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Steve Jocz

Sum 41

Steve Jocz' musical career began as little more than a joke. When he met future Sum 41 vocalist, Deryck Whibley in high school in Canada, the two decided to form an off-the-wall pop-punk band and began playing shows around their hometown of Ajax, Ontario. But what was born as a way to kill time and have some fun soon turned serious when Sum 41 began opening for much bigger bands in Toronto and fielding offers from big-time record companies. Their break came when Jocz was just 18 years old, and Island/Def Jam Records flew him and his bandmates down to L.A. to offer them a record deal. They hit the road soon after, touring with top-billing punk acts like NOFX and Pennywise.

Sum 41 released their first full-length album, All Killer No Filler, in 2001, and hit big with singles “Fat Lip” and “In Too Deep.” With its combination of fast, catchy riffs and vocal melodies, the album became an instant mainstream standard in the genre, thanks in no small part to Jocz' hyperactive energy and infectious beats. After the huge success of All Killer No Filler, Sum 41 released Does This Look Infected? in 2002. The band toured extensively before and after the release of this album, playing the Warped Tour in 2001 and 2003.

A ten-month-long break followed, after which they began work on a new album. In 2004, Jocz and company went to the Democratic Republic Of Congo with War Child Canada to document the civil war raging there. Fighting erupted near the band’s hotel in Bukavu and they were forced to flee with the help of UN Peacekeeper Chuck Pelletier.

In dedication to Pelletier, Sum 41 named their next album Chuck, and released it that same year. While this album certainly retains some elements of pop-punk, it has more melodies and heavier rock anthems as well. The record also has a more serious tone, showing the group becoming more involved with political and social issues. Sum 41’s newest album, Underclass Hero, was released in 2007. It featured the singles “Underclass Hero,” “Walking Disaster,” and “With Me”.

—Greg Dawson