Press release –
Toronto’s most determined and hardest‑working power trio, DANKO JONES, let out a mighty roar in Leo Rising, an eleven-track masterclass in sweat-soaked, no-nonsense rock ’n’ roll. The album – produced to red‑hot perfection by long‑time collaborator Eric Ratz – lands on 21 November 2025 via Perception – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (for Canada).
“You know the sound every kid makes with their mouth when they play air guitar?” Danko asks. “That’s still the sound I want to put on every album we make. If we can come close to that sound, that’s an album worth releasing. Eric Ratz produced this album and he knows this about me. I have complete faith in the guitar tones he manages to capture. There weren’t any changes in recording. We still did it all apart from one another, like our previous two albums. JC recorded in Finland, Rich flew in from Prince Edward Island to Toronto to record his drums, and I worked with Eric in Toronto on guitars and vocals.”
Leo Rising is another triumph from one of the most consistent bands in the business. Above all, it showcases the fizzing, electrified chemistry between the three members of this explosive powerhouse. Operating as a stable and harmonious unit since 2013, DANKO JONES join forces on stage every night, united in their love for riffs, melodies, and a raucous, sweat-drenched good fucking time.
“This is the line-up I wish we had from the start,” Danko concludes. “I’m not just saying that because time has already proven it. First and foremost, we all get along with each other onstage and offstage. The mood is always light and nobody’s ego gets in the way. When it comes to writing and recording, we are all on the same page and we service the songs, always!”
Leo Rising may just be the most uplifting and inspirational DANKO JONES album to date. A thunderous display of high octane guitar-driven rock awaits, from the thrill seeking opener “What You Need” to the blues infused seductive delight, “Too Slick For Love”. Also lying in wait on Leo Rising is the power-pop hit “Everyday Is Saturday Night” which brings the party vibes with a catchy lyrical hook you’ll find yourself repeating everyday of the week. “It’s A Celebration” sees the energy continue flowing with fiery rhythms across the dynamic track. Unafraid to reveal a grittier side as the distortion is turned up a notch, the sleaze-metal leaning “Pretty Stuff” is followed by the edgy “Gotta Let It Go”.
About DANKO JONES:
Every time someone announces the death of rock ‘n’ roll, Canada’s most incendiary power trio roll with the punches and keep rocking with maximum commitment to the cause. DANKO JONES are a three-piece rock ‘n’ roll band from Toronto. They never sleep. They sweat blood. And they are keeping rock alive by doing it better than anyone else.
On duty since 1996, these unstoppable road-hogs have devoted their lives to rousing the people with blistering, no-bullshit, all-action rock. They have rallied a global army of rock-hungry fans, and blown them away with a steady stream of explosive, anthem-packed albums and an absurd number of live shows. From early underground smashes like We Sweat Blood [2003] and Sleep Is The Enemy [2006], to the band’s recent, triumphant triumvirate of A Rock Supreme [2019], Power Trio [2021] and Electric Sounds [2023], DANKO JONES have been a relentless force for rock ‘n’ roll good, both in the studio and on the road. And they have absolutely no intention of stopping.
“You know what? I like the routine of recording, touring, writing, and repeat,” states singer/guitarist, Danko Jones himself. “I can do that till I’m dead! It may sound boring, but it’s so hard for a band to achieve. I don’t take this lightly. Also, it’s a page out of the MOTÖRHEAD handbook so it works! Since “Electric Sounds” we’ve been touring and touring. We managed to play in Mexico and Greece for the first time, and we even played Prince Edward Island, a province in Canada we’d never been to before. Other than that, it’s been a life of gigs and writing more songs to play more gigs!”
Proving that their time was well-spent, Danko, bassist John Calabrese and drummer Rich Knox have conjured yet another blazing banquet of nourishing rock goodness on their 12th studio record, due for release later this year.
DANKO JONES are:
Danko Jones | vocals, guitars
John Calabrese | bass
Rich Knox | drums
DANKO JONES live:
27.06.2025 EE Tallinn – Rock Festival
05.07.2025 DE Mainburg – Festival Holledau
06.07.2025 DE Hünxe – Ruhrpott Rodeo NEW
17.07.2025 FI Seinäjoki – Vauhtiajot
19.07.2025 NL Lichtenvoorde – Zwarte Cross
25.07.2025 NO Fredrikstad – Månefestivalen
26.07.2025 DE Mönchengladbach – Bob! Fest
04.08.2025 CA Saskatoon, SK – EX
09.08.2025 DE Eschwege – Open Flair
15.08.2025 NO Alta – Alta Live
16.08.2025 NO Hardstad – Bakgården
17.08.2025 CH Cudrefin (VD) – Rock The Lakes
23.08.2025 DE Haddeby – Baltic Open Air
“Danko Jones Is What You Need” Tour 2025 – Canada
01.10.2025 CA Ottawa, ON – Overflow Brewing Company
02.10.2025 CA Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks
03.10.2025 CA Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s Concerts & Events
“Danko Jones Is What You Need” Tour 2025 – Europe
w/ TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS
19.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Tavastia
21.11.2025 SE Stockholm – Münchenbryggeriet
22.11.2025 NO Oslo – Vulkan Arena
26.11.2025 DE Osnabrück – Rosenhof
27.11.2025 LU Luxembourg – Den Atelier
28.11.2025 NL Amsterdam – Melkweg
29.11.2025 UK London – The Underworld Camden
30.11.2025 UK Porthcawl – Planet Rockstock *
03.12.2025 BE Antwerp – Trix (Main Hall)
04.12.2025 FR Paris – Le Trabendo
06.12.2025 IT Milan – Legend Club
08.12.2025 DE Mannheim – Alte Feuerwache
09.12.2025 AT Salzburg – Rockhouse
10.12.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Werk)
11.12.2025 DE Cologne – Carlswerk Victoria
12.12.2025 DE Berlin – Astra
13.12.2025 DE Hamburg – Docks
* DANKO JONES only
Leo Rising – Track List
1 – What You Need
2 – Diamond In The Rough
3 – Everyday Is Saturday Night
4 – I Love It Louder
5 – I’m Going Blind
6 – Hot Fox
7 – It’s A Celebration
8 – Pretty Stuff
9 – Gotta Let It go
10 – I Can’t Stop
11 – Too Slick For Love
Visit: www.dankojones.com.
