It’s one thing to havean award-winning punk-rock bandname an album after you. But when it’s because you literally saved their lives in the middle of a war, that honor hits differently. WhenSum 41released their third album,Chuck, in October 2004, fans were caught off guard by the shift. Gone were the rowdy rap verses of “Fat Lip.” In their place was something darker, heavier — a sobering reflection of the world’s brutality. While production for the album had begun in 2003, it was only until 2004 that their third album had a name. More than a title,Chuckbecame a tribute to a man who risked everything to protect them, and to a moment that changed the bandfrom rambunctious Canadian teenagersto adults with a tight grip on reality.
The Documentary “Rocked: Sum 41 in Congo” Followed the Band to War-Torn Congo
In May 2004, during a break from their tour following the release of their second albumDoes This Look Infected?,Sum 41traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with War Child Canada.Their mission was to document the lives of people in a country devastated by eight years of war. The band aimed to raise awareness of the region’s turmoil, but their trip quickly became dangerous. Although the band had prior knowledge that the country was in the middle of political tension, what they didn’t expect was for the situation to escalate drastically during their eight-day stay.
The documentary Sum 41 was attached to,Rocked: Sum 41 in Congo, gives a bit of context into the region’s conflict: in 1997, rebels overthrew dictatorMobutu Sese Seko. By 2001, chaos ensued, and PresidentLaurent Kabilawas assassinated. His son,Joseph Kabila, assumed leadership. A peace treaty was signed in 2002, but instability deepened. Years before this, the crisis was largely triggered by the 1994 Rwandan genocide,which sent millions of refugees, among them extremists, into the Congo. In response, Rwandan, Ugandan, and other foreign forces invaded,leading to a civil warinvolving six countries and countless rebel factions.
In the beginning, Sum 41’s trip appeared peaceful.The band traveled through rural villages and worked alongside MONUC, the UN mission in the Congo, supported by 16,000 peacekeepers.Sum 41 interacted closely with local communities by visiting youth rehabilitation centers, interacting with children affected by war, and even going deep into forests where they encountered gorillas in the band. However, nearing the end of their trip, Sum 41’s lives are about to get literally rocked.
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Canadian Veteran and U.N. Peacekeeper Chuck Pelletier Rescued Sum 41 From a War Zone
On the sixth night of Sum 41’s trip to the Congo, what began as a humanitarian mission quickly turned into a near-death experience.The band had just returned to the Orchid Hotel when gunshots began across town.At first, the band didn’t panic. However, when the shots grew louder and closer, they were ducking for cover in their rooms.Philip Wrightfrom the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa explained that rebel groups had attempted to enter the area but were intercepted by the military, triggering the shootout. While the attack wasn’t directly tied to the band’s visit, they were right in the danger zone if things escalated.
As the night went on, the gunshots turned into explosions, with rocket-propelled grenades fired just outside their windows. By 5 a.m., it was clear that Sum 41 had to get out.But no one knew how. U.N. peacekeeper and Canadian military vet, Chuck Pelletier, arrived in the nick of time to keep everyone calm. Armed with his walkie-talkie and a club, Pelletier kept everyone in the hotel updated, checking in with OMNUC and coordinating safety measures. The band huddled with about 40 others in a single room, with Sum 41 crouched in the bathroom.
As the building began to shake and lights cut out, Pelletier led the evacuation. Under his guidance, everyone moved low and fast through a scene straight out of a war movie.Sum 41’s group was safely transported to a U.N. compound via APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) tanks and trucks.By the end, the MONUC base became a refuge for over 1,000 Congolese and 50 foreigners. In honor of Pelletier’s heroism, Sum 41 named their third album “Chuck.”
In 2025, Original ‘Sum 41’ Drummer Steve Jocz Reunites with Chuck
Twenty years afterRocked: Sum 41 in Congowas released,former Sum 41 drummer Jocz reunited with Pelletier for an interview on his YouTube channel, providing a minute-by-minute look into how the 2004 conflict erupted in the first place. Looking back on those days, Pelletier admitted he had no idea who Sum 41 were at the time,despite all of them being Canadian. He just figured they were some foreign visitors in Congo hoping to see gorillas in the wild.
The two also talked about howChuckgot its name. Pelletier recalled someone from the band turning to him during the crisis and saying,“If we get out of this alive, we’re gonna name our next album after you.”He didn’t think much of it at the time. A few months later, Pelletier got a phone call from his nephew asking if he knew a punk rock album had just come out with his name on it, much to his gleeful surprise. On top of having an album named in his honor, Pelletier was later awardeda Medal of Braveryby the Governor General of Canada for his actions during the conflict.
