Post by Heather on Mar 8, 2011 9:21:28 GMT -5
Hollywood Dame Exclusive Interview with Stevo
How did Sum 41 come together and how did you come up with the name?
We got together on the 41st day of summer in 1996 after a Warped Tour concert.
How would you describe the sound of your music?
Our music is heavy and aggressive. It’s fast and fun. Very melodic.
How has your music changed since you first started?
I think we’ve become better. Our songwriting have improved and become much more honest. Our musicianship has improved. We’ve taken giant leaps forward and have more confidence.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or experienced while touring?
All sorts of things. But the craziest has to be a documentary in Africa we were shooting. The Democratic Republic of Congo wanted a band to come over and document the civil war in the country and while we were there all sorts of fighting broke out, and it became this crazy battle with shots being fired, mortars, people dying… We couldn’t get out, so we were stuck, but also dodging bullets and grenades and RPG’s and stuff. We started running from room to room because rooms were getting blown up. We had to be evacuated by the UN… I think that was the craziest thing I ever experienced in life.
What are some things you like to do when you are not touring?
We all do our own things. I like to direct music videos, Cone has a side project called ‘The Operation M.D.’, Deryck likes to produce and write for people. We really all just enjoy being in one place for a while.
Have you toured with anyone that you look at as major influences?
Metallica, Motley Crue, and everyone on Warped Tour have been the most influencing, like Pennywise and NOFX. We worked with Iggy Pop as well. We have major respect for everyone we’ve ever worked with.
Who would you love to work with in the studio, or to tour with?
We’ve worked with tons of people. A lot of our collaborations in the past, we’ve been asked to do. I can’t really think of anyone at the moment, except for maybe Elvis Costello.
Your new album ‘Screaming Bloody Murder’ comes out March 29th. How is it different from your past records, but also how you stay true to the Sum 41-sound that everybody knows and loves.
We’ve always tried different things and explored different sounds. I think our fans, when we sound different, they are fine with that. The new album is darker, heavier, and more aggressive. It’s more melodic and fans will be able to see that.
What do you think the new album will encompass that previous albums haven’t?
I don’t know really. We don’t really think about it that way. The new album reeks new levels of honesty to it. It’s not forced or faked. It has sincere, raw honesty to it that a lot of artists can never get.
What’s the next step for you guys?
Just to keep touring. Our album comes out on the 29th so we’ll keep touring for the next two years or so.
How did Sum 41 come together and how did you come up with the name?
We got together on the 41st day of summer in 1996 after a Warped Tour concert.
How would you describe the sound of your music?
Our music is heavy and aggressive. It’s fast and fun. Very melodic.
How has your music changed since you first started?
I think we’ve become better. Our songwriting have improved and become much more honest. Our musicianship has improved. We’ve taken giant leaps forward and have more confidence.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or experienced while touring?
All sorts of things. But the craziest has to be a documentary in Africa we were shooting. The Democratic Republic of Congo wanted a band to come over and document the civil war in the country and while we were there all sorts of fighting broke out, and it became this crazy battle with shots being fired, mortars, people dying… We couldn’t get out, so we were stuck, but also dodging bullets and grenades and RPG’s and stuff. We started running from room to room because rooms were getting blown up. We had to be evacuated by the UN… I think that was the craziest thing I ever experienced in life.
What are some things you like to do when you are not touring?
We all do our own things. I like to direct music videos, Cone has a side project called ‘The Operation M.D.’, Deryck likes to produce and write for people. We really all just enjoy being in one place for a while.
Have you toured with anyone that you look at as major influences?
Metallica, Motley Crue, and everyone on Warped Tour have been the most influencing, like Pennywise and NOFX. We worked with Iggy Pop as well. We have major respect for everyone we’ve ever worked with.
Who would you love to work with in the studio, or to tour with?
We’ve worked with tons of people. A lot of our collaborations in the past, we’ve been asked to do. I can’t really think of anyone at the moment, except for maybe Elvis Costello.
Your new album ‘Screaming Bloody Murder’ comes out March 29th. How is it different from your past records, but also how you stay true to the Sum 41-sound that everybody knows and loves.
We’ve always tried different things and explored different sounds. I think our fans, when we sound different, they are fine with that. The new album is darker, heavier, and more aggressive. It’s more melodic and fans will be able to see that.
What do you think the new album will encompass that previous albums haven’t?
I don’t know really. We don’t really think about it that way. The new album reeks new levels of honesty to it. It’s not forced or faked. It has sincere, raw honesty to it that a lot of artists can never get.
What’s the next step for you guys?
Just to keep touring. Our album comes out on the 29th so we’ll keep touring for the next two years or so.