| Send to a friend | Print

The members of the Montreal group, Simple Plan, have known each other since high school. However, well before they began to work together, they were in separate bands of their own.

It was in 1999 that the rock quintet became officially known as Simple Plan. The band consists of Pierre Bouvier (vocals), Jeff Stinco (guitar), David Desrosiers (bass), Sébastien Lefebvre (guitar) and Chuck Comeau (drums). Determination and their diverse experience in the local music scene saw the band playing to big crowds at several important venues.  For example, in 2001 they were part of the Vans Warped Tour, Edge Fest and Snow Jam in Toronto.

These concerts helped to promote the career of the group. Several months later, they signed their first contract with the multinational label, Atlantic. They entered the studio to begin work on their first CD. It was recorded at veteran producer Arnold Lanni’s (Our Lady Peace) Arnyard Studio in Toronto.  The group also benefited from collaborations with Joel Madden of the group Good Charlotte and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 on the album. Some time before the release of the CD, the song on the upcoming album, I’m Just a Kid, was chosen to be on the soundtrack of the film, The New Guy. In the spring of 2003, they released their first album, No Pad, No Helmets… Just Balls.
The group rapidly became a favorite among young fans of punk-rock music. The band was rewarded for their hard work when they won a MuchMusic Video Award for People’s Choice for Favorite Canadian Group in 2003. Their first album went on to sell more than 3 million copies. The success allowed Simple Plan to perform at many different concerts worldwide, alongside other popular groups including Sugar Ray, Blink-182, Green Fay, Weezer and Jimmy Eat World.

The group decided to take their time, approximately three months, for writing and releasing their second album, Still Not Getting Any.  For this album, they enlisted well known international producer, Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe). Since its release in October 2004, the album was an enormous success. The popularity of the group among Canadians was unbelievable. They won the award for People’s Choice for Favorite Canadian Group of the Year three years in a row at the MuchMusic Video Awards (2004-2005-2006).

In December 2005, due to their overwhelming success, Simple Plan felt the need to give back to their fans. They created the Simple Plan Foundation, an organization that focuses on teen problems ranging from suicide to poverty and drug addiction. The same year, they also released their first live album entitled, Live from the Hard Rock.

In 2006, after finishing a Canadian tour, Simple Plan was again rewarded for their efforts. This time, they won the prestigious fan choice award at the Juno Awards, which acknowledges excellence in Canadian music.

In September 2006, Simple Plan gave a benefit concert at Laval for a good cause. The proceeds from the rock group’s performance were given to the Cité de la Santé Foundation in Laval, to help young people in need. After this event, the members of the group began to work on their next album.

In October 2006, the world-renowned rock band performed at the ADISQ gala, hosted by popular comedienne Louis-José Houde.

 
In June 2007, the rock quintet entered the studio to record their third album. Eight months later, the self-titled album, Simple Plan, was released. The songs, Simple Plan and Your Love is a Lie, did not waste time rising to the top of the charts. To further promote their album, Simple Plan set out on a new world tour.