Sumo Cyco
Sumo Cyco | |
|---|---|
 Skye Sweetnam of Sumo Cyco performing in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Napalm Records |
| Members | Skye "Sever" Sweetnam Matt "MD13" Drake Oscar Anesetti Joey Muha |
| Past members | Matt Trozzi Ryan "Legs" Leger Andy "Wolf" Joseph Ken "Thor" Corke |
| Website | sumocyco |
Sumo Cyco is a Canadian rock band from Hamilton, Ontario, consisting of lead vocalist Skye Sweetnam, Matt "MD13" Drake (guitar/vocals), Oscar Anesetti (bass/vocals), and Joey Muha (drums). The band launched in March 2011 and has released three albums, twenty-six singles, and twenty-four official music videos.
Biography
Sumo Cyco first appeared as a punk-metal female-fronted band in Toronto, Canada in 2011.
The band currently consists of Skye Sweetnam (lead vocals), Matt Drake (guitars/vocals), Oscar Anesetti (bass/vocals), and Joey Muha (drums).[1]
2011–2013: Formation
Sumo Cyco launched in March 2011 and had their first show, opening for Hollywood Undead, in April of that year, performing to a crowd of a thousand.[2] Sumo Cyco has also shared the stage with Coal Chamber, Filter, Life of Agony, Finger Eleven, The Salads, and Raggadeath with Michie Mee. Their songs have been mixed by Jag Tanna (I Mother Earth), Julius "Juice" Butty (Alexisonfire), and Matt DeMatteo (Big Wreck), among others. One song, "Interceptor", was featured on YouTuber Ray William Johnson's channel, garnering over five 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 group won Best Female-Fronted Band at the Toronto Independent Music Awards of 2012.[3] They also won at Indie Week Toronto, October 20, 2013, and attended Indie Week Ireland in Limerick in April 2014.[4]
During this period, the band released seven singles, all of which were launched with music videos, and all self-directed and self-produced.
2014–2016: Touring and Lost in Cyco City
In October 2013, the Sumo Cyco won in the 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. They 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, Sumo Cyco 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.[5][6][7]
2017–2019: Touring and Opus Mar
On March 31, 2017, it was announced via Twitter that Sumo Cyco would release their sophomore album, titled Opus Mar. The record includes a guest appearance by Benji Webbe of Skindred on the single "Move Mountains," 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 on June 10, 2017.[8]
In October 2017, the band was able to travel to New Zealand to open for Devilskin on their seven-date cross-country tour.[9]
Starting on April 25, 2018, Sumo Cyco opened for Butcher Babies and Nonpoint on their co-headline tour.[10]
On June 14, Sumo Cyco played the Kerrang! Avalanche Stage at Download Festival 2019.[11]
In September 2019, they joined Jinjer and The Browning for a 44-date tour of North America.[12]
In December 2019, Sumo Cyco announced that they would be opening for Wednesday 13 and The 69 Eyes on a tour through the US, from January 24 through February 22, 2020.[13]
2020–present: Napalm Records and Initiation
In January 2020, the band announced their signing to Napalm Records. They released their third album, Initiation, on May 7, 2021. A deluxe version of Initiation was released on October 8, 2021, featuring the new single "Sun Eater".
Matt Trozzi departed from the band in 2021. He was replaced by Joey Muha.
Band timeline
Discography
Studio albums
- Lost in Cyco City (2014)
- Opus Mar (2017)
- Initiation (2021)
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" | 3:20 |
| "Run With the Giants" | 3:53 | |
| 2021 | "Bystander" | 4:05 |
| "No Surrender" | 4:28 | |
| "Vertigo" | 4:10 | |
| "Bad News" | 3:54 | |
| "Sun Eater" | 4:14 |
References
- ^ "UPDATE & HANG OUT! Tour Postponed, Drummer Update & MORE!". YouTube. September 19, 2021.
- ^ Sumo Cyco - Get Off (Live) Oh No They Didn't. April 15, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ Toronto Independent Music Awards Website. December 3, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
- ^ "Sumo Cyco crowned kings at INDIE WEEK 2013 | The Scene Magazine".
- ^ Sumo Cyco Press Release Sumo Cyco Official Website. April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ Sumo Cyco Release Oingo Boing Cover as New Single Bandaid Records.com. January 29, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
- ^ Sumo Cyco first album names from Official Youtube blog Retrieved February 5, 2014, on Fontana North in Canada.
- ^ "Sound of Music Adds Smash Mouth and Spin Doctors to 2017 Edition". exclaim.ca.
- ^ "Devilskin announce Sumo Cyco as tour support". August 9, 2017.
- ^ "Butcher Babies + Nonpoint Team Up for 2018 Co-Headlining Tour". Loudwire.
- ^ "Rock fans enjoy stellar weekend of music at Download Festival - review with bumper gallery". www.expressandstar.com.
- ^ Raczka, Jozef (June 21, 2019). "Sumo Cyco @ Download Festival (The VH Interview)".
- ^ Bailey, Jason (January 29, 2020). "Photos: THE 69 EYES, WEDNESDAY 13, THE CROWNED, SUMO CYCO Invade New York City". Metal Injection.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
