Simple Plan Hits Shanghai

Simple Plan, one of pop punk’s perennial favourites is returning to Shanghai in support of a new album released this past June. The five piece shares its thoughts on growing older, its new album and, of course, Chinese food.

On 7 January, one of Canada's claims to pop-punk fame, Simple Plan will land in Shanghai for a one night stint at The Mixing Room in support of its newest album, Get Your Heart On! Originally scheduled to come to Shanghai back in August, the band had to cancel the show under doctor’s orders after Frontman Pierre Bouvier injured his vocal cords.

Speaking on behalf of the group, rhythm guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre said that for the title of the new album the band “wanted something that was funny, but also could have another meaning. Get Your Heart On! means being passionate and caring about… well, anything really! Just care”. Although if the cover art of the album– an image of a Simple Plan super fan with a bedroom wall covered in a patina of Simple Plan kitsch – is any indication, the band is hoping that its legion of fans will get their hearts on for this newest effort.

The 11-track album features familiar collaborations with Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte as well as appearances from Weezer's River Cuomo, Brit-pop star Natasha Bedingfield, Canadian rapper K'naan and Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low, one of the bands supporting Simple Plan on tour. According to Lefebvre, “Aside from 'Jet Lag', which was written as a duet, all the other songs we collaborated on after the fact. It was a lot of fun to get a bunch of great artists and friends to be on the record with us.” As the band's fourth studio album, there's an air of confidence and maturity to this newest production. “[You work] to have an album that you love and will have to perform live forever after that. We take our time to make sure everything is exactly the way we want it to be. The difference is that now we know what we are getting into,” says Lefebvre.

Already into its 12th year as a band, the members of Simple Plan have gone from being raucous teenagers to rocking adults. However, the band feels that the core of the group is the same. “Our music has changed just as much over the years as we have changed as people. Clearly we have a sound,” said Lefebvre. “We've evolved over the years, but we've always stayed true to ourselves.” Keeping a band together for over a decade is no easy feat. Lefebvre’s said that the secret to staying together was to “be with your friends and look at the big picture. There's no argument that's bigger than where you want to go and what you have done. Solve everything as it comes and truly move on.”

7 January. RMB 260 pre-sale, RMB 350 on the door. The Mixing Room by Muse. 1200 Shibo Dadao

WIN!

To win a pair of wristbands granting entrance to the Simple Plan Concert on 7 January at The Mixing Room, email [email protected] with your favourite Simple Plan song!