Simple Plan

Simple Plan

Simple Plan performing at Rock'n'Heim on 23 August 2015
Background information
Origin Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Years active 1999–present
Labels
Associated acts Reset
Website simpleplan.com
Members

Simple Plan is a Canadian rock band from Montreal, Quebec. The band has released five studio albums: No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002), Still Not Getting Any... (2004), Simple Plan (2008), Get Your Heart On! (2011), and Taking One for the Team (2016).[1] The band has also released an EP titled Get Your Heart On - The Second Coming! (2013), in addition to two live albums: Live in Japan 2002 (2003) and MTV Hard Rock Live (2005).

The band performed at the Vans Warped Tour every year from 1999 to 2005, and in 2011, 2013, and 2015.[2][3][4] The band also performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony,[5] along with The X Factor Australia.[6] In December 2012, the band performed at Mood Indigo, the college festival of IIT Bombay in Mumbai, India.[7][8] In 2004, the band participated in the movie New York Minute, starring the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley. Simple Plan also performed at the 2016 NHL Winter Classic.

History

1999–2001: Formation and early years

Pierre Bouvier takes to the air in Shawinigan-Sud, Quebec, 20 June 2009.

In 1993, Lead vocalist Pierre Bouvier and drummer Chuck Comeau were in a band named Reset. In 1998, Comeau left soon after to go to college.[9] In mid 1999, he met with high school friends guitarists Jeff Stinco and Sébastien Lefebvre who were in separate bands of their own, and combined to create Simple Plan.[9] In late 1999, Bouvier and Comeau reacquainted at a Sugar Ray concert[10] and Bouvier left Reset soon after to join Comeau. Bassist and backing vocalist David Desrosiers replaced Bouvier in Reset, but he too left the band six months later to join Simple Plan.[9][10] This allowed Bouvier, who had doubled as the band's lead vocalist and bassist, to concentrate on the singing and Stinco, who had doubled as the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist, to concentrate on the guitar.

The origin of the band's name is obscure. Band members have given various responses, including that the band was their "simple plan to avoid working at McDonald's", or other fast food restaurant chains. However, the name may be derived from the 1998 film and novel of the same name.[11]

2002–03: No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls

In 2002, Simple Plan released the debut studio album, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls, which contained the singles I'm Just a Kid, I'd Do Anything, Addicted, and Perfect. The band was aiming at a pure pop punk record.[12]

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. Two pop punk singers contributed on vocals: "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 band performed and recorded the theme song for a rebooted installment of the Scooby-Doo franchise, What's New, Scooby-Doo?. This show used the band's intro throughout its entire run until its conclusion in 2006. It also featured many of the band's songs within episodes of the show, including "I'd Do Anything".

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. The band also played short stints on the Warped Tour in 2004 and 2005. That same year (2003) the band opened for Avril Lavigne on her "Try To Shut Me Up" Tour.[13] In addition to several headlining tours, the band has also opened for Green Day and Good Charlotte.[13] The album had sold one million copies in early 2003 then went on to sell over four million copies worldwide, making it the band's best selling album to date.

2004–06: Still Not Getting Any...

In 2004, Simple Plan released its second album, Still Not Getting Any... which was produced by Bob Rock and 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.

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, Enema of the State, and In The Zone. The group decided on the name Still Not Getting Any... for a list of explained reasons. The most popular and most likely reason is that the members of Simple Plan thought that they were not getting any good reviews, Bouvier once noting that the band only had one recent good review in Alternative Press. Still Not Getting Any... was a musical departure from the group's previous album. The band still kept its 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 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 the group's 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".[14]

In 2005, their cover version of Cheap Trick's "Surrender" was featured in the superhero film, Fantastic Four.

2006–09: Simple Plan

The band in concert in Trenton, NJ, December 2007
Simple Plan in Osaka in 2009. From left to right: Chuck Comeau, Jeff Stinco, Pierre Bouvier, Sébastien Lefebvre and David Desrosiers

After nearly a year and a half in support of Still Not Getting Any..., the band ended most touring in February 2006, playing only a few shows, taking some time off, and beginning work on the third studio album. Bouvier headed to Miami as on about 21 March 2007 to work with Dave Fortman. The band entered the studio for pre-production in Los Angeles on 29 June. On 15 July the band returned to Montréal, to record at Studio Piccolo, the same studio at which the band had recorded Still Not Getting Any.... The band finished recording and headed back to Miami and LA to mix the album. The final part of making the record was done in New York and it was officially completed on 21 October.

When I'm Gone, the first single from Simple Plan, was released on 29 October. The album was produced by Dave Fortman and Max Martin. On 17 February 2008, the band achieved its highest charting single in the UK. After the first two albums just missed the UK top 40, "When I'm Gone" gave the band its best chart position in the UK, coming in at number 26.

Simple Plan held an extensive tour schedule in support of the album. 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 Québec City's Plains of Abraham, attracting a crowd of 150,000 to the Canada Day show.[15] After a return to the Far East in late July and early August, the band played a Cross Canada Tour[16] with Faber Drive, Cute is What We Aim For[17] and Metro Station. 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.

2010–13: Get Your Heart On!

Simple Plan performing in Paris in 2011

The band's fourth album Get Your Heart On! was released on 21 June 2011. The album marks Simple Plan's second time since No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls to feature collaborations with other artists, including Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, Marie-Mai, Natasha Bedingfield, K'naan and Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low.[18] In April "Jet Lag" was released in English and French versions featuring singers Natasha Bedingfield and Marie-Mai respectively.[19] The band was on the roster of Warped Tour 2011 for selected dates in June and July 2011.[20]

In September and October 2011, Simple Plan performed four shows in Australia, on the "Get Your Heart On" tour, with supporting bands Tonight Alive and New Empire. During the Australian tour, Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive featured in Jet Lag. We The Kings supported Simple Plan in Europe on a tour in spring 2012. The song "Last One Standing" was featured on the NASCAR The Game: Inside Line soundtrack.[21]

An EP titled Get Your Heart On - The Second Coming! was released on 3 December.[22] Consequently, Simple Plan uploaded the DVD, directed by Peter John from Epik Films / Shot By Peter John to the official Simple Plan YouTube channel, in high quality for free as a gift to the fans.

2014–present: Taking One for the Team

In March 2014, the band members started recording the first demos for the album, it was announced through ex-My Chemical Romance rhythm guitarist Frank Iero's Instagram that Iero are working with Simple Plan on the next album. This information was later confirmed by Comeau; the band estimates to release the album on the second half of 2015, plus the band discussed the band’s future projects. On 30 July 2014, the band formally stated that music writing for the next album had begun.[23][24] In December 2014, Simple Plan started to choose which songs would be included on the album.[25] "Saturday", was released on 21 June 2015, although the band stated this song would not be in the album.[26][27][28][29]

In April 2015, Simple Plan performed with up-and-coming Canadian singer Andee at the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour at MUCH in Toronto.[30]

Simple Plan toured on the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, performing a total of five shows.[4][31][32][33]

Simple Plan playing live in 2017.

On 28 August 2015, the band released "Boom", a song from the upcoming fifth album.[34] On the same day, a music video was released for the song, which contains footage from the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, The Alternative Press Music Awards, and a performance in Montreal at New City Gas; the video contains cameos from members of the bands MxPx, All Time Low, New Found Glory, PVRIS, Pierce the Veil, The Summer Set, Silverstein, Black Veil Brides, Parkway Drive and Issues.[35][36]

On 18 September 2015, the band released a second song from the fifth studio album, "I Don't Wanna Be Sad," and a third called "I Don't Wanna Go to Bed," featuring rapper Nelly on 16 October 2015.[37]

On 17 October 2015, it was leaked by Pierre Bouvier there will be a song called "Kiss Me Like Nobody's Watching". On 30 November 2015, the band revealed the title of the album would be Taking One for the Team. The group set the release date for 19 February 2016, along with the album cover and the first tour dates of the "Taking One for the Team World Tour", with shows scheduled in European countries.

"Opinion Overload", the second single from Taking One for the Team was released on 5 February 2016. Simple Plan released their third single "Singing In The Rain" internationally on 12 April.[38] The album was released on 19 February 2016. The album was described as a "pure, no-frills, feel-good fun, a start-to-finish crowd-pleaser for fans of that classic pop-punk sound."[39] On 5 December, Simple Plan released "Christmas Everyday", 15 years after their last Christmas song and first single, "My Christmas List".[40] In 2017, the band embarked on a tour in support of the 15th anniversary of their debut album "No Pads, No Helmet... Just Balls", during which they play the entire album front to back during each show.[41]

Musical style

Simple Plan's style of music has been described as pop punk,[42][43][44][45] alternative rock,[45][46] pop rock,[47][48] punk rock,[49][50] and power pop.[51] Atlantic Records marketing material has described the band's style as having "classic punk energy and modern pop sonics".[52]

Simple Plan's music style has also been described as: "emo".[53][54][55]

Simple Plan Foundation

The members of Simple Plan created the Simple Plan Foundation, which focuses on teen problems ranging from suicide to poverty to drug addiction. As of 9 December 2005, the Simple Plan Foundation had raised more than $100,000.[56]

A fundraising event was held in September 2009 in Montréal. In October 2008, the band announced a special release, on iTunes, of the single "Save You", to benefit the Foundation, with a special composite video featuring cancer survivors. The song was inspired by the struggle with cancer of Bouvier's brother Jay.[57]

On 15 March 2011, the Foundation stated it would donate $10,000 in aid after the 2011 earthquake that hit Japan.[58]

In 2012, to mark the band's tenth anniversary, the book Simple Plan: The Official Story was released, which was used as a fundraiser for the Simple Plan Foundation.[59]

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Pierre Bouvier performing with Simple Plan in 2007
Radio Canada/La Presse Awards
Dahsyatnya Awards
CASBY Awards[60]
Juno Awards
Kerrang! Awards
MTV Asia Awards
MTV Europe Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
MuchMusic Video Awards
NRJ Music Awards
Teen Choice Awards

ADISQ [62]

References

  1. ↑ "Simple Plan announce new album Taking One for the Team". Alternative Press.
  2. ↑ Arnold-Garvey, James (9 July 2013). "Simple Plan Set For Vans Warped Tour Australia 2013 Lineup - Music News, Reviews, Interviews and Culture - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Yago, Gideon (14 January 2003). "Used, Simple Plan, Rancid, Distillers on Warped Tour '03". MTV. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Simple Plan - Vans Warped Tour". VansWarpedTour.com. Vans Warped Tour. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Québecor Média (10 March 2012). "Canadians tweet up a storm during closing ceremonies". Canoe.ca. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Watch: Australia's X-Factor Live Performance". Simple Plan. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  7. ↑ K.A. Dodhiya (12 October 2012). "A very Simple Plan for IIT's Mood Indigo". The Asian Age. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Rolling Stones India. "Simple plan attacks mood indigo". Rolling Stones India.
  9. 1 2 3 SimplePlan.cz. "Reset Biography". Simpleplan.cz. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Simple Plan Biography". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Rock Louder Interview with Simple Plan". Rocklouder.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  12. ↑ "Archived Simple Plan Bio". Web.archive.org. 29 October 2005. Archived from the original on 29 October 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  13. 1 2 "Delafont bio". Delafont.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  14. ↑ Loftus, Johnny. "Simple Plan : Still Not Getting Any...". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  15. ↑ "Simple Plan relève le défi". Le Soleil.
  16. ↑ "Simple Plan tour". Simpleplan.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  17. ↑ "Support Acts Added to Simple Plan's August 28 Performance at Scotiabank Place". Marketwire.com. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  18. ↑ "You Suck at Love – Blog Detail". simpleplan.com. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  19. ↑ Simple Plan's newest features collaborations with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, K'naan (Nick Patch, The Canadian Press / Brandon Sun) 21 June 2011
  20. ↑ "Simple Plan". Warped Tour. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "NASCAR The Game: Inside Line soundtrack - NFSSoundtrack". nfssoundtrack.com. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  22. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  23. ↑ Simple Plan (30 July 2014). "Simple Plan Summer Announcement! Frank Iero (previously of MCR) is working with US for our next album!!!". YouTube.com/SimplePlan. Simple Plan. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  24. ↑ Simple Plan (30 July 2014). "Simple Plan on Facebook - "We have something special to share with you! FRANK IERO of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE is working with us!"". Facebook.com/SimplePlan. Simple Plan. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  25. ↑ Stinco, Jeff (30 December 2014). "Jeff Stinco on Twitter - "You guys have been asking about album 5: we are in the process of picking the songs that we will record in a few weeks. #sp5album"". Twitter.com/JeffStinco. Jeff Stinco. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  26. ↑ Robinson, Will (22 June 2015). "Simple Plan return with new single, 'Saturday'". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  27. ↑ Biddulph, Andy (22 June 2015). "Simple Plan Have Posted Their First Song In Three Years". RockSound.tv. Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  28. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (22 June 2015). "Simple Plan return with explosive "Saturday" single". AltPress.com. Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Simple Plan on Twitter - "The first taste of #SPAlbum5 is here with #Saturday!"". Twitter.com. Simple Plan. 21 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  30. ↑ TSN.ca Staff (29 April 2015). "FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour stops in Toronto". tsn.ca. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  31. ↑ "Simple Plan announced for select Warped Tour dates - News - Alternative Press". Web.archive.org. 29 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  32. ↑ "Simple Plan Playing Select Warped Stops". Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  33. ↑ "Simple Plan Tour Upcoming Dates". SimplePlan.com. Simple Plan. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  34. ↑ Crane, Matt (28 August 2015). "Here's a Sneak Peek at Simple Plan's Awesome New Single, "Boom" (exclusive)". AltPress.com. Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  35. ↑ Carter, Emily (28 August 2015). "Simple Plan Unveil Star-Studded New Video, Boom". Kerrang.com. Kerrang. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  36. ↑ Simple Plan (27 August 2015). "Simple Plan on Instagram - Head to @altpress for an exclusive sneak peek of our video for Boom! dropping tonight at Midnight EST! #SPboom features cameos from @alltimelow @newfoundglory @thisispvris @mxpxpx @piercetheveil @the_summer_set @silverstein @blackveilbrides @parkwaydriveofficial & #ISSUES! Filmed at the #APMAs, in Montreal at New City Gas, and on @vanswarpedtour! Can't wait for you to see it!". Instagram.com. Simple Plan. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  37. ↑ Sayce, Rob (18 September 2015). "Simple Plan Do Not Want To Be Sad". Rocksound.tv. Rocksound. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  38. ↑ "Simple Plan - Singing In The Rain (Official Video)". YouTube. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  39. ↑ Neil Z. Yeung (19 February 2016). "Taking One for the Team - Simple Plan | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  40. ↑ "LISTEN: Simple Plan Gets Cheery For Christmas Time". iHeartRadio. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  41. ↑ Simple plan 15th anniversary
  42. ↑ "Two faces of punk". Calgary Herald. Canada.com. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  43. ↑ Hatch, Robin (29 August 2008). "Urban Planner: 29 August 2008". Torontoist.com. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  44. ↑ "Get in on the Simple Plan". MediaCorp Channel NewsAsia. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  45. 1 2 Wilson, MacKenzie. "Simple Plan/Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  46. ↑ "Saisonabschluss in Wiesen mit "Two Days A Week" > Kleine Zeitung". Kleinezeitung.at. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  47. ↑ Bliss, Karen (27 February 2012). "Simple Plan to Receive Humanitarian Honor at 2012 Juno Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  48. ↑ "Simple Plan: Simple Plan vying for 7th MMVA". Jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  49. ↑ Jon Pareles (8 November 2004). "New CD's. Still Not Getting Any....". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  50. ↑ Whitburn 2004.
  51. ↑ "Simple Plan On MTV's Hard Rock Live". Epiphone. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  52. ↑ Atlantic Records (26 February 2008). "Simple Plan Is a Global Sensation; New Album From Montreal's Top Pop Combo Explodes Onto the Charts Worldwide". Reuters/Market Wire. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  53. ↑ "Simple Plan". Allmusic.
  54. ↑ Alexa Tietjen (27 May 2015). "26 Emo Bands That Got Us Through Our Teenage Years". VH1.
  55. ↑ Abby Schreiber (25 April 2014). "What Your Favorite Emo Bands Look Like In 2014". PAPER.
  56. ↑ "Simple plan foundation". Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  57. ↑ "Simple Plan Reveals Worldwide Charity Single; "Save You" to Benefit International Cancer Charities; Star-Studded Companion Video Now in Production; "Save You" Goes on Sale via...". Marketwatch.com. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  58. ↑ "Special Report: HELP JAPAN – Simple Plan – Top Music Japan". Topmusic.jp. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  59. ↑ "Simple Plan looks back on 'tornado' of last 10 years". CBC News. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  60. ↑ CBS and ABC news together
  61. ↑ "2014 MTV EMA Nominations: Get The Full List". MTV. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  62. ↑ "ADISQ". ADISQ. Retrieved 18 February 2014.

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