Simple Plan | |
Background Information | |
Origin | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Genre | Pop Punk |
Years active | 1999-present |
Label(s) | Lava Atlantic |
Associated Acts | Man of the Hour |
Website | http://www.simpleplan.com |
Members | |
Pierre Bouvier Jeff Stinco Sébastien Lefebvre Chuck Comeau David Desrosiers |
Simple Plan is a Canadian pop punk band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no line up changes since its inception in 1999. Members are Pierre Bouvier (lead vocals), Jeff Stinco (lead guitar), Sébastien Lefebvre (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), David Desrosiers (bass, backing vocals) and Chuck Comeau (drums and percussion). They have released three studio albums: No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002), Still Not Getting Any... (2004), and Simple Plan (2008); as well as two widely marketed live albums: Live in Japan 2002 (2003) and MTV Hard Rock Live (2005).
History[]
Formation (1999-2002)[]
Simple Plan began in 1996 with the formation of a band named Reset by friends Pierre Bouvier, Charles-André "Chuck" Comeau, Philippe Jolicoeur, and Adrian White.[1] Reset toured around Canada with bands such as MxPx, Ten Foot Pole, and Face to Face, but only managed to gain modest popularity.[2] The debut album, No Worries, was released in 1998, and Comeau left soon after to go to college.[1] Two years later he met with high school friends Jean-François "Jeff" Stinco and Sébastien Lefebvre who were in separate bands of their own, and combined to create the band.[1] Meanwhile, Reset released a second CD, No Limits (the two CDs would be re-released as a single CD in 2006, with liner note comments from Bouvier and Comeau). In late 1999, Comeau and Bouvier reacquainted at a Sugar Ray concert[2] and Bouvier left Reset soon after to join Comeau. David Desrosiers replaced Bouvier in Reset, but when asked to join the foursome, he too left the band six months later.[1][2] This allowed Bouvier, who had doubled as the band's front man and bassist, to concentrate on the singing.
The origin of the band's name is obscure. Band members have given various comical responses on this point, including that the band was their simple plan to avoid getting a "real" job. However, most likely, the name is derived from the movie "A Simple Plan"[3][4] or the Piebald song "Just a Simple Plan".
No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002-2004)[]
- Main article: No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls
In 2002, Simple Plan released their first studio album, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls which led to the subsequent singles: "I'm Just a Kid", "I'd Do Anything", "Addicted", and "Perfect". Simple Plan is noted as saying that they were aiming at a pure pop-punk record.[5] The name of the CD echoes the popular tag line for the sport of rugby, "No pads, no helmets, no pussies."
The record was originally released in the United States with twelve tracks, ending with "Perfect". Enhanced and foreign editions came in several different versions with up to two additional tracks in addition to the original twelve. For example, the U.S. release contained the extra songs "Grow Up", and "My Christmas List", while the UK release contained the extra songs "One By One" and "American Jesus" (a live version of a cover of a Bad Religion song), as well as the two music videos, "I'd Do Anything" and "I'm Just a Kid".
The record also contained vocals from singers from two other pop-punk bands as "I'd Do Anything" included vocals by Mark Hoppus from blink-182, and "You Don't Mean Anything" included vocals by Joel Madden from Good Charlotte.
In 2002, the year Simple Plan released the album, Simple Plan played more than 300 shows, topped the Alternative New Artist Chart, and played a sold out tour in Japan.[6] In 2003, the band played as a headliner on the Vans Warped Tour -- an appearance memorialized in the comedy slasher film, Punk Rock Holocaust, in which four of the five band members are killed. They would also play short stints on the Warped Tour in 2004 and 2005. Also in 2003, they opened for Avril Lavigne on her "Try To Shut Me Up" Tour.[6] In addition to several headlining tours, they have also opened for Green Day and Good Charlotte.[6]
Still Not Getting Any... (2004-2006)[]
- Main article: Still Not Getting Any...
In 2004, Simple Plan released their second album, Still Not Getting Any... which led to the subsequent singles, "Welcome to My Life", "Shut Up!", "Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?)", "Crazy", and (in some markets) "Perfect World".
As mentioned before, when writing "No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls", the members of Simple Plan were aiming at a pure pop-punk record. This time however, when writing "Still Not Getting Any...", the members of Simple Plan were noted as saying that they were not limiting themselves to the punk genre, but rather letting themselves write "good music".[5]
According to the bonus DVD of Still Not Getting Any..., while making the CD the members of Simple Plan thought of many names including "Get Rich or Die Trying" and "Danger Zone". They decided on the name Still Not Getting Any... for a list of explained reasons. The most popular and most likely reason is because the members of Simple Plan thought that they weren't getting any good reviews, Bouvier once noting that they only had one recent good review in Alternative Press. Another reason may be because they were still not getting any respect. There are many more variations the band members have given, as anything can really be put after the ellipsis, including "better", "smarter", "funnier", and the obvious sexual connotation. Comeau once described the name of the album as "versatile".
"Still Not Getting Any..." showed a dramatic change in Simple Plan's style as well. They still kept their style of downbeat lyrics matched to upbeat music, but managed to transcend from the standard pop-punk genre. Although many of the tracks on this CD still carry the feeling of teen angst that is probably most noticeable in the song "I'm Just a Kid" from the first album No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls, the general slant of this album tends toward slightly deeper and more mature lyrical themes, as well as a more mainstream sound that edges away from the pure pop-punk style of their last album. Some critics have pointed towards the inclusion of 'classic' or 'mainstream' rock elements, claiming the album 'de-emphasizes punk-pop hyperactivity in favor of straightforward, well-crafted modern rock'.[7]
Simple Plan (2006-present)[]
- Main article: Simple Plan (album)
After nearly a year and a half in support of "Still Not Getting Any...", the band ended most touring in February 2006, giving only a few shows, taking some time off, and beginning work on their third CD. As announced in Bouvier's official MySpace blog, Bouvier headed to Miami as on about March 21, 2007 to work with an unnamed producer, who later proved to be Dave Fortman. The band entered the studio for pre-production in Los Angeles on June 29. On July 15 they returned to Montreal, to record at Studio Piccolo, the same studio at which they had recorded "Still Not Getting Any...." They finished recording and headed back to Miami and LA to mix the album. The final part of making their record was done in New York and it was officially completed on October 21, though they later re-entered the studio to re-record some of the lyrics to the song "Generation."
"When I'm Gone", the first single to Simple Plan was released on October 29 as part of a fan webcast the band held. Simple Plan was produced by Dave Fortman (Evanescence, Mudvayne), Danjahandz (Timbaland, Justin Timberlake) and Max Martin (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne). On February 17, 2008, Simple Plan achieved their highest charting single in the UK. After the first two albums just missed the UK top 40, "When I'm Gone" gave the band their best chart position in the UK, coming in at number 26. On November 29, 2007, the band announced that the CD release would be postponed from the originally-scheduled January 29, 2008 date to what proved to be the actual release date of February 12, 2008. The Japan version, with two bonus tracks, was released on February 6, 2008.[8]
After completing an around-the-world promotional tour, Simple Plan played several December 2007 holiday shows. After continued promotional tours in January, Simple Plan played a triple bill in Camden Town, London on 27 January 2008, with the first show featuring songs from the band's first CD, the second from the second, and the third from the new release. The band played four U.S. shows in late February, and completed a European tour running until late April. The band played four Japan dates, followed by several European festivals and headlining dates. On 1 July 2008, the band gave a free concert on Quebec City's Plains of Abraham, attracting a crowd of 150,000 to the Canada Day show.[9] After a return to the Far East in late July and early August, the band played a Cross Canada Tour[10] with Faber Drive, Cute is What We Aim For[11] and Metro Station (The All-American Rejects were originally announced for the tour, but canceled due to other commitments). After dates in Germany, Mexico, and Australia, the band played its second full European tour of the year from 28 October to 29 November, playing Estonia and Poland for the first time. The band also played Tel Aviv and Dubai in early December—shows at which the band played as a four-piece, with Desrosiers absent due to a family emergency and Lefebvre on bass. The band played an eight-show South American tour in March, and are playing various festivals and individual shows in cities ranging from Calgary to Moscow.
Fourth studio album (2009-present)[]
Confirmed Tracks
- “This Song Saved My Life"[12]
- "You Suck At Love" [13][14]
- "Astronaut"[15]
- "I Can’t Keep My Hands Off Of You" [16]
Currently, the band is concentrating on recording its fourth studio album. It's been revealed that Brian Howes is producing.[17] [18] It was also announced that the band is now being managed by the firm Dynasty Projects.
During the writing process of the album, the band collaborated with various songwriters such as Claude Kelly, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo,[19] Matt Squire, Jim Irvin, Julian Emery, Michael Warren[20] and David Hodges.[21]
On June 18, 2010, the band played, for the first time, the new song "You Suck at Love" at the Bamboozle Roadshow 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. The song is set to be included on their forthcoming album.
The group performed "Your Love Is a Lie", "Addicted", and "Welcome to My Life" at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony.
On September 20, 2010, Perez Hilton leaked one song onto the internet titled 'Famous For Nothing' but according to a tweet from Jeff Stinco this song is a demo and won't be on the album.[22]
On November 18, 2010, the band has confirmed that recording for their fourth studio album has been completed and that they have officially left the studio. The album now needs to be mixed and mastered and work made on the cover art.[23]
On December 28, 2010 another leaked demo made its way to the Internet titled 'Just Around The Corner' but according to a tweet from Jeff Stinco, this track will also not be on their new album either.[24]
Style[]
Simple Plan's style of music has been described as pop punk by the Calgary Herald[25], The Torontoist,[26] Channel News Asia,[27] Allmusic,[28] NME,[29] MTV,[30] The Guardian,[31] the BBC,[32] Rocklouder[33] About.com,[34] Entertainment Weekly[35] and VH1;[36] punk rock revivalist by New York Times,[37] "Dude Rock" by Digital Spy[38]; with Rolling Stone reviews describing No Helmets No Pads... Just Balls as punk[39] and their self titled album as 'arena-emo';[40] also described as having "classic punk energy and modern pop sonics" in a Marketwire press release.[41] In an MTV interview, frontman Pierre Bouvier stated that he considered them more pop music than rock.[42]
Band members[]
- Pierre Bouvier - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jeff Stinco - lead guitar
- Sébastien Lefebvre - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- David Desrosiers - bass guitar, backing vocals
- Chuck Comeau - drums, percussion
Discography[]
Main article: Simple Plan discography
- No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002)
- Still Not Getting Any... (2004)
- Simple Plan (2008)
- TBA (2011)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Reset Biography
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Simple Plan Biography
- ↑ Rock Louder Interview with Simple Plan
- ↑ Simple Plan — 2008 — II
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Archived Simple Plan Bio
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Delafont Bio
- ↑ All Music Guide Review of Still Not Getting Any...
- ↑ HMV Product Description of Simple Plan
- ↑ Simple Plan relève le défi
- ↑ Simple Plan tour
- ↑ Support Acts Added to Simple Plan's August 28 Performance at Scotiabank Place
- ↑ http://www.simpleplan.com/2010/08/25/this-vlog-saved-my-life/
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVMXszgqbh4
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfZ24JD5Fq8&feature=channel
- ↑ http://twitter.com/simpleplan/status/18552913767
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xb7pWWwFV0
- ↑ http://propertyofzack.com/post/754449563/propertyofzack-interview-simple-plan
- ↑ http://www.simpleplan.com/2010/07/13/album-4-pre-production-begins/
- ↑ http://twitter.com/chuckcomeau/status/13747038036
- ↑ http://twitter.com/michaelawarren/status/14200533497
- ↑ http://twitter.com/hodgesmusic/status/14263823362
- ↑ http://twitter.com/jeffstinco/status/25048606470
- ↑ http://www.simpleplan.com/2010/11/18/the-record-is-95-finished/
- ↑ http://twitter.com/jeffstinco/status/19592426280718336
- ↑ Two faces of punk
- ↑ Torontoist: Urban Planner: August 29, 2008
- ↑ Channelnewsasia.com
- ↑ AllMusic Bio
- ↑ Simple Plan attack KISS for Download backstage ban
- ↑ Simple Plan MTV Bio
- ↑ Simple Plan Astoria, London
- ↑ Talking Shop: Simple Plan
- ↑ Rocklouder - When i'm gone review
- ↑ About.com review of Simple Plan
- ↑ Simple Plan review ew.com
- ↑ Simple Plan VH1 Bio
- ↑ ROCK REVIEW; Punk Is Back, Adapted To More Congenial Ways
- ↑ Simple Plan: 'When I'm Gone' - digital spy review
- ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/simpleplan/albums/album/153426/review/5944233/no_helmets_no_pads_just_balls
- ↑ Simple Plan Review
- ↑ Simple Plan Is a Global Sensation; New Album From Montreal's Top Pop Combo Explodes Onto the Charts Worldwide
- ↑ Britney Spears Producer Leads Simple Plan Farther Down Pop Path With Third LP
External links[]
- Official Simple Plan website
- SP Crew, the official Fan Club for Simple Plan
- Role Model Clothing website
- Simple Plan french website
- Simple Plan at Last.fm
- Simple Plan at MySpace
This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Simple Plan. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Less Than Jake Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License. |