Sum 41 have named their third album Chuck as a tribute to United Nations representative Chuck Pelletier, who the band members credit with saving their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo back in May. The Canadian rockers were shooting a documentary in the war-torn African nation when fighting between a militia and the newly formed national army erupted on May 26th. The band hid in a hotel bathroom to avoid the gunfire.
“Chuck Pelletier made an evacuation plan, putting us all in groups to get us into armored tanks,” Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley told Rolling Stone. “He was such a hero; he saved forty-five people’s lives that day… We were all hugging each other and basically saying, ‘I love you – we’re gonna die now.’… It was the most unbelievable fear.”
According to Whibley, the album, due October 12th, showcases a more mature punk quartet than was displayed on 2001’s All Killer No Filler and 2002’s Does This Look Infected?. “We’ve always written from our life experiences,” he said. “In the beginning all we did was go to school and party, all that stupid shit, but as we get older some serious stuff is happening to people around us.”
Sum 41 have a string of North American tour dates scheduled before Chuck’s release.
Sum 41 Tour Dates:
- 8/27 – Vancouver, Plaza of Nations
- 8/28 – Sylvan Lake, AB, Lake Festival
- 9/4 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Roberta Bondar Center
- 9/5 – Bala, ON, Kee To Bala
- 9/18 – Halifax, NS, Citadel Hill
- 9/23 – Prince George, BC, Prince George Multiplex
- 9/25 – Salt Lake City, Utah State Fairgrounds