Sumo Cyco

Sumo Cyco is an independent punk rock and heavy metal-based band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The band launched in March 2011 and has released two albums, sixteen singles, and seventeen official music videos.

Sumo Cyco
Sumo Cyco performance in England (2019)
Background information
OriginHamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2011–present
LabelsNapalm Records
Associated acts
Websitesumocyco.com
MembersSkye "Sever" Sweetnam
Matt "MD13" Drake
Matt Trozzi
Oscar Anesetti
Past membersRyan "Legs" Leger
Andy "Wolf" Joseph
Ken "Thor" Corke

Biography

Sumo Cyco first appeared as a punk-metal female-fronted band in Toronto, Canada in 2011. Their current members include Sever (formerly known as the solo artist Skye Sweetnam), Matt 'MD' Drake (formerly of the band Dodger) on guitars, and Ken 'Thor' Corke (formerly of the bands Skye Sweetnam, Kazzer, and Redlight King) on bass. Touring drummers have included Andy 'THE WOLF' Joseph (of Jojeto), Ryan "Legs" Leger (of Every Time I Die), and current touring drummer Matt Trozzi (of Victory Records)

2011–2013: Formation

The trio launched as a band in March 2011 and had their first show opening, for Hollywood Undead, in April of that year, performing to a crowd of a thousand.[1] Sumo Cyco has also shared a stage with Coal Chamber, Filter, Life of Agony, Finger Eleven, The Salads, and Raggadeath with Miche Mee. They have had songs mixed by Jag Tanna (of I Mother Earth), Julius "Juice" Butty (of Alexisonfire), and Matt DeMatteo (of Big Wreck), amongst others. One song, "Interceptor”, was featured on YouTuber Ray William Johnson's channel, obtaining over 5 million views. Sumo Cyco has a strong presence online and directs both their own music videos and promotional films.

The band mixes influences from the likes of System of a Down, Rob Zombie, and No Doubt. Musically, their sound blends heavy metal guitars, blast beats, and dancehall rhythms.

The band won Best Female-Fronted Band at the Toronto Independent Music Awards of 2012.[2] The band also won at Indie Week Toronto, Oct. 20th, 2013, and attended Indie Week Ireland in Limerick in April 2014.[3]

Sumo Cyco's live performance at Download Festival 2019 in England

During this period, the band released seven singles, all of which were launched with music videos. The music video for "MERCY" is set in a bright, asylum-like cartoon prison, while the one for "LIMP" is a short zombie movie with a twist. The video genre for "Interceptor" is a clown murder mystery, while that for "Danger" is a space alien experiment gone hard rock. The video for "Who Do You Want to Be" features a day in the life of a girl with a TV for a head, while the one for "Where Do We Go?" features Sever and friends in a haunted house. Despite being made on a shoestring budget, the videos have gained hundreds of thousands of views. All were directed and produced by the band.

2014–2016: Touring and Lost in Cyco City

In October 2013, the band won in Indie Week Toronto and attended Indie Week Ireland in April 2014. Using the opportunity of being overseas, the band set up their first international tour, which they called Lost in Ireland & the UK, to promote their material to an international market. They toured various cities across Ireland, Scotland, and England.

On June 10, 2014, the band released their first album, Lost in Cyco City. The band later toured various countries in Europe (including the UK, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia) on their No Mercy tour, which took place in mid- to late April.

On March 10, 2015, the band announced that they had signed with TKO / The Kirby Organization Booking Agency for worldwide representation. TKO are known for booking hard rock and heavy metal acts such as Motörhead, Anthrax, and Sevendust.

In February 2016, touring drummer Andy Joseph left the band for personal reasons and was replaced by new touring drummer Matt Trozzi.

In April 2016, Sumo Cyco's song "Fighter" was announced as the theme song for the World Darts Association's (WDA) 2016 Merseyside Open.[4][5][6]

2017-Present: Touring and Opus Mar

On March 31, 2017, it was announced via Twitter that the band would release their sophomore upcoming second album, titled Opus Mar. The album has a guest appearance by Benji Webbe of Skindred on the single "Move Mountains," which was released on February 1, 2017.

In 2017, Sumo Cyco replaced Ludovico Technique in its tour with The Birthday Massacre and Army of the Universe. During this tour, Oscar Anesetti of The Rabid Whole filled in for Ken Corke.

Sumo Cyco opened up the main stage for The Offspring at the Sound of Music outdoor festival June 10, 2017.[7]

In October 2017 Sumo Cyco was able to travel to New Zealand to open for Devilskin on their 7 date cross country tour.[8]

Starting on April 25, 2018 Sumo Cyco opened for Butcher Babies and Nonpoint on their co-headline tour.[9]

On Friday June 14 Sumo Cyco played the Kerrang! Avalanche Stage at Download Festival 2019.[10]

In September 2019 Sumo Cyco joined Jinjer and The Browning for a 44 date tour of North America.[11]

In December 2019, Sumo Cyco announced that they would be opening for Wednesday 13 and The 69 Eyes on a tour through the USA, From January 24 through February 22, 2020.[12]

In January 2020, the band announced their signing to Napalm Records.

Discography

Music videos
Year Video Director
2011 "Mercy" Sumo Cyco
"Limp"
"Interceptor"
"Danger"
2012 "Who Do You Want to Be?"
"Loose Cannon"
"Where Do We Go"
2013 "The Ugly"
2014 "Go Go Go"
"Cry Murder"
"Brave"
2015 "Fighter"
"Like a KILLER"
2016 "Fuel My Fire"
"Crowd Control"
"Anti Anthem"
2017 "Move Mountains (Feat Benji Webbe)"
"Sleep Tight"
"New Rules" (Dua Lipa Cover)
2018 "Free Yourself (Feat Lars)"
"Undefeated"
2019 "Love You Wrong"
"Run With The Giants"

Singles
Year Titles Length
2011 "Danger" 3:16
"Limp" 3:38
2012 "Who Do You Want to Be?" (Oingo Boingo cover) 3:33
"Mercy" 3:22
"Loose Cannon" 3:53
"Where Do We Go?" 4:04
2013 "The Ugly" 4:56
2014 "Go Go Go" 3:18
"Cry Murder" 3:52
"Brave" 3:17
2015 "Fighter" 4:27
"Like a Killer" 4:04
2016 "Fuel My Fire" 3:50
"Crowd Control" 4:10
"Anti Anthem" 3:50
2017 "Move Mountains" (featuring Benji Webbe) 3:45
"Sleep Tight" 4:41
"New Rules (Dua Lipa Cover)" 3:38
2018 "Free Yourself (Featuring Lars)" 4:55
"Undefeated" 4:12
2019 "Love You Wrong" 3:53

References
  1. Sumo Cyco - Get Off (Live) Oh No They Didn't. April 15, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  2. Toronto Independent Music Awards Website. December 3, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  3. The Scene Magazine
  4. Sumo Cyco Press Release Sumo Cyco Official Website. April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  5. Sumo Cyco Release Oingo Boing Cover as New Single Bandaid Records.com. January 29, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  6. Sumo Cyco first album names from Official Youtube blog Retrieved February 5, 2014, on Fontana North in Canada.
  7. http://exclaim.ca/music/article/burlingtons_sound_of_music_adds_smash_mouth_marianas_trench_to_2017_edition. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. https://www.ambientlightblog.com/devilskin-announce-sumo-cyco-tour-support/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. https://loudwire.com/butcher-babies-nonpoint-kings-and-queens-2018-co-headlining-tour/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/music/2019/06/17/rock-fans-enjoy-stellar-weekend-of-music-at-download-festival-review-with-bumper-gallery/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. https://vulturehound.co.uk/2019/06/sumo-cyco-download-festival-the-vh-interview/ https://metalanarchy.com/2019/06/18/sumo-cyco-added-to-jinjer-the-brownings-north-american-tour/ https://vulturehound.co.uk/2019/06/sumo-cyco-download-festival-the-vh-interview/ Check |url= value (help). Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. https://metalinjection.net/photos/photos-the-69-eyes-wednesday-13-the-crowned-sumo-cyco-invade-new-york-city. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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