When it comes to touring, Danko Jones is often the bridesmaid, rarely the bride — in other words, the Toronto band has done a lot of tours as an opening band, for everyone from The Rolling Stones to Nickelback. So while being the first band on the bill for Guns N’ Roses’ first ever cross-Canada tour may be a huge honour for the Mango Kid and his crew, it's also nothing new. But for a band that’s been around upwards of 14 years, it’s a surprise to find out that’s the way Jones likes it. Considering the fact that Danko Jones play exponentially more shows in Europe than in their home country (22 to four, by Jones’ count), getting up in front of some of their biggest domestic audiences should be a good test for their “Code of the Road.” EYE WEEKLY spoke with Jones from his Toronto home on a day off before the tour hit Hamilton.

Back when you were starting out, you had a 15-minute set-time rule, to keep your performances short and punchy. Do you still enjoy the opening slot?
Actually, I almost prefer it. I prefer it in the sense that there’s no pressure; you can just have fun on tour, as opposed to when I’m on tour and it’s us on the top of the marquee and everyone’s there to see us — I feel the pressure. I get in the zone where you can’t really do anything. You try and chill out by playing a video game, but you can’t. You’re just waiting to get on stage. The high, on the other hand, is just that much higher. When you’re opening, it’s a struggle just to get people to look at the stage. But I still enjoy that struggle today.

How has the tour been going so far?
It’s been amazing. It’s a dream tour. You want to play arenas; I don’t care if you’re a 10-piece indie-rock band or a two piece garage band, it’s fun. And to play with Axl and Guns N’ Roses, is a trip, man. The band has been really nice, all the crew have been totally cool and nice. I must stress that this tour’s been fucking awesome. I got to sing “Nightrain” with Sebastian [Bach] and Axl, so I’m still buzzing on that. I’m like a kid in a candy store to be on this tour.

You’ve talked before about how European audiences are more receptive to heavy music. Has that been part of what’s kept you interested in the bringing the rock?
Yes, it has played a huge part. There has never been a time where I haven’t listened to heavy music. But when you’re around it… like, it took me years of touring in Europe and then one day I just woke up and went, “I get it. I get Norwegian black metal.” And that was because we hit Scandinavia a lot. It just spurred my desire to get into all things metal.

Speaking of which, this past year has been great for Canadian metal, don’t you think?
Well, if there’s one thing that’s positive about this whole Anvil joke thing — because I think it’s kind of embarrassing in a way — it’s hopefully brought the spotlight onto Canadian metal. Because The Ones I Condemn by Sacrifice is phenomenal. And when everyone in Canada is giving Anvil awards and accolades; meanwhile, Sacrifice puts out this great album, Voivod put out this great album post-Piggy [recently deceased guitarist Denis D’Amour], and there are other bands like Kataklysm and Blood Ceremony — it kind of reinforces this FUBAR, Wayne’s World stereotype. I feel that academic-oriented people are really into metal; it takes a lot to play it, and it’s not necessarily played well by Wayne’s World [types]. Like I could do it, but it would sound like FUBAR, but if you want it to sound like Opeth, you have to put a lot more studying and effort into it.

You’re almost 15 years into this, and you don’t seem to have mellowed out at all….
Yeah, I’ve gotten angrier, madder, louder and more obnoxious. I need a thicker chain, a thicker dog collar on me. It’s not bitterness… god, I hope it’s not. But I still listen to music and devour it as much as I did when I was 18. I don’t think its bitterness, because the urge to find new music would be lost and you’d basically just give up. I find great new music every week, almost. So, the excitement is still there. But we’re a rock and roll band. The other night I read some review of the Guns N’ Roses show in the Edmonton Sun, and the guy said about us, “Oh, they haven’t changed their schtick in 14 years.” I’m, like, “We’re a rock and roll band. What should we change to? Should we sound like Coldplay? What do you suggest?” I think we’re doing fine.