Deryck Whibley on the final chapter of Sum 41

As the Canadian leg of Sum 41’s Tour of the Setting Sum approaches, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley is grappling with the bittersweet reality that the band is leaving.

The pop-punk icons have announced their decision to break up in 2023 and will play their final show at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on January 30, 2025, bringing an end to their 28-year career.

In an interview with Canada’s iHeartRadio, Whibley said the seriousness of the band’s final chapter finally came through. “There’s only four weeks left and this is the last round. So I finally realize it’s about to end.

Despite the nostalgia surrounding the farewell tour, Whibley admits he doesn’t naturally enjoy looking back. “I don’t spend a lot of time reminiscing,” he said, though he acknowledged that touring often evokes memories of the band’s storied past. “Every place I go, everything I do, every trip I take, every city I visit constantly reminds me of crazy stories, or even just silly things, For example, a great restaurant I went to.

Whibley also reflected on his own journey to sobriety, which he has been sober for nearly 11 years after a near-death experience from alcohol-related organ failure in 2014. 41″ to compare with the early wild days. Things you like, you actually feel more of, and when you drink, yes, there are a lot of crazy stories, there are a lot of crazy nights, but there are also a lot of nights where we just drink for no reason.”

He added, “There were a lot of boring nights where you just drank a bottle of jack or something and we all stayed up until six in the morning just driving on the bus and talking about stupid things that made no sense. But they just lived. The way is different.

“I don’t regret those years, but I’m glad I don’t do it anymore.”

Sum 41’s farewell was not without its challenges. Earlier this month, the band canceled Australian shows, including a joint performance at the Good Things Festival, due to Whibley’s recent battle with pneumonia. Despite health concerns, Whibley is determined to ensure the farewell tour goes ahead as planned.

Sum 41’s farewell tour caps off a year of Billboard milestones that mark their lasting impact on alternative rock. In early 2024, “Landmines” topped the Alternative Airplay charts, breaking the record for the longest gap between No. 1 singles – 22 years after “Fat Lip” reigned in 2001.

“Dopamine” continued its success, reaching number one on the charts on November 30, becoming the band’s first two top ten singles since 2001. The track also climbed to No. 6 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay charts, as well as Paradise:X:Helltheir final album, debuted at No. 23 on the Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart.

Fans of Sum 41 will have the chance to see the band live again during their encore performance at the Juno Awards in Vancouver on March 30.