Underclass Heroes - Sum 41

After over a decade together, boasting four platinum-selling albums and numerous sold out world tours, guitarist Dave Baksh decided to quit the band he’d been in since high school, and with lead singer Deryck Whibley’s high profile marriage to pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne, the end of Sum 41 seemed imminent. With more than enough songs to produce a ‘best of’ for that final pay-day, few would have argued with a decision to go down such a route. But instead, the remaining trio started a clean slate, disposing of all their previous management and production team- they were to create the album that they wanted and very much on their terms. Gone were the men in suits demanding deadlines and a certain commercial sound, the album would be ready when they felt comfortable and, more importantly, proud of it.

Lead singer Deryck Whibley handed Gigwise an insight into the very different process of making and producing new album ‘Underclass Hero’. He explained: “I was only going to do an album when I was excited about it. After about six months we started getting our enthusiasm back. It was then a year of writing and then another three months of recording. With no deadline, we spent a lot longer on it and worked till we thought it was there. I produced it myself so it feels even more special. The lyrics are way more personal and more meaningful and our sound is more creative and energetic.”

Deryck is clearly immensely proud and excited about their forthcoming release, but there had been a time when he understandably harboured thoughts about giving it all up for a quieter life. He ponders: “There were lots of times when I wasn’t on tour or doing an album when I thought, ‘This is life, I could do this forever’. But it’s two different lives being married and being in a band and constantly touring. They are both equally great”. Even if Sum 41 did come to an end, this would not necessarily signify Deryck’s exit from music. It is a passion and an undying love as he admits: “I think I will always be in music, I don’t think I could ever switch off from that. Even if I was just making music and nobody heard it.” This view is echoed by their former member, Dave ‘Brownsound’ Baksh who since departing Sum 41 has embarked on a new project ‘The Brown Brigade’. His desire to play a more classical metal sound resulted in ‘artistic differences’ and the split was made.

Away from music, Sum 41 are involved in a lot more than your average pop-punk band, their on-going association with the charity War Child is close to Deryck’s heart and this was greatly enhanced by a frontline experience that nearly cost their lives. While out in the Democratic Republic of Congo the lads were suddenly caught in crossfire while making a documentary and their lives were very much in danger. If not for the heroics of a United Nations peacekeeper named Charles ‘Chuck’ Pelletier, the outcome could have been very different. He guided the Canadian punksters to safety along with 40 other civilians. Consequently their previous album was named ‘Chuck’ and dedicated to him.