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Sum 41

Sum 41

Date: Oct 08 2007

Themes: Alternative, Music

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Pop punk was an all-out craze in the US five to ten years ago. The Offspring and Green Day shot to the top of the charts in 1995 and were followed by wildly successful bands like Blink 182.

In recent years, however, most of the popular pop punk bands either broke up, changed their style, or simply became unpopular. Not so with Canadian trio Sum 41. Their most recent album, Underclass Hero, is their most successful so far, and the formula of snotty vocals and power chords remains intact.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Beren

Beren

Marni:  So, are you a fan of Sum 41 and that whole genre of sort of like new, I don’t know…

Beren:  Like pop punk?

Marni:  Pop punk, yeah.

Beren:  Yeah. I’m not like a huge Sum 41 fan. I definitely know more about them than I should.

Marni:  Mm-k.

Beren:  Well, I mean, I just know who they are. That’s what I probably shouldn’t know…who they are.

Marni:  Yeah, I’m not a huge fan, but it’s kind of interesting. I know that the lead singer and guitarist is married to Avril Lavigne.

Beren:  Um-hm. His name is Deryck Whibley? Something like that…

Marni:  Something very similar to that. I actually catered once and had an interaction with him and he was very upset about the barbeque sauce selection.

Beren:  Why?

Marni:  Certain ingredients…I don’t know. He’s very particular.

Beren:  Is he vegan?

Marni:  I don’t know if it was dietary concerns or if he just wanted to throw around a rock star credo.

Beren:  A very specific palate?

Marni:  Yes. Exactly. Whatever. But anyhow, their music, I don’t know, it’s kind of interesting. I’m not really a big fan, but…

Beren:  They have such a huge audience though, which is kind of mind-blowing. They’re like gazillionaires.

Marni:  They are!

Beren:  Off of three chords, I mean…

Marni:  Well, that’s kind of that whole punk aesthetic. Three chords, make some magic.

 

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Discussion

Beren jokes that knowing who Sum 41 is is knowing too much about them because the style of music they play, pop punk, is generally regarded as pretty uncool by most Americans these days.

Marni catered an event that Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley was at, and he wasn’t exactly super cool either. He got all hurt about the barbeque sauce.

But, as Beren points out, Sum 41 is more popular that ever and making lots of money. Many of their songs only contain three chords, but that’s the tried and true formula for punk.

Do you like pop punk? Did you used to? Can you think of another band that remains popular despite the decline of the style of music they play?

 

Comments

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guidobln

guidobln

Germany

This was my first lesson here and it was funny. I like the native style of the speakers…

But "Sum 41" don't heard something about they until today. ;-)

05:08 PM Oct 08 2007 |

aizat

Malaysia

anyway they got a good songs
and I like the songs tittle “Wake me up when september ends” it was powerful song to me and wake me up from dreams and motivate myself to seek the solution for every problems I encounter everyday.Anyway..Happy Eid Aidilfitri
..:-)

02:43 PM Oct 08 2007 |

axl18

Peru

i like hear sum 41, I'd like to know what they say en their songs…

01:54 PM Oct 08 2007 |

jane0129

China

i like hear not sing

01:09 PM Oct 08 2007 |

jane0129

China

i like hear ,don't like sing,

01:07 PM Oct 08 2007 |

cameliya

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Today 's lesson was neither interesting nor boring.

i don't like punk music so much but seldom i listen to rock music.

12:22 PM Oct 08 2007 |

newmax

Congo

 Pop punk4! I have never heard about this kind of music. It' s sound to be a good music.  may someone , who know about this music, try to explain me what POP punk means really?

12:15 PM Oct 08 2007 |

Alexander02

Russian Federation

I don't like Sum 41 and the whole genre Pop-Punk. I think this is absurd. They play not because they like that music, but because they want to be very POPular (key word) and make big money on that. Imho.

11:54 AM Oct 08 2007 |

abdeeq

abdeeq

Somalia

i love it.

10:44 AM Oct 08 2007 |

RIMY

RIMY

Algeria

Hiiiiiiii!how r u guys? I like sum41 they play good music especially 4 parties,I know another band the "simple plan" I think they're also canadians and they are great,I can tell! Cool

10:16 AM Oct 08 2007 |

douae

Morocco

i likeeeeee it

10:13 AM Oct 08 2007 |

Johnny bai

Johnny bai

China

is that ture? Avril Laviqne married with leader of sum 41, though i never heard this band. I am crazy about Avril, so pop punk is okay, i like it.

09:04 AM Oct 08 2007 |

bitong

bitong

Philippines

it's nice to start the days right and end it right.

03:31 AM Oct 08 2007 |

rameez

rameez

Pakistan

Hi all of you!

           How  are you doing… Good Morning at this time in pakistan its 08:30AM… of MONDAY!:)

          Its intrested subjects which i have been read.Actually I personally like very slow music and rythem music. Poetry should be meaningfull.

                      thanks….!

03:29 AM Oct 08 2007 |

Christoph07

Germany

Another lesson about ‘stars’. Uuuaaaaa. I’ll go to bed. Its late now but not 6:29 this isnt my time:-). Tomorrow after news in radio I will listen NOMEANSNO -a funny Canadian punkband under the shower.

01:29 AM Oct 08 2007 |

ana p. dewiyana

Indonesia

I love Green Day :)

 

12:41 AM Oct 08 2007 |

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