Simple Plan Get With The Program
Tuesday April 02, 2002 @ 05:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

"We don't hook up 'cause of Mark McGrath," half-jokes Simple Plan frontman Pierre Bouvier. Touring with Sugar Ray in support of their own debut album No Pads, No Helmets... Just Balls, the Montreal five-piece may have it together in the hooky songwriting department, but when it comes to girls, they're still learning. "He sucks up all the girls!" rants drummer Chuck Comeau. "They're like, 'Can you get me backstage?' Sure, sure! 'To see Mark McGrath?' [Stares at feet] No."

While Simple Plan are still second-rate to the groupies, they receive nothing but the finest of accolades from the Raysters themselves. Hand-picked as support for the mega-unit shifters on their North American tour, the band are proud to have the Sugar Ray seal of approval.

"Our album just came out as we were on tour with them and they brought us two bottles of champagne, popping them open on the bus with us," beams Bouvier. "And they're giving us shouts every night. It's been better than I ever expected."

Of course, maybe some of the recognition comes from not having to do as much work each night. While McGrath and crew are generally busy tending to the fans, Simple Plan have taken it upon themselves to ensure the show runs smoothly. From taking over drum duties for a song or two (via kicking the Sugar Ray drummer off his stool), to soundchecking their gear, Canada's newest pop-punk export take care of their Big Brothers.

"It's becoming an everyday thing," says Bouvier. "The Sugar Ray sound guy will be calling for us to come over and check the gear. It's a lot of fun and the band doesn't seem to mind. I guess it's less work for them."

Always humble, the boys in Simple Plan are quick to point out how lucky they are. Not every band obtains such a sweet gig early on in their career (confirmed before the album was even released). Maintaining one of punk's most essential rules, Comeau commits to tape that should they be so lucky, they will return the favour.

"Who knows what will happen in the future, but if we ever have the chance to headline our own tour, we'll definitely be bringing along smaller bands. We've always been about supporting the scene, and from what we've seen, that's what the bands we respect do." He laughs, "You can hold us to it, too. Throw it in my face if we become jaded!"

Simple Plan play Edgefest July 1 in Barrie, Ontario
-Keith Carman