Sneak Peek: Sum 41

They're juvenile, they're jerks and after what seems like eight years of hype and tomfoolery, their first full-length record, All Killer, No Filler will be coming out next week (May 8).

Having been dropped off at our office by a fellow we'll charitably refer to as Shiney McShinehead, the first listen to All Killer seems to indicate a high potential for dominance in the much crowded mall punk genre. What separates the Sum 41 wieners from most of these other bands is they've actually tried to rawk instead of puss out with too many of those I've-got-no-girlfriend-because-I'm-a-loser-punk tunes.

There's some pick slides, some twin guitar leads and some solid angst, so we're on it.

Early contenders for fav song were the lead-off single, "Fat Lip," the riffy "Motivation" and the metal send-up "Pain For Pleasure," which begs the question, "Why do all punkers even try to parody metal?"

We figure it's because they all secretly worship the ground Ronnie James Dio rocks on. The summer looks to be mighty busy for these guys as well. Their only Canadian appearance for the next little while will be when they touch down in Toronto on Saturday, May 12 for a record release party/concert. From there it will be back down to the States where they'll be hooking up with the Warped Tour. Later this summer, they're also expected to partake in some hot three-chord action with Blink 182 and The Offspring.