Steve Jocz
The hyperkinetic drummer whose blistering beats and punk-rock antics provided the furious backbone for Sum 41's pop-punk takeover.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Canadian drummer·Birthday: July 23·Millennials
Biography
Before Sum 41 became a defining voice of early-2000s pop-punk, Steve Jocz was a teenager in Ajax, Ontario, filming skate videos with his friends. His entry into music was almost accidental; he picked up the drums because the band needed a drummer. That raw, energetic approach became Sum 41's signature. Jocz, often known as Stevo, was far more than a timekeeper—he was the band's manic engine and onstage provocateur. His powerful, precise playing drove hits like 'Fat Lip' and 'In Too Deep,' while his persona, complete with bleached hair and chaotic stage dives, embodied the genre's rebellious spirit. Beyond the kit, Jocz's creative eye shaped the band's visual identity. He directed many of their early, scrappy music videos, applying the same DIY ethos from his skate filming days. His departure from the band in 2013 marked the end of an era, but his work cemented him as a key architect of a sound that captured the angst and energy of a generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Steve was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Steve Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Steve's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Provided drums and backing vocals on Sum 41's multi-platinum album 'All Killer No Filler,' which featured the hit 'Fat Lip'.
- Directed many of Sum 41's early music videos, including the iconic video for 'In Too Deep'.
- Performed with Sum 41 at major global festivals and on worldwide tours throughout the 2000s.
- His drumming helped Sum 41 win a Grammy Award in 2012 for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.
Did You Know?
His stage nickname 'Stevo32' originated from his jersey number when he played ice hockey.
He directed music videos for other bands like 'The Black Maria' and 'Fefe Dobson'.
He was known for performing shirtless and often covered in various liquids or substances during Sum 41's concerts.
He is an avid skateboarder and incorporated that culture into the band's early image.
“I learned drums by playing along to Green Day in a garage.”
