Simple Plan returns to Korea with new album

Canadian pop punk band “Simple Plan” / Courtesy of Access ENT

Pop-punk band to hold concert in Seoul Thursday

By Park Jin-hai

French-Canadian pop-punk act Simple Plan, who graced the finale of the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival five years ago, return to Korea for their own concert, Thursday.

“The last time we came to Korea was for a big festival with a bunch other bands,” said Chuck Comeau, the band’s drummer, during an email interview with The Korea Times. “It is really cool to come back and do our own headlining show, play in front of our fans, and playing the full show. A lot of fans in Asia are very supportive, but Korean fans really shocked and surprised us.”

Formed 17 years ago as a five-member band with Comeau on drums, vocalist Pierre Bouvier, lead guitarist Jeff Stinco, rhythm guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre and bassist David Desrosiers, the band has released five albums, including “Taking One for the Team” released in February.

Comeau says the band’s new album, “Taking One for the Team,” reflects the essence of being in the band.

“If you want it to work, you have to sacrifice once in a while,” he said. “We put the band first before each of us. That has been our rule. This new record is about standing up for yourself and about accepting who you are and not about how other people who might say that you are not good enough. The whole point is ‘empowering.’ Making you feel confident and feel that you are good enough.”

Saying that “it was a ‘simple plan’ for us, as opposed to having a regular day job, we started a band and toured the world and tried to spread our music all around the world,” Comeau added that the reason the original members have stayed together for so long is because they were friends before forming the band.

“We have had the same band members for 17 years,” he said. “Most bands don’t last that long, what with big lineup changes and big fights and drama. We grew up in the same neighborhood, and we’ve been friends for 20 years, even before we started the band. If there is an issue, we sit down and solve it. The key is to accept the fact that you have to compromise for the greater good of the band. Put the band first before each one of us. We’ve been living by that rule since we first started the band and that is how and why we are here today.”

Regarding the Seoul concert, the band says it will be more like a “greatest hits” or a “best of” album of Simple Plan’s old school throwbacks from their second album to more recent ones.

“On the new album there is a song called ‘Boom,’” Comeau said. “It’s a cool one with a lot of energy. Also we have a song called ‘Singing in the Rain,’ which is a brand-new single. Those are two fun songs that fans might enjoy and they can focus on if they want to get ready for the show.”

Part of the proceeds from their concerts ― a dollar per ticket ― goes to the Simple Plan Foundation established by the band in 2005 to help teen problems, ranging from suicide and poverty to drug addiction.

“Our philosophy has been about being honest and making music that is heartfelt and genuine,” Comeau said. “Do something we love and do it for the right reason. Write songs that move you. You want to be moved by your own music.”

Simple Plan’s Seoul concert is part of its Southeast Asian tour and will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at Seoul's Blue Square Samsung Card Hall next to exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on Line 6.