The subtitle of Deryck Whibley’s new memoir is “my life through heaven and hell” and as cliche as it may sound to make it a play off the title of his band’s new album, he’s actually 100% right. In “Walking Disaster” the Sum 41 frontman doesn’t hold back, uncovering a new side to his world that we haven’t heard.
If you grew up in the early to mid-2000’s, especially in Canada, it was impossible to escape Sum 41. Their catchy pop-punk tunes while also infusing their influences of hip-hop and metal were splashed across radio and TV. And as they grew older as a band, they’ve become a staple for the pop-punk genre. The guitar riff intros of Fat Lip or In Too Deep will bring any millennial to their knees.
In “Walking Disaster” Whibley covers many aspects of his life. From his early years growing up with a single teen mom and moving constantly, to first discovering music, starting bands and meeting what would eventually become the members of Sum 41. He also details his relationships with Paris Hilton and Avril Lavigne, as well as his current wife, Ariana Cooper. He dives very deep into the troubled, dark parts of his life, like his intense alcohol and drug abuse, which ultimately brings him to rock bottom. He shares his insecurities and his anxieties as a musician. And perhaps one of the biggest, saddest reveals of the book is the trauma he experienced at the hands of his former manager and mentor Greig Nori.
For anyone a fan of the band and are familiar with its lore, some of these stories may already be familiar, such as former drummer, Steve Jocz, leaving the band, or Whibley’s substance abuse, but Deryck doesn’t hold back, sharing all of the nitty gritty of conversations had and first hand experiences, really bringing the reader along with him. Fans may feel conflicted about hearing some of these stories as they certainly paint the other members of Sum 41 in a different light. Particularly when it comes to the head-butting between Jocz and Whibley or the distance between members as Whibley entered rehab. But the love for them is still very much there, as in the book’s acknoweldgements Deryck describes them as “the only brothers I’ve truly had in my life” and that “through good times and bad times, we will always be bonded for life.”
Deryck’s narrative, particularly when it comes to Sum 41, really makes it appear that he was the driving force behind the band. Being the primary songwriter, dictating choices of musical directions, hosting band meetings. It all very much felt like this band was his project, so it only made sense that he was the one to initiate the steps to call it quits. As the band embarks on the final leg of their farewell tour, their is no doubt they bring with them a legacy that will remain in the pop-punk genre for years to come. But as for Deryck, this book, feels like the most appropriate way to cap off his Sum 41 chapter. This is an honest and raw account of his life that shows the skyrocket to fame, a hard crash at rock bottom and picking himself back up again. It’s a true account of a traditional rock and roll lifestyle, but despite the odds, making it out on the other side, better than before.