched our venture into the world of music, and the passion for wanting to continue is still there.”
Danko Jones’s 12th album, Leo Rising, is now available across streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify. The group’s 2026 Canadian tour, Rising, will come to Winnipeg on Feb. 4 at the Park Theatre (tickets are sold out). For more information on Danko Jones, visit dankojones.com or follow them on social media.
