Brownsound Quits Sum 41

Sum 41 lead guitarist Dave Brownsound has left the band.

"I couldn't continue on creatively in Sum 41 without being a thorn in the side of the band," said Brownsound in a statement issued by Upper Management late Thursday afternoon.

"As people grow, they change. All I can ask is that our fans understand and accept my thanks for being there for me whenever I was feeling happy, sad or depressed. Grab the devil by the horns and fuck him in the ass."

Sum 41 were formed 10 years ago in Ajax, Ontario, and all of their LPs have featured Brownsound (real name Dave Baksh), Deryck Whibley, Steve Jocz and Jason "Cone" McCaslin. Since then, they've released five albums that have sold millions of copies around the world. The group have toured extensively and are one of Canada's major rock exports. Their most recent album, Go Chuck Yourself, was a live disc that came out earlier this year.

The band are almost as well known for their antics as they are for their music, and seemed to be a close-knit group. Brownsound insists that's still the case, despite his departure.

"The first thing Steve, Cone and Deryck told me was that they just want me to be happy. It was awesome to hear that we all had the same feelings. We are brothers and no matter what, they are Sum 41 and they will make an incredible album. Peace love and all of the above."

There was no word from the other members of Sum 41 or their record companies by the time that this article was written.