Since the release of their last album, 2002's" Does this look infected?" SUM 41 have played more than 200 live shows worldwide, have performed on Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brian, and Mad TV. The band made their acting debut as guest stars on an episode of King of the Hill, and also appeared on Iggy Pop's latest album, "Skull Ring". In addition to their numerous live performances, drummer Steve Jocz and his bandmates have also been working with the charity group "War Child Canada" and in May of 2004 they helped in the making of a documentary that covered the effects of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sum41 continues to tour the world in support of their most recent release "Chuck"
In the annals of rock music history, nobody has got the goods over Sum 41. Originally a teenage pop-punk outfit from the suburban wasteland of Ajax, Ontario, Canada, Sum 41 have gone on (and grown up) to sell millions of records, tour the world, and become poster boys for bad behavior. Lunatic conduct helped score them a record deal, big talent and crazed fans help secure their success.
Think the Jerky Boys were nuts? Give the jokers of Sum 41 an inch, and you better keep hold of your wallet, secure your keys down your pants, and leave your girlfriend at home. King joker of this unruly foursome is hotshot drummer Steve Jocz, a walking comedian, a man who never heard an old geezer or poor sucker he couldn't imitate, a drummer with burning single strokes and a fixation with Jerry Lewis and Little Richard. Take Jocz on tour, and madness will surely erupt.
At twenty-one years of age and 145 pounds, Jocz is a featherweight with a heavyweight punch. When not imitating his kindly Scottish grandmother, Jocz provides blistering, high-speed rhythms with both his hands and feet to the evolving music of Sum 41. All Killer No Filler, Sum's 2002 major-label debut, featured the mega hits "Fat Lip" and "In Too Deep," two thriller-killers in an album of radio-ready singles. The album showed the band deeply observant of pop music trends, quickly filling the shoes of former MTV titans like Green Day and Blink-182.
But with their latest disc, Does This Look Infected?, Sum 41 has outgrown their pimply punk fascinations and dug deep into their heavy metal closet. For a band that still plays Metallica, Guttermouth, and Faith No More at soundchecks, Sum 41 had no problem making heavier music. Infected features Judas Priest sound-alike "The Hell Song," the forehead-slamming rhythms of "No Brain," maniacal rhythm changes in "A.N.I.C.," the Iron Maiden parody of "Mr. Amsterdam," and Jocz's brief solo foray in "All Messed Up."
Friends from high school, Jocz (a.k.a. Stevo32), singer/guitarist Deryck Whilbey, bassist Cone McCaslin, and mega guitarist Dave Baksh are a band who have gotten better and bigger than anyone could have expected. Whilbey's excellent pop songs provide the platform, Jocz and Baksh add the fireworks. Even a brief listen to All Killer No Filler or the recent Infected shows off a band as at ease pogo-ing as they are getting all ugly with their metal alter egos, Pain For Pleasure. Where they'll go next is anyone's guess, but you can be sure the ride will be filled with mayhem, girls, and some mighty hardcore music.