Sum 41 never fit in. They didn’t give a shit or try to either. Instead, they came out of the gate swinging with a signature style punctuated by pop-punk singalongs and hard-hitting heavy-metal proficiency. As a result, they’ve cast an unmatched shadow over popular culture, tracing back to their turn-of-the-century domination of MTV’s TRL up to a rapturous set at the inaugural When We Were Young Festival. Within the span of a year, Iggy Pop tapped them for a collaboration, and they paid a fiery tribute to Metallica for MTV Icon. Their music has surged through major franchises, ranging from Spider-Man to American Pie and Bring It On.
Hailing from Ajax, Ontario, Sum 41 formed in 1996 when high school friends Deryck Whibley and Steve Jocz decided to start a band, later joined by guitarist Dave Baksh and bassist Jason McCaslin. Named after the 41st day of summer, the band initially made a name for themselves in the Southern Ontario punk scene with their raucous live shows and irreverent humour. Their big break came when their demo caught the attention of Island Records, leading to their platinum debut album, All Killer No Filler, which catapulted them to international fame.
All Killer No Filler wasn’t just a commercial success—it was a cultural phenomenon, driven by the chart-topping “Fat Lip” and its blend of pop-punk hooks and rebellious spirit. Alongside its gold-certified follow-ups, Does This Look Infected? (2002) and Chuck (2004), Sum 41 delivered a triptych of classic albums that defined an era. Tracks like “In Too Deep,” “Still Waiting,” and “We’re All To Blame” became generational anthems, showcasing the band’s energy, genre-blurring experimentation, and heavier edge. While many bands faded after the pop-punk boom, Sum 41 evolved, earning critical acclaim and a fervent global fanbase.
The band’s longevity is a testament to their grit. In 2007, they released Underclass Hero, which debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. Despite lineup changes and frontman Deryck Whibley’s well-documented health struggles, they returned stronger than ever with Screaming Bloody Murder (2011), earning a GRAMMY nomination for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. Their second act kicked into overdrive with 13 Voices (2016) and Order In Decline (2019), the latter of which Slant hailed as “a hell of a fun ride,” while GQ praised how “the band made it all the way back.”
Over their career, Sum 41 sold 15 million albums worldwide, garnered two JUNO Awards, a Kerrang! Award, several Alternative Press Music Awards, and toured across six continents. They have left their mark on stages from Warped Tour to major arenas, performing with a fiery intensity that never waned. Whether playing a sweaty club or headlining festivals, they’ve always been a band for the people—unapologetic, raw, and electrifying.
Disregarding the rules, ignoring expectations, and following their instincts once again, the band—Deryck Whibley (vocals, guitar), Dave Baksh (guitar), Jason McCaslin (bass), Tom Thacker (guitar), and Frank Zummo (drums)—deliver a fittingly fiery final statement in the form of the double-LP, Heaven :x: Hell (Rise Records). Heaven is 10 tracks of snarling high-energy pop punk, while Hell consists of ten heavy metal anthems spiked with fret-burning solos, thrashing riffs, and fist-pumping hooks. It’s big, it’s ballsy, and it’s their boldest and best body of work to date. The album is a triumphant final statement, encapsulating everything fans have loved about Sum 41 while pushing their sound to new heights.
“I love Sum 41, what we’ve achieved, endured, and stuck together through, which is why I want to call it quits,” Deryck leaves off. “There were so many times we could’ve broken up. For some reason, we kept sticking it out. I’m proud of that. It’s the right time to walk away from it. I’m putting all of my energy into what’s ahead. This is going to be the biggest tour of our lives, and I want to make it the best show we’ve ever done. That’s it.”
