Danko Jones, born Rishi James Ganjoo, is a Canadian rock singer, guitarist and writer. He is the frontman, singer and guitarist of the eponymous rock trio, which was formed in 1996 and has released eleven studio albums. Jones has appeared as a guest on several recordings by different artists and also contributes as a music journalist and columnist for The Huffington Post, the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun, in addition to hosting his own podcast series.
Contents
Early life
Born and raised in Toronto, Jones first played an acoustic guitar at age six before quickly giving up due to the strings hurting his fingers. He later received a blue Squier Stratocaster electric guitar for Christmas after getting into rock music. While attending high school, he was the bassist in his first band 3 Reasons to Puke (3RP) along with guitarist KongDuro.
Career
Jones studied at film school before he decided to drop out ahead of graduation and pursue a career in music. He was first part of the garage rock duo The Violent Brothers and later formed the hard rock band Danko Jones, after his namesake, together with John Calabrese and Michael Caricari in 1996. Following extensive touring in North America and later Europe, the band released their debut album Born a Lion in 2002. The band's latest studio album, Leo Rising, is set to be released on November 21, 2025.
In 2004, Jones released the spoken word album The Magical World of Rock. On 24 June 2006, Jones joined Motörhead onstage during their set at Hellfest to sing "Killed by Death". While supporting Guns N' Roses on the North American leg of their Chinese Democracy Tour in 2010, Jones joined the band onstage to perform "Nightrain" on 10 January, together with Sebastian Bach and Nick Sterling, and "Patience" on 4 February.
A book about Jones authored by Stuart Berman was released in October 2012: Too Much Trouble: A Very Oral History of Danko Jones. On 12 June 2018, Jones released the essay book I've Got Something to Say about his experiences in the music business. In September 2020, he announced the vocal noise project Throat Funeral, releasing the album OU812112 that same year.
Gear and equipment
Jones used a cherry Fender Telecaster during the early years of the Danko Jones band, before switching to Gibson guitars in 2006 and a black Gibson Explorer Standard with a P-94T bridge pickup in 2007. He switched to Gibson SG models in 2013, with his main live guitar being a 2011 Melody Maker in Satin White, acquired for the music video for the single "It's a Beautiful Day". In 2014, Jones switched to that year's SG Standard model in Alpine White, while the Melody Maker was relegated to backup, and he has also used a black 2012 Standard with P-90 pickups. In 2019, he started playing Hagström guitars and the Metropolis model. He also uses the Ultra Max and Ultra Max GT models.
Discography
With The Violent Brothers
The Violent Brothers (1995)
With Danko Jones
Born a Lion (2002)
We Sweat Blood (2003)
Sleep Is the Enemy (2006)
Never Too Loud (2008)
Below the Belt (2010)
Rock and Roll is Black and Blue (2012)
Fire Music (2015)
Wild Cat (2017)
A Rock Supreme (2019)
Power Trio (2021)
Electric Sounds (2023)
Leo Rising (2025)
Danko Jones EP (1998)
My Love Is Bold (1999)
Mouth to Mouth (2011)
I'm Alive and On Fire (2001)
B-Sides (2009)
This Is Danko Jones (2009)
Garage Rock! – A Collection of Lost Songs from 1996–1998 (2014)
Danko Jones (2015)
Live at Wacken (2016)
With Iron Magazine
Queen of Hell (2017)
With Throat Funeral
OU812112 (2020)
As guest singer and writer
2003: "I Gotta Calm" by Removal
2004: "Friends" by Backyard Babies
2007: "Couple Suicide" by Annihilator
2007: "The Real Johnny Charm" by Puny Human
2010: "Last Ride" by Asylum On The Hill
2010: "The One" by Ektomorf
2011: "That's Enough Boys" by Supagroup
2012: "I'm So High" by Nashville Pussy
2013: "Wrapped" by Annihilator
2014: "I Can't Relax", "Lycanthrope" and "Jasmine Cyanide" by Marty Friedman
2014: "Don't Wanna Hear About Your Band!" by Tiger Bell
2014: "5000 Miles" by John Garcia
2017: "Black Rose" by Volbeat
2017: "Open Your Eyes (2017 Version)" by Guano Apes
2017: "Get Yer Hands Dirty" by Brian Vollmer
2017: "Poverty Year" by This Drama
2019: "Wild Boy" by Romano Nervoso
2020: "Poisonous Proclamation" by Ritual Dictates
2021: "Sepulnation" by Sepultura
As solo artist
The Magical World of Rock (2004)
Videography
Sleep Is the Enemy – Live in Stockholm (2006)
Bring on the Mountain (2012)
Live at Wacken (2016)
Filmography
Full of Regret (2010)
Had Enough (2010)
I Think Bad Thoughts (2011)
The Ballad of Danko Jones (2012)
Bring on the Mountain (2012)
Books
I've Got Something to Say (2018)
Literature
Berman, Stuart (2012). Too Much Trouble: A Very Oral History of Danko Jones. ECW Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-1770411357.