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Simple Plan

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Simple Plan
Simple Plan in 2009. From left to right: Desrosiers, Lefebvre, Bouvier, Stinco, Comeau.
Simple Plan in 2009. From left to right: Desrosiers, Lefebvre, Bouvier, Stinco, Comeau.
Background information
OriginMontréal, Québec, Canada
GenresPop punk, alternative rock,[1] pop rock[2][3]
Years active1999 (1999)–present
LabelsLava, Atlantic
MembersPierre Bouvier
Sébastien Lefebvre
David Desrosiers
Chuck Comeau
Jeff Stinco
Websitesimpleplan.com

Simple Plan is a French-Canadian rock band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no lineup changes since its inception in 1999. Members include Pierre Bouvier (lead vocals), Jeff Stinco (lead guitar), Sébastien Lefebvre (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), David Desrosiers (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Chuck Comeau (drums and percussion). They have released four studio albums: No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002), Still Not Getting Any... (2004), Simple Plan (2008) and Get Your Heart On! (2011); as well as two widely marketed live albums: Live in Japan 2002 (2003) and MTV Hard Rock Live (2005).

They performed at the Vans Warped Tour every year from 1999–2005 and in 2011.[4] The band also performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony,[5] along with The X Factor Australia.[6] In December 2012, they performed at Mood Indigo, the college festival of IIT Bombay in Mumbai, India.

History

Formation and early years (1993–2000)

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

Simple Plan began in 1993 with the formation of a band named Reset by friends Pierre Bouvier, Charles-André "Chuck" Comeau, Philippe Jolicoeur, and Jean-Sebastien Boileau.[7] Reset toured around Canada with bands such as MXPX, Ten Foot Pole, and Face to Face, but only managed to gain modest popularity.[8] The debut album, No Worries No Limits, was released in 1997, and Comeau left soon after to go to college.[7] 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 Simple Plan.[7] In late 1999, Comeau and Bouvier reacquainted at a Sugar Ray concert[8] and Bouvier left Reset soon after to join Comeau. David Desrosiers replaced Bouvier in Reset, but he too left the band six months later to join Simple Plan.[7][8] 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 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.[9]

No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002–2004)

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.[10] The name of the CD echoes the popular tag line for the sport of rugby, "No pads, no helmets, just balls."

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" that took place at a concert scenario and "I'm Just a Kid" that took place in a school setting. 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. [citation needed]

In support of the album in 2002, the year it was released, Simple Plan played more than 300 shows, topped the Alternative New Artist Chart, and played a sold out tour in Japan.[11] 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. That same year (2003) they opened for Avril Lavigne on her "Try To Shut Me Up" Tour.[11] In addition to several headlining tours, they have also opened for Green Day and Good Charlotte.[11] 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. [citation needed]

Still Not Getting Any... (2004–2008)

In 2004, Simple Plan released their 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" and "In The Zone". They 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 weren't getting any good reviews, Bouvier once noting that they only had one recent good review in Alternative Press. "Still Not Getting Any..." was a musical departure from their previous album. 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 "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'.[12]

Simple Plan (2008–2011)

The band in concert in Trenton, NJ, December 2007

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 their third studio album. As announced in Bouvier's official MySpace blog, Bouvier headed to Miami as on about 21 March 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 29 June. On 15 July 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 21 October, 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 from Simple Plan was released on 29 October when the band held a fan webcast. Simple Plan was produced by Dave Fortman (Evanescence, Mudvayne), Danjahandz (Timbaland, Justin Timberlake) and Max Martin known for his work with Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson. On 17 February 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 29 November 2007, the band announced that the CD release would be postponed from the originally-scheduled 29 January 2008 date to what proved to be the actual release date of 12 February 2008. The Japanese version, with two bonus tracks, was released on 6 February 2008.

Simple Plan held an extensive tour schedule in support of their 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 Quebec City's Plains of Abraham, attracting a crowd of 150,000 to the Canada Day show.[13] After a return to the Far East in late July and early August, the band played a Cross Canada Tour[14] with Faber Drive, Cute is What We Aim For[15] 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.

Get Your Heart On! (2011– 2012)

The band's fourth album Get Your Heart On! was released on 21 June 2011. Fans who pre-ordered the album were given access to several other songs from the album prior to the actual release date. Three tracks were released for those who pre-ordered, including "You Suck at Love", "Loser of the Year" and "Freaking Me Out" (feat. Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low). The album marks Simple Plan's second time since their debut No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls—which featured Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte—to feature collaborations with other artists, including Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, Marie-Mai, Natasha Bedingfield, K'naan and Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low.[16] On 30 March, the band launched a new official website to hold over until the "actual new website" was launched, with a new video talking about the first listen of their new song "Can't Keep My Hands Off You" (feat. Rivers Cuomo) which is available to stream on their website and to purchase on iTunes. On 20 April the band announced that "Jet Lag" would be the album's lead single. The song was released in English and French versions featuring singers Natasha Bedingfield and Marie-Mai respectively.[17] To promote the song, a service called "JetLag Airlines" was set up on the website, releasing news, lyrics, tracklists and videos regarding the album. "Jet Lag" premiered on 25 April. On 6 May the band released the song "You Suck at Love" for free download for those who pre-ordered the album. The video for "Jet Lag", featuring Natasha Bedingfield, was released on 4 May, and the video featuring Marie-Mai was released on 16 May on YouTube.

Prior to the release of the album, the band started playing the song "You Suck at Love" live during the Bamboozle Roadshow Tour in June 2010, and on 11 February 2011 the band released a snippet preview of the studio version of the song on their website and YouTube channel. The song was speculated to be the first single of the album. The band was on the roster of Warped Tour 2011 for selected dates in June and July 2011.[18]

In September and October 2011, Simple Plan performed four shows in Australia, on their "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 their tour in spring 2012.[19]

In a 2013 interview with Musichel[20], lead vocalist Pierre Bouvier announced that the band was writing their next studio album and that they were working on a DVD.

Musical style

Simple Plan's style of music has been described as pop punk by the Calgary Herald,[21] The Torontoist,[22] Channel News Asia,[23] Allmusic,[24] NME,[25] MTV,[26] The Guardian,[27] the BBC,[28] Rocklouder[29] About.com,[30] Entertainment Weekly[31] and VH1;[32] punk rock revivalist by The New York Times,[33] "Dude Rock" by Digital Spy;[34] with Rolling Stone reviews describing No Helmets No Pads... Just Balls as "new-punk".[35][36] Atlantic Records marketing material has described the band's style as having "classic punk energy and modern pop sonics".[37]

Simple Plan Foundation

The members of Simple Plan have helped nonprofit and advocacy groups by donating to many established organizations such as the MTV Asia Aid benefit, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), RAAADD (Recording Artists, Actors, and Athletes against Drunk Driving), and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, after being frustrated because the members did not know exactly where their money was going to, the Simple Plan members 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. The list of donors included venues on their November–December 2005 Canadian tour. In June 2008, Simple Plan announced plans for the foundation to distribute $100,000 to organizations that aid children or families experiencing difficulties due to handicaps or illness.[38] Selected organizations included Children's Wish Foundation, Kids Help Phone, and War Child Canada, as well as College Beaubois (the high school alma mater of all band members except Desrosiers).[39]

In addition, the members held a benefit for the Foundation in August. While the band's January show in Montreal had been to benefit the Foundation, this was described as the first fundraising event. It consisted of brunch and an acoustic performance.[40] An additional fundraising event was held on September 2009 in Montreal. 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.[41]

On 15 March 2011, as a result of Japan's 9.0 Richter scale earthquake, the Simple Plan Foundation stated it would be donating $10,000 to the Japan Red Cross Relief Efforts, and that fans could help donate by purchasing a "Simple Plan Help Japan" t-shirt for $20, making clear that all proceeds from sales of the t-shirts are going toward the fund.[42]

In May of 2012, Simple Plan headlined a concert organized by MTV EXIT to raise awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery in Vietnam. Following the concert, the band embarked on another collaboration with MTV EXIT to produce a brand new music video for the song This Song Saved My Life. The music video was produced in Australia under the direction of award-winning creative agency Colman & Rasic and Sydney-based film maker Ash Bolland.[43] The band also appears in a special documentary produced by MTV EXIT. The documentary follows the band as they travel to northern Vietnam to visit with two organizations (Sapa O’Chau and Pacific Links) to learn first hand about the dangers of human trafficking in the region and the importance of education in the prevention of modern day slavery.[44]

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.[45]

Band members

Discography

Main article: Simple Plan discography

Awards and nominations

Bouvier looks out over the crowd in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 18 March 2009
Radio Canada/La Presse Awards
  • 2013 Nominated for Arts and Entertainment Award
  • 2013 Won Personality of the Year Award[46]
CASBY Awards[47]
  • 2002 Won CASBY Award
Juno Awards
  • 2012 Won Allan Waters Humanitarian Award[48]
  • 2009 Nominated for Juno Award
  • 2009 Nominated for Juno Award (for the group itself)
  • 2006 Won Juno Fan Choice Award
  • 2005 Nominated for Juno Award
  • 2005 Nominated for Juno Award
  • 2005 Nominated for Juno Award
Kerrang! Awards
  • 2008 Nominated for Kerrang! Award
MTV Asia Awards
  • 2006 Nominated for Favourite Pop Act
MTV Video Music Awards
  • 2004 Nominated for MTV Video Music Award
  • 2003 Nominated for MTV Video Music Award
MuchMusic Video Awards
  • 2012 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award (Best International Video by a Canadian)
  • 2012 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award (UR FAVE VIDEO)
  • 2011 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2009 Won MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2008 Won MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2008 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2008 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2006 Won MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2006 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2006 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2005 Won MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2005 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2005 Nominated for MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2004 Won MuchMusic Video Award
  • 2003 Won MuchMusic Video Award
NRJ Music Awards
  • 2012 Won NRJ Music Award
  • 2007 Nominated for NRJ Music Award
Teen Choice Awards
  • 2008 Nominated for Teen Choice Award
  • 2005 Won Teen Choice Award

ADISQ
  • 2006 Won artiste s'étant illustré le plus hors Québec

References

  1. ^ Quelle: APA. "Saisonabschluss in Wiesen mit "Two Days A Week" > Kleine Zeitung". Kleinezeitung.at. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  2. ^ Bliss, Karen (27 February 2012). "Simple Plan to Receive Humanitarian Honor at 2012 Juno Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Simple Plan: Simple Plan vying for 7th MMVA". Jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. ^ Yago, Gideon (14 January 2003). "Used, Simple Plan, Rancid, Distillers on Warped Tour '03". MTV. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  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. ^ a b c d SimplePlan.cz. "Reset Biography". Simpleplan.cz. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  8. ^ a b c "Simple Plan Biography". Starpulse.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Rock Louder Interview with Simple Plan". Rocklouder.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Archived Simple Plan Bio". Web.archive.org. 29 October 2005. Archived from the original on 29 October 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  11. ^ a b c "Delafont bio". Delafont.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  12. ^ Allmusic Review of Still Not Getting Any...
  13. ^ "Simple Plan relève le défi". Le Soleil.
  14. ^ "Simple Plan tour". Simpleplan.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Support Acts Added to Simple Plan's August 28 Performance at Scotiabank Place". Marketwire.com. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  16. ^ "You Suck at Love – Blog Detail". simpleplan.com. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  17. ^ Simple Plan's newest features collaborations with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, K'naan (Nick Patch, The Canadian Press / Brandon Sun) 21 June 2011
  18. ^ "Simple Plan". Warped Tour. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  19. ^ "We The Kings to support Simple Plan only in March". SimplePlan.cz. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Interview: Simple Plan". Musichel. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  21. ^ "Two faces of punk". Calgary Herald. Canada.com. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  22. ^ Hatch, Robin (29 August 2008). "Urban Planner: 29 August 2008". Torontoist.com. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  23. ^ "Get in on the Simple Plan". MediaCorp Channel NewsAsia. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  24. ^ Wilson, MacKenzie. "Simple Plan/Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  25. ^ "Simple Plan attack KISS for Download backstage ban". NME. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  26. ^ "Simple Plan". MTV. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  27. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (26 February 2005). "Simple Plan/Astoria, London". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  28. ^ Pryor, Fiona (12 February 2008). "Talking Shop: Simple Plan". BBC. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  29. ^ Rocklouder – When i'm gone review [importance?]
  30. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Simple Plan's Simple Plan". About.com. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  31. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (8 February 2008). "Simple Plan (2008)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  32. ^ "Simple Plan". VH1. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  33. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (4 February 2003). "ROCK REVIEW; Punk Is Back, Adapted To More Congenial Ways". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  34. ^ Fletcher, Alex (11 February 2008). "Simple Plan: 'When I'm Gone'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  35. ^ Caramanica, Jon (20 March 2003). "Album Reviews/Simple Plan/No Helmets No Pads... Just Balls". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  36. ^ Hoard, Christian (21 February 2008). "Album Reviews/Simple Plan". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "The Orillia Packet & Times". Orilliapacket.com. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  39. ^ "Simple Plan Donate $100,000 To Charitable Organizations". Chartattack.com. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  40. ^ "Simple Plan Donates 100,000$". Simpleplan.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ "Special Report: HELP JAPAN – Simple Plan – Top Music Japan". Topmusic.jp. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  43. ^ "Simple Plan and MTV EXIT Release Unique Music Video to Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking". MTV EXIT. 01 November 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  44. ^ "Simple Plan Learns About Human Trafficking in Vietnam".
  45. ^ "Simple Plan looks back on 'tornado' of last 10 years". CBC News. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  46. ^ "Radio-Canada/La Presse names Simple Plan "Personality of the Year"". SimplePlan.cz. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  47. ^ CBS and ABC news together
  48. ^ "Simple Plan to receive the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at Juno Awards". SimplePlan.cz. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
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