Steve Jocz of Sum 41 interview

How was the band formed?

We started the band in high school, Deryck and I met we were in separate and bands he needed a drummer for his band so I joined that band and then erm we went to a concert in the states called  funk tour which is like a funk concert. And after that we decide to make a band, a different kind of band so we started Sum 41 then Cone joined in later, so we started in high school.

I read online that Deryck convinced you that you were the best drummer around so that you’d join the band, true?

Yea well he thought that I was pretty good and his drummer and the band that he was in wasn’t very good so he kicked that guy out and I joined the band.

How would you describe Sum 41’s music?

We just say tis rock music you know I mean we also like lots of stuff so we just say we’re a rock band I don’t think we’re a punk band and I don’t think we’re a heavy metal band but we incorporate those elements into our songs, rock is kind of like a good blanket description I think. 

How did you come up with the name Sum 41?

We started the band 41 days into summer in 1996.

Can you tell me a little about your new album?

Well It’s called Screaming Bloody Murder erm you know its like our heaviest album the darkest album we have to date you know it was really fun to make and you know the way he sort of approached it was different from other albums where we felt rushed, we took our time and wrote tons of songs some of them made it some of them didn’t and when we were finally done  it was great. Deryck produced it and he did a great job.

Where did you come up with the name Screaming Bloody Murder?

That was just something that came up, Deryck he called me like way before we even started and he just thought it was be a pretty cool name for the album and I said that it would and then we just didn’t do anything for a while and then the album came about and we just sort of went with it. So  there was really nothing about it it just sort of popped into Deryck’s head and I liked it.

Where are you guys right now?

We’re In Shanghai we’re playing tonight, before that we were in Beijing and Japan. So tonight its Shanghai and tomorrow we’re in Taiwan. 

How do you feel about coming to Malaysia to perform? Have you been here before?

We’ve never been and we’re really excited I know we had to cancel last year so I’m really excited to be make it up you know I’ve always wanted to go and er I hear from other friends that its great here the shows are great and I’m really stoked to come.

Do you prefer performing live or playing in the studio?

Erm we all like performing live, I think studio although I like making albums it feels more like work whereas the shows are just really fun so you know I much prefer playing live.

Does touring ever get boring?

Erm I mean it kind of if you its exciting if you want it to be if you sit around and don’t do anything it can get boring. We always  try and go site seeing in places and check out touristy type things because we get the chance to go to all these places. Where should we go to in Kuala Lumpur??

Erm there are a lot of places you should definitely go to Batu Caves!

THAT’S THE ONE, I hear that back. Everyone tells me about the towers but then I looked at the Batu Caves and it look awesome. So we’ll go that then probably I mean the food in asia is just so great! 

You guys definitely have to eat Malaysian food! It’s really good!

Yea I should try a laksa, I like laksa. Touring is always fun it’s a cool thing to do and we’ve been doing it for so long, it’s fun.

What’s the best thing about touring?

I think it’s just visiting different places that you normally wouldn’t have gone to I mean everyone in Canada normally travels to Europe or the States. No one travels to asia. I don’t know if I would have travelled to Asia if I wasn’t in the band I don’t know if I would have made it to eastern europe we’ve been to so many places in Europe you get like a month in your life to travel some people never get to travel. So I think that’s the best part.

You guys were nominated for best hard rock/metal performance at the Grammys how does that make you feel?

Its great I mean it’s completely out of the blue I didn’t even know the grammys were happening at that time we don’t really pay attention to stuff like that. Then I got an email from my tour manager saying congratulations and i  didn’t even know what he was talking about. We were all really excited I mean it’s a big thing, the grammys are huge. It was just really exciting and fun its not the most important thing in the world, touring and our fans are. 

Are you guys working on another album?

Erm not yet I mean, we’re still gonna tour this one we haven’t talked about a new album there will definitely be another album. I don’t think we’re ready to move on. 

What type of music did you listen to growing up?

When we were growing up we listened to em,  of sorts of stuff we listened to metallica and iron maiden and sort of punk rock stuff you know other things to what our parents listened to. The beatles, the stones.

Do you consider your band to be accomplished musicians?

I think we’re okay theres always room for improvement. I don’t think any of us are finished learning ho to play our instruments and perform as a band or whatever there is always new stuff to learn and new stuff to try, that’s what keeps it fun.