Photo: Chapman Baehler

SIMPLE PLAN TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL -- AS THEY SAY -- ON STILL NOT GETTING ANY

BY KERRY DOOLE

So just what is the Simple Plan formula for multi-platinum international success? Well, you don't have to be an Einstein to figure it out. Put it down to a winning combination of good timing, smart management, a relentless work ethic, and, yes, a batch of undeniably catchy pop-punk tunes.

        Together since 1999, these Montreal-based rockers have already written one of the premier success stories in Canadian music so far this decade. Their 2002 debut, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls , has sold close to three million copies worldwide. In these days of downloading, that's an amazing figure. It has gone double platinum in both Canada and the US, and they're big in Japan (the first market to go crazy for SP) and Australia too. They've kept the sales figures climbing with a virtually non-stop tour schedule that includes appearances on three consecutive Vans Warped tours.

        This fall, Simple Plan made inroads into the English market via arena gigs supporting Avril Lavigne, and they're now returning to the endless rock & roll highway with new product to flog. Yes, that ever-important second album is out, along with the inevitable questions: Will it duplicate the phenomenal success of the first? Will it earn them the critical respect that has eluded them to date?

        Access put these and other queries to three members of Simple Plan during their pre-release promo blitz of Toronto. The lads come across as confident, but not cocky, and they projected a genuine belief that, with Still Not Getting Any , they have delivered an album superior to their debut.

        "I think this takes us to the next level," says singer Pierre Bouvier. "In my opinion, we have got a little closer to what we want to sound like, with the songs and the sound."

        The band is quick to credit superstar producer Bob Rock (Mötley Crüe, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Metallica) for his creative contributions. No Pads was produced by Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven), but Simple Plan went for a change at the helm.

        "We realized we had the option to work with big-name producers for the first time," explains guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre. "We had a dream list and Bob was on there. As it happened, he had just recorded an album with Our Lady Peace, and we have the same management company as them. We called our manager to ask if Bob wanted to work with us. Not until we got him on the phone did we realize that he really wanted to do it and that he understood what we needed to do to have Simple Plan step up to another level."

        Rock was even accommodating enough to leave his usual recording locale of Hawaii to come to Montreal for the three-month recording process. "We didn't have much time to do this record," recalls Sebastien. "We had to get things done quickly, but without losing any quality, and Bob was amazing for that. We just got very focused and made the best record we could within that timeframe. We have to tip the hat to Bob for that."

       Coincidentally, Rock was a reference point for the debut. "We are big fans of everything Bob has done," says Sebastien. "Even on the first record, we'd say, 'I wonder how Bob would make this sound?' Once in the studio, we realized he had a history of producing punk bands too, from his early days in Vancouver."

        Rock's background as a musician (The Payola$, Rock and Hyde) was valuable too. "He really understands the chemistry and the politics of being in a band," observes guitarist Jeff Stinco. "Not that we're as dysfunctional as Metallica! (a reference to the Some Kind Of Monster doco)."

        "There were no big arguments," adds Lefebvre. "It was just 'let's leave the egos at the door and get the work done'."

        Rock's hand can be heard in the increased crunch and gloss of the Simple Plan guitar sound. It certainly makes tracks like 'Welcome To My Life' (the first single), 'Shut Up' and 'Perfect World' rock radio-friendly.

        Elsewhere, the band attempts to expand upon the Blink 182/Good Charlotte/Green Day template of their debut. The closing track, 'Untitled', for instance, relies on string arrangement and piano.

        Simple Plan are clearly tired of the 'just another pop-punk band' label. "I think this record is a natural evolution, but not like a complete departure from the first," analyses Sebastien. "It is about the desire to go further. We don't set limits on who we are. We are not just a punk or pop band. We are Simple Plan and we are trying to find our identity."

        Bouvier insists that "the biggest mistake a band can make is to make the same record twice. The bands that stick around are the ones that show a different side on each record." Lefebvre notes that "we look up to bands like The Beatles, U2, Weezer and No Doubt. We perceive them as reinventing themselves over the course of a career and coming up with a unique sound. That is our goal." They certainly can't be compared to The Beatles yet, but this is a worthier goal than becoming the next Blink.

        Not that Simple Plan have become all self-important. "The reason we called the album Still Not Getting Any is for people to understand we're not taking ourselves too seriously here," says Lefebvre. "We still love to goof around, and we'll still be on the road having fun and entertaining the people that come to see us."

        They insist that success has not gone to their heads. Their lunch choice of club sandwich and fries, not caviar, would confirm that. "We're just guys who like the lifestyle we're living now," says Sebastien. "Sure, we are making some money now, but we're still not tempted to buy crazy-ass cars and big houses."

        Within Simple Plan, Bouvier and drummer Chuck Comeau handle the songwriting chores. "We have a few writing sessions together, working on the melodies and lyrics, then we'll bring the band together to shape the songs," explains Pierre. "I don't have a formula. Each song is different."

        Chuck once explained that he'd never write a song people couldn't relate to. "There's nothing worse than a song about snorting cocaine off a stripper's chest and driving Ferraris. I can't relate to that."

        They may like to party, but clearly Simple Plan do so within bounds. "I think the era of bands who are debauched is over," claims Bouvier. "There is so much competition out there. You have to work and concentrate so hard. You can't just be a f**k-up and turn up loaded and give a bad show. Those people won't come back."

        "We have very high standards for ourselves," agrees Sebastien. "We are all great at bringing each other back to reality. If one person steps out and acts like a prick, the others will be there."

        One misconception is that success has come SP's way too quickly and easily. Bouvier points out that, between Simple Plan and teen punk band Reset, he and Chuck Comeau have played together for eleven years. "We toured across the country, played shitty venues and drove a Winnebago into the ditch in Northern Ontario at 4 a.m. A lot of experience came from that."

        In their international touring, Simple Plan have noticed some cultural differences within their audience. "If we're talking between songs in Japan, you can hear a pin drop," says Pierre. "In America, fans will yell or talk to each other. In England, they'll scream, 'Shut up, you bloody wanker!'"

        It is Sebastien Lefebvre who puts the whole SP situation into perspective. "At the end of the day, it's 'do you like the music or not?' Who cares if it is a blow-up success thing? If you like the music, go buy it. If not, go buy something else!"

       Simple, isn't it?

Photo: Chapman Baehler

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