Toronto rocker DANKO JONES recently launched a column at Canada's Huffington Post. Following is an excerpt from his latest article:

Being in a rock 'n' roll band gets you scrutinized by people in the straight-laced world. They immediately assume you're some drug addict and, if you're like me -- a person who doesn't drink or smoke -- assume you're a recovering drug addict. Truth is, I never had much of a palette for it. I was also lucky enough to get copies of Minor Threat and Bad Brains albums when I was a very impressionable teenager and combing through the lyrics of songs like 'Attitude', 'Out Of Step' and 'Straight Edge' had an indelible effect on me that I am only now starting to recognize.

Despite these beginnings, I, like a lot of people, was curious about drugs. I definitely experimented, dabbled, even habitually enjoyed for some time, and had a general all-around blast. Nobody got hurt and there was never any silly high-school drama attached to it. It was only when friends around me overindulged in alcohol did the drama start flowing like a corny after-school special. I never really had the stomach for alcohol either, though.

Eventually, I knew my time with light drugs had reached its inevitable end and I quietly unrolled the joints, so to speak. Some people have peanut allergies or a fear of heights, I simply couldn't handle my high. There wasn't any horrific misadventure or run-in with the law predicating the decision. I'm somewhat of a control freak, but I still proffer that for most people a little indulgence is fine.

But while I've abstained from smoking even an occasional joint, don't think for one second that I don't get a clamoring to grab it every time it's casually passed around me. Much in the same way a lactose intolerant pizza lover feels a hunger pang every time the aroma of a slice hits their nostrils, I too feel the sting of a lost puff between my lips from a nearby flaming joint. And even though I don't smoke anymore my support for the legalization of cannabis is absolute. For anyone interested in learning the true story behind cannabis, I highly suggest watching The Union: The Business Behind Getting High by Brett Harvey and Adam Scorgie from 2007.

My main reason for smoking marijuana in the first place was only to enjoy the music I already loved so much, but at a heightened level. It's true that marijuana can open dormant senses and when applied to music the results are unquestionably fantastic. Songs that I'd heard almost a hundred times over suddenly sparkled with nuances that opened up to me like a gift on Christmas morning. Songs that I couldn't quite understand what all the fuss was about suddenly became illuminated as pieces of wonderment. Conversely, pot somehow also helped me to identify shallow, trite music and instantly realize it was unbearable. My drug usage had an indisputable effect on how I heard music forever and increased my love for music tenfold.

It's only now when I listen to music sober that I know what bitter pill I've swallowed after choosing to forgo even the occasional smoke. When I see people freely puffing and using it for expanded music listening, I'm struck with envy because I know what I'm missing. Still, there are songs that are so close to the feeling I got while on pot that they're almost contact highs by default. I've assembled a mixtape list in order for the uninitiated to get a feel for the magic and for those who "know." Put this list on and just enjoy, you lucky bastards.

Go to this location to check out Danko's list.

In anticipation of their upcoming appearances in Australia on the Soundwave Festival tour, Danko Jones (the band) have issued the following video Update:

Acts confirmed for Soundwave Festival 2013 include: METALLICA, LINKIN PARK, BLINK 182, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, THE VANDALS, THE SWORD, CHELSEA GRIN, THE CHARIOT, SHARKS, NORTHLANE, O’BROTHER, DR.ACULA, MILESTONES, A PERFECT CIRCLE, THE OFFSPRING, PARAMORE, SLAYER, GARBAGE, CYPRESS HILL, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, TOMAHAWK, STONE SOUR, BRING ME THE HORIZON, KYUSS LIVES, ANTHRAX, SUM 41, DRAGONFORCE, ALL TIME LOW, FLOGGING MOLLY, GHOST, DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED, BILLY TALENT, MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE, THE AMITY AFFLICTION, SICK OF IT ALL, KINGDOM OF SORROW, FOZZY, THE LAWRENCE ARMS, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS, CANCER BATS, THE BLACKOUT, GALLOWS, MADBALL, FUCKED UP, VISION OF DISORDER, PIERCE THE VEIL, PERIPHERY, SHAI HALUD, OF MICE & MEN, THIS IS HELL, MISS MAY I, DANKO JONES, LUCERO, WOE, IS ME, THE WONDER YEARS, POLAR BEAR CLUB, WHILE SHE SLEEPS, CEREBRAL BALLZY, THE EARLY NOVEMBER, SUCH GOLD, SIX FEET UNDER, THE DEAR HUNTER, DEAF HAVANA, RED FANG, VERSUS THE WORLD, BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR, CONFESSION, CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK!, SYLOSIS, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE, CROSSFAITH.

The full dates for Soundwave 2013 are as follows

February

23 - Brisbane, Australia - RNA Showgrounds
24 - Sydney , Australia - Olympic Park

March

1 - Melbourne, Australia - Flemington Racecourse
2 - Adelaide, Australia - Bonython Park
4 - Perth, Australia - Claremont Showground

In addition, Danko Jones have confirmed two sideshows together with DUFF McKAGAN's LOADED in Sydney and Melbourne. Dates are as follows:

February

25 - Sydney, Australia - Manning Bar
28 - Melbourne, Australia - Gershwin Room

Tickets are available via OzTix.com.

Danko Jones released their latest effort, Rock And Roll Is Black And Blue, in October. The video for the first single from the album, ‘Just A Beautiful Day’, was directed by the Diamond Bros and filmed in New York City in September. It can be seen below: