A Simple Plan Fansite
This entry was posted on June 2, 2008
It’s no secret that I love Simple Plan. I’ve seen them no end of times (well, five times if we’re being pedantic) and they’re a band that means a lot to me.
So much so, that I’ve made a Simple Plan fansite! “Operation Simple Plan” is a project that started off small and kind of grew into a much larger project. It would not have been possible without the help of my friend Claire; she has been invaluable throught the whole building process.
Operation Simple Plan is now open to the public! We’ve got a forum, a gallery, and loads of ways to get involved! So, if you’re an SP fan (and even if you’re not), please do check out my Simple Plan fansite.
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A very busy weekend
This entry was posted on April 21, 2008
The reason I haven’t blogged in the past few days is not because I’m dead (thank God!), it’s because I literally haven’t had the time. I haven’t touched a computer since Thursday morning, and I’ve barely even checked my email. My phone has web capabilities, but for some reason it hates Wordpress, which has kept me from blogging on my phone.
So what have I been up to? Well, I spent most of Friday in a queue outside the Astoria, waiting for the doors to open so I could go in and see Simple Plan. I almost froze to death (I swear the corner of Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road is the windiest place ever) so I invested in a scarf and a pair of socks, which just about kept me warm until the doors opened and we were allowed in.
After being patted down (ooh er!) and having my bag searched (no contraband here) I made it into the main hall and managed to grab one of the few remaining spots right on the barrier. I’m not sure I know words to describe how excited I was. This was the fourth time I’d seen Simple Plan (SP) and the first time I’d been able to stand on the left hand side of the stage (which is where my two favourite members of the band stand).
The support act (Kids in Glass Houses) weren’t that bad, and when SP finally came on at quarter to nine, the crowd screamed louder than any crowd I’d heard before in that sort of environment. It literally made my ears hurt. The band opened with “Generation” and the show carried on in a similar style, mixing songs from their new album with some of their classic tracks (such as “Addicted” and “Shut Up”).
The Friday night show was the best show I’ve seen in my life (non-SP bands included). It was so energetic, and enthusiastic, and fun, and loads of other adjectives that I won’t list because I’ll sound too much like a crazy fangirl. I lurked around afterwards to try and meet the band but there was a big crowd waiting and unfortunately I didn’t get to meet them.
Saturday I slept in, and then hiked it up to Birmingham with my friends. After dumping our belonging at my friend’s house (didn’t really want to take my pyjamas and dirty underwear into the SP show) we trundled out to Wolverhampton on something called the “metro”. We got there ten minutes after the doors opened, so absolutely no queuing was needed at all!
I found a spot at the side, but the venue was horrible. It was too hot, I was too exhausted, and I didn’t appreciate young girls jumping on my feet repeatedly (even though it was nice to see people enthusiastic for SP). The opening act were double-booked and so had to cancel at the last minute, leaving someone “local” to perform. This “local” person was a drunk-sounding Irish man with a guitar and a synth. Let’s just say he didn’t go down too well. This was the first time I’d witnessed boo-ing at an SP show.
SP came out, and I lasted about a third of the way into the show before I started to feel faint. I eventually found the bar hidden behind some doors (what kind of venue hides their bar?!) and then when the water didn’t help much, I headed out to the foyer to get some fresh air.
I spent about 15 - 20 minutes talking to Patrick (SP’s merch guy) about the band, etc. etc. and he dragged me back into the hall to see SP play “What If”. It was a great performance, and I enjoyed it a lot. Still, though, the hall was far too hot for me, so I went back out to the foyer. One of the security staff told me not to sit with my eyes shut because it made me look like I was unconscious.
During “Perfect” (played during the encore, and the one SP song that always makes me cry) a girl came and spoke to me. She asked me why I was sad, and I explained that just because I wasn’t smiling, didn’t mean I was sad. We talked a little bit about what “perfect” means, and she told me that she sees the imperfections in people, and then loves them because of that.
After the show, there was a much smaller crowd waiting to meet the band. Sebastien came out first, followed by Pierre and then David. David mentioned that Chuck and Jeff were still in the shower (he even winked and whistled at that), but eventually Jeff came out. Someone managed to persuade him to text Chuck to get him to come out as well. So far I’d managed hugs and pictures with all four members.
After nearly freezing to death (it was gone 1am at this point), Chuck eventually came out to meet everyone. I say “everyone” and I mean “the seven people who were still waiting in the cold”. I didn’t ask him for a picture or an autograph (I was too cold) and he was sweet enough to ask me if I was okay. I playfully replied that I’d have a hug if there was one going, and he gave me a lovely hug (even if he did accidentally bash me in the face with his shoulder).
Having eventually tracked down a legal and safe-looking taxi, we eventually made it back to my friend’s house at 3am. I slept right through till gone noon, and finally made it home at 8pm. I was cold, tired, stiff, headachey, and completely shattered… but it was the funnest weekend I think I’ve ever had.
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The downside to Simple Plan
This entry was posted on February 25, 2008
I love Simple Plan. That’s no secret. I recently met them when they did their tour of Camden, and I’m going to see them again as part of their European tour in April. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. My nearest and dearest are fed up with me constantly talking about them. I can’t help it though!
However, much as I do love Simple Plan, they do have a slight flaw. And that flaw comes in the shape of their new third studio album. It’s their third album, it’s simply called “Simple Plan” and it was released over here in the UK on the 18th of February (why do we always get things last?).
This third album is a change from the sound of their previous two albums, and it has been almost two years in the making. I had high hopes for this album. What I love about Simple Plan’s music is that it’s relatable, and it’s as catchy as hell. As one reviewer put it, Simple Plan are “catchier than a case of the clap”.
Simple Plan may not be the most musically talented group in the world, but they are damn good at what they do. They sell millions of records and have millions of fans (and “haters”). They don’t always go down well with the critics, though, and with this third album I can kind of see why.
The songs are catchy, enthusiastic, fun, musical, inoffensive, radio-friendly, relatable, and… nice. And that’s where the problem lies. It’s almost as if they are trying too hard to make a good record. The songs are good and everything, but there’s just no evidence of the enthusiasm that you get when you go to a live Simple Plan show.
The whole album is far too technical. It’s good that there’s a slight hiphop influx to the record, but in some places it’s overpowering, and you get synthesized beats instead of a guitar solo. When certain songs from the album are played live, Chuck (the drummer) has to have his laptop with him. That’s not music.
I miss the live shows that Simple Plan put on. They play with so much enthusiasm and passion that even if you hate their music, you can still appreciate that they’re having a good time and so are their crowd. That passion doesn’t seem to translate to the album though. It sounds as though they’ve recorded everything a million times and pieced together the best-sounding parts in the hopes it’ll be the best-sounding record. But sometimes… sometimes perfection comes from imperfection.
This is a very technically correct album, but it lacks the oomph that you get with the live shows. For that reason, I fear it may sit lonely on my ipod for the times I need a dose of Simple Plan. Until then, though, I’m going to have to stick to my “Hard Rock Live” album, and my ripped copies of “AOL sessions”. And of course, the live shows!
