Dave 'Brownsound' Baksh - Sum 41 'How The End Begins...'
I refuse to believe this is the end of Sum 41.But much like the stages of grief, I'm stuck in denial and it's happening whether we like it or not. After a solid 30 years of rocking the fuck out, The Sums will call it a day after waking up on February 1st next year, following an extensive world tour in support of their final album Heaven :x: Hell - and yes, that includes a stop in Australia between now and then. More on that soon.After decades of personal health battles, frontman Derryck Whibley called upon his fellow bandmates to let them know his intentions and as lead guitarist Dave 'Brownsound' Baksh revealed when we sat down with him for a final chat (here come the tears), it was a unanimous decision throughout.
"It was very unanimous right away. Each of us received an email from Derryck... I won't explain what was in the email 'cause that's between the two of us, but it was just a beautiful explanation as to why he felt it was time for the band to step aside. And absolutely right!
I know it hurts, but it's kind of the best way to go out with the best thing we've done with this lineup (album-wise) and just the high that the band is on right now. It's gonna be hard once February 1st hits and we're all left with nothing to do but a bunch of gear [laughs] but the ride right now is so important and soaking in every moment is just something we never do, but we get to on this time."
I can't say this enough, this interview needs to be watched, so settle in and click play - however, if you're a reader, continue for some important bits you'll need to know.https://youtu.be/hR6rH6LEKccIf you've listened to 'How The End Begins', the final track on Heaven :x: Hell - you'll know just how gut-wrenching it is to hear Derryck singing about this being the end, how nothing good ever lasts and how despite giving it his all, he continued to question his place in the music scene. It's a raw, powerful rock song that leaves a lasting impression as it signals the end of the band.Personally, I'm drawn to it every time I hit play on the record, so I had to find out from Dave if this was intentional and if it was always destined to be the final track.
"With Derryck, he will always write something and he'll let the song lead him where to go. This could be one of many songs that he had considered for the end of the record, but I don't think he could have picked a more perfect track to sum up what we've done and the ride that he's been on.
I've always been a fan of how he can capture the stories we've lived through within such a small window with choice words. And I guess that's why he's a man of few words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZCkHAienoIFollowing Davey B's return to Sum41 in 2015 (after departing back in 2006), the band went on to produce three note-worthy metal/hard rock albums in succession - 13 Voices, Order In Decline and the Hell side of this double release - where he showed off his exceptional shredding skills; many of which harked back to memorable guitar solos from earlier material such as 'In Too Deep', 'The Bitter End' and 'The Hell Song'.Dave's riffage was a key feature in what made Sum 41 more than just your typical alternative rock or mislabelled pop punk outfit throughout the early 2000s. He always has been (and always will be) one of my favourite guitarists from that era of my life, and so I questioned who he was influenced by when making these past three records, to which the shredmaster revealed.
"With lead guitars, I love Randy Rhodes. I love Dime, of course. Just the guitar players I grew up on. Spitz from Anthrax is amazing; if we're just talking shredding..."
Before stopping mid-sentence and sternly defending the next guitar god, who was principal in the overall sound of Heaven :x: Hell.
"And, I'm tired of people shitting on Kirk Hammet because Kirk Hammet is fucking rad and people need to just relax on that dude [because] Kill 'Em All happened; so shut the fuck up [laughs]"
"But that was literally the motif that Derryck gave... The one motif was 'These solos need to sound like Kirk on Kill 'Em All' and it was like, 'Okay I know exactly what to do'. Because that is some of the most raw and bluesy and rad soloing - it's that rock 'n roll heavy metal that Kirk captures every single time."
Case in point, 'I Don’t Need Anyone'.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI5YJW6SbPIAs for Australian fans, Brownsound confirmed we are in their sights for their world tour - which is set to conclude with a final farewell in Toronto on January 30th - back where it all began for the boys. While no specific dates or timeframe were mentioned (I did press him about a Good Things Festival appearance), he did highlight the significance of Aussie fans throughout their career.
"We will be back in Australia, as far as the deals and what we're doing, those are still being worked out. But one of the best things about our relationship with Australia is we can announce [shows] and people will be there. It's one of the greatest support fanbases that we've had in the past 30 years. It's crazy."
Long Live Sum 41.Interview by Paul ‘Browny’ Brown@brownypaul
Get Heaven :x: Hell here
Sum 41 – Heaven :x: Hell tracklisting
1. Waiting On A Twist Of Fate2. Landmines3. I Can’t Wait4. Time Won’t Wait5. Future Primitive6. Dopamine7. Not Quite Myself8. Bad Mistake9. Johnny Libertine10. Radio Silence11. Preparasi A Salire12. Rise Up13. Stranger In These Times14. I Don’t Need Anyone15. Over The Edge16. House Of Liars17. You Wanted War18. Paint It Black (Rolling Stones Cover)19. It’s ALL ME20. How The End Begins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tc4i31eWB0
