The Fansite Connection

Sum 41 Biography

Nov2009a.jpg picture by fansiteconnection

Deryck Whibley: Songwriter, guitar, piano, lead vocals

Cone McCaslin: Bass, backing vocals

Steve Jocz: Film Producer, Drums, backing vocals

Tom Thacker: Lead Guitarist, backing vocals

Introducing Sum 41, by the FC...

Forty one days into the summer of 1996 Deryck Whibley and Steve Jocz, two friends from Ajax, Ontario, Canada, formed the band Sum 41. A year later Dave Baksh replaced Marc Costanzo as lead guitarist. Two years after that, Cone McCaslin took over the bass when Mark Spicoluk left to form his own band Closet Monster and later went on to play bass for Avril Lavigne. With Sum 41 now completed, they released their first EP, Half Hour of Power in 2000. Off this record came the bands first major label single, Makes No Difference. In 2001 they released their first full length album All Killer No Filler, which produced hits such as In Too Deep, Handle This and Motivation. Yet none matched the success of the single Fat Lip, which became the 2001 anthem of Sum 41.

"Hi, we are Sum 41 and we're just something your parents will never understand” - Deryck Whibley

Now that the band had been introduced to the music world, it was time for album number three. Not wanting to make the same sounding record twice, the Sums went a little heavier for Does This Look Infected. The first single Still Waiting proved that Sum 41 was not a one hit wonder. It also proved that the Sums had a serious side, being that the song was influenced by the 9/11 attacks. The singles that followed were The Hell Song and Over My Head (Better Off Dead).

In May 2004 the band took a break from the music scene and filmed a War Child Canada documentary in the Congo. A few days into the trip fighting broke out in Bukavu, near the band's hotel. Chuck Pelletier a U.N peacekeeper, called for armed vehicles to evacuate all civilians. After nearly six hours the band and the rest of the hotel guests were taken to safety.

"Bullets were coming through windows and everyone was just lying on the ground with their hands on their heads. One bomb came too close, hit the hotel and the hotel just started shaking. Everyone dove and was lying on the ground. Things were falling off the walls, mirrors were breaking. That's when we all kind of realized that this was really going bad, and we're probably not going to make it out." - Deryck Whibley

After their life changing ordeal the band started on their fourth album, Chuck, in honor of Pelletier. The Chuck Era was introduced with the single We're All To Blame, followed by a un-characteristic slow song Pieces. From Chuck also came Some Say and No Reason. During the Chuck Era, the Sums also release their first live album, entitled Go Chuck Yourself. The majority of recordings came from a London, Ontario set, but the album also showcased performances throughout the 2005 tour.

With four albums to their name and a loyal fan base, the Sums were one of the best Canadian bands on the charts. Then lead guitarist Dave Baksh announced he was leaving the band. The Sums were now wondering if another album would even be made. Deryck, Steve and Cone collectively agreed that they were not ready to see the Sums reign come to an end. In November of 2006 recording for album five began.

"All the odds were stacked against us. People were saying we couldn't recover from all these changes. There was so much doubt." - Deryck Whibley

Underclass Hero marked a new era of Sum 41, one that focused on the artist side of music. Feeling it was time to grow as a songwriter, Whibley, lyrical exposed his personal thoughts and opinions. Sharing the album title, their first single Underclass Hero, embodied the record's meaning and the band's attitude of overcoming obstacles and doubt. Further the albums personal theme were singles Walking Disaster and With Me.

"We now see the artistic side of music. We wanted to make this the most artistic punk-rock record we could. We approach music differently now. Things now have a purpose. We care more about the craft of it now." - Deryck Whibley

Joining the Sums on their 2007 - 2008 Tour was fellow Canadian Tom Thacker. Thacker is the front man for GOB, a band which toured with Sum41 during the early 2000s.

After 8 years and 15 hit singles the Sums released 8 Years of Blood, Sake and Tears: The Best of Sum 41 2000- 2008 in Japan. This album includes a un-released single, Always and a DVD featuring Sum 41's music videos. Due to the album's success, the band will released a world wide greatest hits titled, All The Good Sh** in March of 2009.

The Sums are currently recording album number six, which is set for a release in 2010.

"Musically we're going somewhere different and now lyrically it's totally different, but i really feel like it's working well." - Deryck Whibley