| The Montreal-based punk-pop group Simple Plan is comprised of high school pals Pierre Bouvier (vocals), Jeff Stinco (guitar), David Desrosiers (bass), Sebastien Lefebvre (guitar), and Chuck Comeau (drums). The five-piece initially came together when Comeau and Bouvier founded Reset at age 13. Reset was a modest success in Canada, touring the country with fellow punkers MxPx, Ten Foot Pole, and Face to Face. A debut album followed in 1997, however Comeau bowed out quietly to attended college. Two years later, Comeau let his studies take a back seat in order for he, Stinco, and Lefebvre to start making music. Bouvier was still in charge of Reset during this time, but grew tired of being both a frontman and a guitarist. He and Comeau reconnected at a Sugar Ray show in late 1999 and it wasn't long until Bouvier was back with Comeau and the rest of his motley crew. Desrosiers, who replaced Bouvier in Reset, was asked to join Comeau and his pals, and Simple Plan was born. They landed show dates with the annual Vans Warped Tour in 2001 as well as spots with Toronto's Snow Jam. By now, Simple Plan had a spunky, energetic punk sound. It was textured like Cheap Trick, but raw like Pennywise. In 2002, Simple Plan headed into the studio to make a record. Good Charlotte's Joel Madden and Mark Hoppus of blink-182 joined Simple Plan during those sessions and the end result was the fiery, fun No Pad, No Helmets...Just Balls, which was released in spring 2003 on Lava. The group took home a 2003 MuchMusic Video Award for People's Choice "Favorite Canadian Group" in June. Their Bob Rock-produced second album Still Not Getting Any… followed the next year. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide |
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