Danko Jones: Swedish e-rock-tica Loud garage rock, hot blonds and one of the world's most dependable suppliers of hardcore pornography -- Sweden is definitely Danko Jones' kind of country. So it's no surprise that local Jones has adopted the Scandinavian hot spot as his spiritual homeland following a recent series of European tours that landed him, bassist JC and drummer Damon on MTV Europe and the mega-festival circuit, earning major props from Swede trash-rock titans like the Hives and Backyard Babies. Their successful Euro invasion is part of the reason our local rock royalty haven't headlined a hometown show in over a year. But before they return to Europe in November for a tour with the Babies, Danko and crew reclaim their Toronto throne Friday (Oct. 5) at the Horseshoe with Citizen Kill and the Flame Jobs. And after that, Jones declares, it's nothing but Swede dreams. Was being in Sweden sort of like that Simpsons episode where Homer's running around in a fantasy world of chocolate? Yeah, except it's the opposite -- everyone's like a vanilla queen! The bpms -- blonds per metre -- were unreal. Seriously, though, the Swedes have such a vibrant music scene. Obviously, there are the Hellacopters and the Cardigans, but there are also the Hives and the Backyard Babies, the Diamond Dogs, Flaming Sideburns and Soundtrack to Our Lives, who are a cool Dandy Warholsy, Pink Floydy-type band. And there's also the Haunted, if you want metal. It's a thriving rock scene, especially for a country of 9 million people. Then you compare to it Canada's output -- it's embarrassing. Did you, uh, indulge in the country's famed cinematic product? Actually, there's not that much porn over there. Over here, porn is everywhere -- you go to Becker's and there's porn. But in stores over there, there's just a little corner, and the stuff's not that graphic. Their version of Penthouse just has one-woman spreads. You were probably joking with that question and I went too in-depth, right? What's the status of your album? Our unofficial plan -- it could change if, like, Radiohead ask us to go on an arena tour -- is to have the new record out by February. We've got the songs -- all brand-new -- we just have to make sure they're recorded properly. It's pretty stripped-down rock 'n' roll -- no strings, no violins. And there may be one or two songs about girls. When you first started in '96, you said the story of Danko Jones was about a man, a band and a five-year plan. What do you have planned for the next five years? Arena tours all over the world, MTV Music Awards, red carpets, helicopters, paparazzi bugging the hell out of me, going out with movie stars, and sports cars, private jets and limos everywhere. I'll have "people" as opposed to "a person" and an unlimited amount of sponsorships with various clothing and musical equipment companies. That's it? Oh yeah, movie-role offers that I'll be turning down. That's pretty much it. But first, we're just going to do this European tour. Do you fear that spending so much time in Sweden surrounded by beautiful women will make you complacent? Oh no. Because then there's Spain. |
