This is really interesting:
JoonBug
Despite the fact that big summer shows like Christina Aguilera have been cancelled due to high ticket prices and the drowning economy, the Warped Tour continues to thrive. With a lineup that includes 50 plus bands for far less than $50, the tour continues to sell out venues across the country including Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, which will host the show Saturday, July 24.
In anticipation of the all-day celebration of punk music, Mike Rothman sat down with one of the headliners, Sum 41 drummer and co-founder Steve Jocz to talk about the band’s new album “Screaming Bloody Murder†set to be released October, the Warped Tour itself and how it helped form Sum 41, and even a bit about the Avril Lavigne breakup.
Mike – The Warped Tour is thriving, while others are failing. Why do you think that is?
Steve – Over the years, Warped Tour has proved itself to be one of the more consistent ones. It is different from when I used to go but the same spirit is there. You get like 100 bands a day for like $40, it is a good deal. We went to Warped Tour in 1996 and started our band the next day.
Mike – Talk a little more about forming the band one day after going to Warped Tour in 1996.
Steve – Well, Deryck [Whibley, lead singer] and I were in another band that sounded like Weezer when we were like 15. We went to Warped Tour and the next day were like ‘We want to be in that kind of band!’
Mike – Have you been playing some of the new stuff from “Screaming Bloody Murder†(2010) on this tour?
Steve – Not really. We only play for about 30 minutes and it has just been all singles. The fans don’t know the new stuff yet, so we stick to what they know and keep the 30 minutes as big as possible. I love playing new music but in my experience going to shows, it is not the most exciting part of the set when the band says they are going play a new one.
Mike – What’s the deal with the name “Screaming Bloody Murder†for the new album?
Steve – We feel like we need to be really loud right now. I think it is just kind of a cool sounding title. The record is done and will be out in the fall. It is heavy, it is intense. It has got big epic parts and quiet cool parts.
Mike – The first song to be leaked off the album was "Scumfuck". What’s the identity of that song?
Steve – To be honest, I don’t even know what that one is about. I haven’t heard the leaked version. The last time I heard it was when Deryck had it in demo form and when he does demos, he doesn’t have lyrics because he does that at the very end. As far as I am concerned it means absolutely nothing but I’m sure he’s changed that and it means something.
Mike – Any song from the new album you are pumped about?
Steve – There is kind of like three songs all in one that we are going to be releasing it on our website in about a week or two as a free download. It is like 12 minutes long and a good representation of the rest of the album.
Mike – Is the very public Avril-Deryck breakup going to be featured on the new album?
Steve – I think there might be one or two songs about that. I know the entire record is not just about that but I think there is one song that might be.
Mike – So, personally I heard that you are starting to direct music videos?
Steve – Yeah in my sort of off time, I direct for this company Rockhard Films. I haven’t had time lately because I’ve been on the road. I did do one for 3OH!3 and Katy Perry. The song is called “Starstruckâ€Â. It is on YouTube.
Mike – It was a pleasure and I am going to bring on Rob Weisler, your fan, for just a couple questions.
Rob – I appreciate the time today, I have been a huge Sum 41 fan forever. In the past you guys have collaborated with a ton of stars. Any collaboration on the new CD?
Steve – Um No. Ha-ha. In the past when we collaborate, it is usually something in between records. With Ludacris, he wanted a rock band to play with him on Saturday Night Live, when we played with Tommy Lee, we were doing something for MTV.
Rob – What’s the sound going to be like on this new album?
Steve – It sounds different than anything we have ever done I think but it is similar to “Chuck†(2004), it is heavy and intense.
Rob – Well, I am going to turn it back over to Mike but tell Deryck for me Brody Jenner is a loser and I look forward to seeing the Warped Tour.