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Jason McCaslin
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Key Information
Jason "Cone" McCaslin (born September 3, 1980)[1] is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the band Sum 41. He and frontman Deryck Whibley are the only two members of the band to appear on every studio album.
Early life
[edit]McCaslin began playing bass at the age of 14, as a member of a grunge garage band called Second Opinion. He is of Irish/Swedish descent.[2]
McCaslin attended Exeter High School in Ajax, Ontario along with fellow Sum 41 band members Deryck Whibley, Dave Baksh, and their former drummer Steve Jocz.
He acquired the nickname "Cone" from fellow band member Deryck Whibley in high school, because he frequently ate ice cream cones at lunch.[3][4]
Career
[edit]Sum 41
[edit]In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records. The band released their debut EP, Half Hour of Power, in 2000. Their first album, All Killer No Filler, was released in 2001. The band achieved mainstream success with their first single from the album, "Fat Lip", which reached number-one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and remains the band's most successful single to date.[5] All Killer No Filler was certified platinum in the United States, Canada and in the UK.[6] The band has since released seven more studio albums: Does This Look Infected? (2002), Chuck (2004) Underclass Hero (2007), Screaming Bloody Murder (2011), 13 Voices (2016), Order in Decline (2019), and Heaven :x: Hell (2024). Sum 41's first four studio albums are certified Platinum in Canada. McCaslin went by the name Sniper in Sum 41's alter-ego heavy metal band Pain For Pleasure, where the members of Sum 41 would parody a 1980s metal band.
The band often performed more than 300 times each year and held long global tours, most of which lasted more than a year.[7] They have been nominated for seven Juno Awards and have won twice (Group of the Year in 2002 and Rock Album of the Year for Chuck in 2005). Their fifth studio album, Screaming Bloody Murder, was released on March 29, 2011 and was nominated for a Grammy at the 2012 Grammys for the song "Blood in My Eyes" in the Hard Rock/Metal category.
Other appearances
[edit]He co-created the garage punk/garage rock side project The Operation M.D., with Todd Morse (of H2O), in which he goes by the name Dr. Dynamite. He plays bass guitar and other instruments on the songs including lead vocals on a few tracks on both albums. The first album, We Have an Emergency was released in Canada and Japan exclusively in 2007. Operation M.D. then released their second album Birds + Bee Stings worldwide in late 2010 on their own label Mouth To Mouth Music.
He has also acted in many Sum 41 short films. For example, in Basketball Butcher, he gets beaten up, killed and eaten by Steve Jocz due to beating him at basketball. He also played Dante the drug dealer in 1-800-Justice. He helped produce an album with Shelter With Thieves, a Canadian band from Halifax, Nova Scotia.[8][9] The EP, entitled Confessions of a Toxic Generation, was nominated for two Nova Scotia Music Awards, for Group Recording and Loud Recording.[10] The band won the Loud Recording award for the EP.[11]
In December 2009, McCaslin was also producing five songs for a new album by Canadian piano rock band The Greatest Invention (Formally – Credible Witness), which eventually got released under Walter Senko.[12]
Then, in 2010, he began producing three songs for the seven-piece bluegrass/folk/indie band The Strumbellas. In September 2011, he was asked to produce the rest of the album My Father and the Hunter. It was released on February 21, 2012 and received a Juno Award nomination for Best Root/Traditional Album.
In October 2013, McCaslin made a cameo playing bass in The Strumbellas music video for "End of an Era". In 2013 McCaslin began working with Toronto band Sun K. and produced their 7" (two songs) which was released and also produced their EP and LP over the following year. In 2014, McCaslin began producing two songs for the band LeBarons which were released in 2015. He started hosting his own radio show titled Cone's Cave on CKGE-FM. The first episode aired on February 12, 2022.
Instruments
[edit]McCaslin uses Fender '59 Re-Issue Precision Basses live and a Fender American Vintage '62 Re-Issue Precision Bass to record with. His personal favorite is an Olympic white Fender Precision Bass, since he was a fan of Dee Dee Ramone.
Personal life
[edit]He got married on September 5, 2008.[citation needed] During the wedding, McCaslin's fellow band members Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 and Todd Morse of H2O and The Operation M.D. performed "One" by U2 and "Pieces" by Sum 41.[citation needed]
McCaslin has two sisters.[citation needed] On December 22, 2014, his first son Max Grey McCaslin was born.[13]
On October 9, 2018, he and his wife Shannon had a daughter, Ayla Rose McCaslin.
Discography
[edit]
|
|
Producing/mixing discography
[edit]P = Producing, M = Mixing
- The Operation M.D. – We Have an Emergency (co-produced with Todd Morse) 2007 – Nominated for Casby 2 Awards (Best New Artist + Best Indie Release) (P)
- Shelter With Thieves – Someday Is Never Soon Enough (Co-Produced 6 songs with band) Released April 19, 2011 – ECMA Award for "Loud" Recording of the Year (P)
- The Operation M.D. – Birds + Bee Stings (co-produced with Todd Morse) 2010 (P)
- Operation M.D. + Itorero – "We Stand" Song from the charity album "Rwanda Rises Up" Released June 22, 2010 (P)
- The Strumbellas – My Father and the Hunter – Released February 21, 2012 – Juno Award Nomination for "Best Roots/Traditional Album" (P)
- Walter Senko – From A Liar – Released 2013 (P)
- Sun K – Sweet Marie 7" – Released 2014 (P)
- Operation MD – Shake Your Cage (Single) – Released January 13, 2015 (P,M)
- Sun K – Northern Lies – Released March 10, 2015 (P)
- Anna Toth – Feeling Lost, Feeling Seen – Released July 2, 2015 (P)
- LeBarons – Trains 7" – Released Sept. 11, 2015 (P,M)
- Operation MD – Like Everyone Else (Single) – Released September 25, 2015 (P,M)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Gormley, Ian (July 12, 2019). "Sum 41 Survive Teen Stardom, Substance Abuse and Changing Tastes to Rise Again on 'Out for Blood'". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Sum 41 official website @ IslandRecords.com – Home". June 24, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sum 41 Biography Bio Pictures Brown Bizzy D Sound Stevo 32 Cone Pic". Archived from the original on June 25, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "TheresNoSolution.com : Sum 41". Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2008.
- ^ "Artists Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2008.
- ^ Edwards, Gavin (December 17, 2001). "People of the Year 2001: Sum 41". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
- ^ "Sum 41 Past Tour Dates". Island Records. Archived from the original on February 9, 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2008.
- ^ "Facebook Shelter with Thieves's Photos – Studio 2009". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
Recording with Jason McCaslin ( Sum 41, Operation MD)
- ^ "MySpace.com Blogs – Shelter with Thieves MySpace Blog". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
As you may or may not know it was produced with Jason McCaslin from Sum 41 and Operation MD.
- ^ "SWT – Music Nova Scotia Awards Nominations van Jason McCaslin op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. September 10, 2009. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "SWT Win Best Loud Recording! Then again their full length album "Someday Is Never Soon Enough" including the 6 songs from "Confessions of a Toxic Generation" got nominated for Best Loud Recording at the 2012 East Coast Music Awards. van Jason McCaslin op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "Us working with Jason McCaslin from Sum 41 van Credible Witness [6 NEW SONGS UP] op Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. December 22, 2009. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ McCaslin, Jason [@Cone41] (December 27, 2014). "This is the greatest message I'll ever write. I'm a dad! Introducing my little boy Max Grey McCaslin born Dec. 22/14" (Tweet). Retrieved September 7, 2017 – via Twitter.
External links
[edit]- official personal web site
- Sum 41 official website
- The Operation M.D. official website
- Fender Artist Cone's Fender Artist Profile
Jason McCaslin
View on GrokipediaEarly Life
Family Background
Jason McCaslin was born Jason Paul McCaslin on September 3, 1980, in North York, Ontario, Canada.[1] He later lived in Ajax, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, where he attended Exeter High School.[1] McCaslin is the son of Sharon McCaslin and Paul McCaslin, with his father affectionately nicknamed "Porno Paul" due to his humorous and lighthearted personality.[1] He has two older sisters, Katie and Allison.[1] McCaslin is of Irish and Swedish descent.[4] Before his involvement in music, McCaslin worked as an usher at a local movie theater.[5]Musical Beginnings
Jason McCaslin began playing the bass guitar at the age of 13 or 14, during the summer following his elementary school graduation in 1994.[6] He was drawn to the instrument after friends forming a band needed a bassist, though he initially had little knowledge of what a bass guitar entailed.[6] His first bass was a basic black model resembling the one used by Nirvana's Krist Novoselic, purchased as the cheapest option from a local music store in Ajax, Ontario.[6] Entirely self-taught without formal education, McCaslin started by learning Nirvana songs before progressing to writing original material in a similar grunge style.[6] His early influences included classic rock from his parents—such as Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, and the Guess Who—alongside punk and metal introduced by friends, notably Metallica's …And Justice for All.[6] Before entering professional music, McCaslin gained initial experience in the garage band Second Opinion with high school friends, where they experimented with learning instruments and composing songs amid the vibrant local rock and punk scenes in the Toronto area.[6] His parents supported his musical pursuits by providing exposure to diverse records from their collection.[6]Professional Career
With Sum 41
Jason McCaslin joined Sum 41 in 1998 as the band's bassist and backing vocalist, replacing original member Mark Spicoluk.[2][1] Throughout his tenure with Sum 41, McCaslin's role evolved to include prominent bass lines on key albums such as All Killer No Filler (2001), Chuck (2004), and Underclass Hero (2007), while also providing backing vocals on hit tracks like "Fat Lip" and "In Too Deep."[2] Under McCaslin's involvement, Sum 41 rose to international fame, selling over 15 million albums worldwide and navigating significant lineup changes, including guitarist Dave Baksh's departure in 2006 and return in 2015.[2][7] The band earned multiple Juno Awards, including Group of the Year in 2003 and Rock Album of the Year for Chuck in 2005, and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2025.[8][9] Sum 41 released their eighth and final studio album, Heaven :x: Hell, on March 29, 2024, marking the culmination of McCaslin's contributions to the group's discography.[10] This was followed by a farewell world tour spanning 2024 and 2025, with the tour concluding on January 30, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, though the band's final live performance occurred on March 30, 2025, at the Juno Awards in Vancouver.[11][12][13]Side Projects and Collaborations
In addition to his primary role with Sum 41, Jason McCaslin co-founded the garage rock band The Operation M.D. with musician Todd Morse of H2O in 2007.[2] McCaslin performed under the stage name Dr. Dynamite, contributing on bass, guitar, keyboards, and vocals, while also handling production, recording, and songwriting duties.[14] The band's debut album, We Have an Emergency, was released in February 2007 via Aquarius Records, blending energetic garage punk influences with pop sensibilities; it earned two Casby Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Indie Release.[2] Their follow-up, Birds + Bee Stings, arrived in June 2010 on the independent label Mouth to Mouth Music, and the group later issued iTunes singles including "Like Everyone Else" in 2015.[14] These projects allowed McCaslin to explore raw, high-energy rock during periods when Sum 41 was on hiatus in the late 2000s and early 2010s.[15] McCaslin has made occasional guest appearances in other artists' work, showcasing his versatility across the punk and rock scenes. In October 2013, he appeared in a cameo role playing bass in The Strumbellas' music video for "End of an Era."[16] More recently, McCaslin expanded into media hosting with the launch of his podcast Cone's Cave on idobi Radio in February 2024.[17] Airing new episodes on Mondays at 7 p.m. ET, the show features interviews with musicians and industry figures, focusing on music stories and career insights amid Sum 41's final touring years.[18] By mid-2024, it had entered its third season, with guests including Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's; the podcast has continued with multiple additional seasons, reaching season 9 by October 2025 and remaining active as of November 2025.[19][18] This venture highlights McCaslin's ongoing engagement with the rock community beyond live performance.[20]Producing and Mixing
McCaslin began his production career in 2007 by co-producing the debut album We Have an Emergency by his side project The Operation M.D. alongside Todd Morse, which earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Indie Release at the CASBY Awards.[2] The album's raw punk-rock energy reflected McCaslin's hands-on approach, developed through years of self-recording during Sum 41 sessions.[21] In 2011, he produced six tracks for the Halifax hard rock band Shelter With Thieves' album Someday Is Never Soon Enough, contributing to its win for Loud Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards.[2] This project highlighted his ability to capture aggressive rock dynamics in a studio setting. McCaslin followed this in 2012 by producing the debut album My Father and the Hunter for Toronto folk-rock band The Strumbellas, which received a Juno Award nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year in 2013.[2][22] McCaslin's production work continued with Toronto rock band Sun K, where he helmed their 2015 album Northern Lies and the 2018 release Bleeding Hearts, emphasizing melodic indie rock elements.[23] He also mixed and engineered several tracks on LeBarons' 2018 alt-country album Summer of Death, including "Quiet," "Summer of Death," "Power Lines," and "Born in '76," blending organic instrumentation with polished production.[24] His credits predominantly span punk, rock, and indie genres, often with emerging Canadian artists, showcasing a focus on authentic, genre-rooted sounds honed in his personal studio setup.[2] Following Sum 41's increased activity in the early 2020s, McCaslin's external production output has been more limited, though he has continued mixing for select Canadian acts through 2024.[2]Equipment and Style
Instruments and Gear
Throughout his career with Sum 41, Jason McCaslin has primarily relied on Fender Precision Basses as his signature instruments, with the 1959 reissue model serving as his mainstay for live performances and recordings since the band's early days.[25][26] He has also incorporated a 1998 Fender Jazz Bass for added tonal variety in studio settings, allowing for a brighter, more articulate sound that complements the band's punk and pop-punk style.[26] These choices reflect a straightforward, no-frills approach suited to the high-energy demands of punk rock, where durability and classic tone are prioritized over complexity. McCaslin's amplifier setup centers on Ampeg equipment to achieve his signature live tone, featuring the Ampeg SVT-1000 head paired with an Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 cabinet for powerful projection and punchy low-end response.[27][25] This combination has been a constant in his rig since joining Sum 41, evolving slightly with anniversary models for enhanced reliability during tours.[25] The setup's emphasis on raw amp-driven sound underscores his punk rock ethos, delivering the aggressive, room-filling bass essential to the band's sound across albums like All Killer No Filler and beyond. In his side project The Operation M.D., McCaslin expands beyond bass to include keyboards, piano, guitar, and acoustic guitar contributions, though he does not use lead guitar as a primary instrument.[28] These additional roles highlight his versatility in garage punk arrangements without shifting focus from his core bass work. For accessories, McCaslin maintains a minimalistic approach, avoiding effects pedals in favor of the natural tone from his basses and Ampeg amplification.[27] He employs custom Evil Twin tube DI boxes for live direct signals and a SansAmp in the studio to capture clean, uncolored output.[25] This setup prioritizes clarity and speed for punk rhythms, ensuring his bass lines cut through dense mixes with precision.Playing Approach
McCaslin's bass playing is characterized by an aggressive style that fuses punk rock energy with metal elements, providing a driving force behind Sum 41's sound. His lines often emphasize rhythm and groove, supporting the band's high-tempo compositions and contributing to their transition from pop-punk roots to heavier, more intense arrangements in later works. This approach helps maintain the band's cohesive dynamic, particularly in live settings where his steady foundation allows for the guitar-heavy riffs and vocals to shine.[6] Influenced by grunge pioneers like Nirvana, McCaslin began playing bass at age 13 after being drawn to Krist Novoselic's style on a black bass similar to the one used in Nirvana's early recordings. He also cites Metallica as a major impact, particularly their 1988 album ...And Justice for All, which introduced him to metal at age 11 and shaped his appreciation for complex, aggressive bass work within rock ensembles. These influences enable McCaslin to adapt punk's raw simplicity with metal's technical edge, aligning with Sum 41's genre-blending aesthetic that incorporates both punk and metal from the band's inception.[6][29][30] In addition to his instrumental role, McCaslin serves as Sum 41's primary backing vocalist, frequently harmonizing with frontman Deryck Whibley to add depth and intensity to the band's performances. This vocal integration enhances the live energy, creating a fuller sonic experience that complements his bass grooves and reinforces the group's punk-metal fusion. Over time, his contributions have evolved from the straightforward punk bass tones on early releases like All Killer No Filler (2001) to more layered and aggressive elements in albums such as 13 Voices (2016) and Order in Decline (2019), reflecting the band's maturation while preserving their core intensity.[6]Personal Life
Marriage and Family
Jason McCaslin married Shannon Boehlke on September 5, 2008.[31] The wedding ceremony featured performances by his Sum 41 bandmate Deryck Whibley and musician Todd Morse, who covered a song together.[32] McCaslin and Boehlke have two children: a son, Max Grey McCaslin, born on December 22, 2014, and a daughter, Ayla Rose McCaslin, born on October 9, 2018.[33] The couple remains married as of 2025, with no reports of separation or divorce.[33] The family resides in the Toronto area, where McCaslin has prioritized balancing his music career with fatherhood.[34] This included navigating parenting alongside Sum 41's demanding farewell tour in the band's final years, a period marked by the stabilizing influence of children on the members' lives.[35]Other Interests
In addition to his musical endeavors, Jason McCaslin hosts the radio program "Cone's Cave" on idobi Radio, where he interviews fellow musicians and discusses industry experiences drawn from his career. The show premiered on February 12, 2024, with episodes airing Mondays at 7 p.m. ET, and it entered its third season in June 2024, remaining active through 2025 amid Sum 41's farewell activities.[17][19] Before entering the music industry, McCaslin worked as an usher at a movie theater in Toronto, an early job that exposed him to the world of film and contributed to his personal appreciation for cinema. He has cited classic films such as American History X and Commando among his favorites in past profiles, reflecting a longstanding interest in the medium.[36] McCaslin maintains a low-key lifestyle in Toronto, prioritizing rest and personal time after extensive touring. As of 2025, following Sum 41's final performances in late January, he has expressed readiness for new chapters, continuing as a musician while exploring pursuits unbound by band obligations.[37][34][38]Discography
Sum 41 Contributions
Jason McCaslin served as the bassist and backing vocalist for Sum 41 across all their releases starting with the band's debut EP, providing foundational rhythmic support and vocal harmonies that defined the group's pop-punk sound.[28] His contributions appear on eight studio albums: Half Hour of Power (2000, EP), where he played bass; All Killer No Filler (2001), featuring bass and backing vocals; Does This Look Infected? (2002), with bass and backing vocals; Chuck (2004), bass and backing vocals; Underclass Hero (2007), bass and backing vocals; Screaming Bloody Murder (2011), bass and backing vocals; 13 Voices (2016), bass and backing vocals; Order in Decline (2019), bass and backing vocals; and Heaven :x: Hell (2024), the band's final studio album with bass and backing vocals prior to their disbandment in 2025.[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Notable singles featuring McCaslin's bass lines include "Fat Lip" and "In Too Deep" from All Killer No Filler, both of which contributed to the album's RIAA Platinum certification for one million units sold in the United States, and "Landmines" from Heaven :x: Hell.[47][48][49] McCaslin also performed on the live album Go Chuck Yourself (2005), recorded during a concert in London, Ontario, where he delivered bass and backing vocals on tracks spanning the band's early catalog.[50] He appears in compilations such as All the Good Sh*: 14 Solid Gold Hits 2000–2008* (2009), which includes his contributions to key tracks from prior releases.[51] Collectively, Sum 41's releases with McCaslin's involvement have sold over 15 million records worldwide.[52]The Operation M.D. Releases
Jason McCaslin, performing under the pseudonym Dr. Dynamite, co-founded The Operation M.D. in 2006 alongside Todd Morse (as Dr. Rocco), a guitarist from the band H2O, creating a garage rock duo that incorporated punk elements with pop hooks and thematic nods to medical emergencies and everyday absurdities. The project's sound emphasized raw, energetic riffs and humorous lyrics, distinguishing it as a high-spirited outlet for McCaslin's multi-instrumental talents.[2][53] The band's debut album, We Have an Emergency, arrived in February 2007 via Aquarius Records, marking McCaslin's first major release outside his primary commitments. He co-produced the record with Morse and handled bass, keyboards, guitar, and vocals—delivering lead vocals on tracks like "Someone Like You," "Dirt," and "Obvious"—while contributing to the album's 11-song runtime of urgent, riff-driven garage punk anthems. The lead single "Sayonara" gained traction on Canadian radio, and the album secured two nominations at the 2007 CASBY Awards, recognizing its indie rock impact.[2][54][28] The duo followed with Birds + Bee Stings in 2010, a self-released effort on Mouth To Mouth Records that refined their garage punk aesthetic with slightly more polished production and themes of relationships and mischief across 11 tracks. McCaslin took on production duties and played multiple instruments, including bass and keys, while providing vocals to maintain the band's playful, high-energy vibe. No further full-length albums have emerged since, though sporadic singles like "Like Everyone Else" (2015), "Shake Your Cage" (2015), "Little Miss Takes" (2017), and "No Walk Zone" (2019) have kept the project intermittently active amid members' broader schedules.[2][55][56]Production Credits
McCaslin has established himself as a producer and mixer primarily within the Canadian rock and alternative scenes, collaborating with emerging bands during the 2000s and 2010s. His work emphasizes a raw, energetic sound suited to indie rock, folk-infused projects, and punk-leaning acts, often involving hands-on engineering and additional instrumentation. Post-2020, his external credits have been limited, reflecting a focus on his primary band commitments.[2] Key production credits include the 2012 debut album My Father and the Hunter by The Strumbellas, where McCaslin handled full production duties, contributing to its Juno Award nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. He also produced Toronto rock band Sun K's 2015 LP Northern Lies and their 2018 single "Bleeding Hearts," providing engineering and percussion on the latter. For Halifax hard rock outfit Shelter With Thieves, McCaslin produced six tracks on their 2011 album Someday Is Never Soon Enough, including the EP Confessions of a Toxic Generation. In 2018, he served as producer, mixer, and engineer on select tracks from LeBarons' album Summer of Death, such as "Quiet," "Summer of Death," "Power Lines," and "Born In '76," while adding bass on "Quiet" and piano on multiple songs. His most recent notable external work came in 2020 with Norwegian rock artist Hank Von Hell, co-producing the track "Every Crappy Day" on the album Dead and co-writing the single "Radio Shadow."[57][58][28][59][24][60]| Artist | Release | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Strumbellas | My Father and the Hunter | 2012 | Producer |
| Shelter With Thieves | Someday Is Never Soon Enough (select tracks) | 2011 | Producer |
| Sun K | Northern Lies | 2015 | Producer |
| LeBarons | Summer of Death (tracks: "Quiet," "Summer of Death," "Power Lines," "Born In '76") | 2018 | Producer, Mixer, Engineer; Bass ("Quiet"); Piano (multiple tracks) |
| Sun K | "Bleeding Hearts" (single) | 2018 | Producer, Engineer, Percussion |
| Hank Von Hell | Dead ("Every Crappy Day") | 2020 | Co-Producer |
| Hank Von Hell | "Radio Shadow" (single) | 2020 | Co-Writer |
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