29/04/2011 – Simple Plan (Sébastien Lefebvre) – english

Enjoy The Show: Your new album is on the way and will be released soon. What can the fans expect on this new one and how many songs will be on it? What about the title?

Sébastien Lefebvre (Simple Plan): This new record is really good, our best one yet. It’s important for us to feel that way whenever we put out a record. We really went back to what Simple Plan used to do to mix it up with what we are doing now. It’s a mix of everything we’ve ever done, but also an evolution. We worked really hard on writing the songs and are really proud of it. There’s 11 songs on the record and all your remaining questions will be answered in the next few days if you keep on checking simpleplan.com . We like to leave you wanting more.

ETS: Your new video for ‘Can’t Keep My Hands Off You’ premiered yesterday. How has the response been with the video and the song in general?

S.L.: We are very happy with with the response everybody has been having to the song. It is a fun song and it represents the album really well and the fans are into it. What more could we ask for. We had a good time recording that song, shooting the video, and it translates.

ETS: How has working with Brian Howes been? Is there any reason you chose him over your last producers Dave Fortman, Bob Rock and Arnold Lanni?

S.L.: We are producer whores it seems. Working with different people is a privilege for us and are grateful that we’ve had the chance to work with some of the biggest names out there. Brian love to make sure every side and aspect of a song is exactly the way you want it, and that’s something we have in comment. He makes sure every single part of every song is the best it can be, and the result is an album that we love.

ETS: What about the writing process, how long did it take? What can we expect on the lyrics?

S.L.: We wrote more songs than we’ve ever written. We wanted to make sure we nailed what Simple Plan was supposed to do on it’s 4th album. So we tried a lot of different things and picked our favorite/best songs in the end. The lyrics are still what you can expect from us: honest, personal experiences, things people like us go through and matter to us.

ETS: You have recently collaborated with various songwriters such as Rivers Cuomo, David Hodges and Claude Kelly. How was it? Is there anyone else you’d like to collaborate with but you haven’t yet?

S.L.: Collaborating helps keeping it fresh. When you’ve written hundreds of songs, it’s good to have an outside person pitch in once in a while. I’d love to collaborate with Joey Cape, one of our favorite singers from when we were growing up. Just a guilty pleasure and personal satisfaction.

ETS: You are coming to Europe in a few months and then Warped Tour. Are you excited about any specific date? WIll it be possible to see you in our country soon?

S.L.: I’m just excited to get back on the road and see all your faces again! We love touring and we’ve not done it in AGES!!! If all goes to plan, we will go everywhere very soon. So if you are from anywhere, check out sp.com for touring details.

ETS: What is your best achievement as a band?

S.L.: I think still being around with the same 5 guys is HUGE! Most bands disappear, or break up, and change up members. As long as people will come to our shows, we’ll be happy. But i have to say that something i’m proud of is the fact that, whenever nominated, we’ve never lost the “people’ choice award” at the Much Music Video Awards. It just goes to show that we have the best fans in the world and that they support us!

ETS: Any expectations for 2011?

S.L.: Yep! Album release and TOURING!!!

ETS: And finally, anything you want to say to your fans?

S.L.: Thanks very much for the support. We appreciate your patience, you will not regret it! Follow us on the web and see you at the shows!

Know more about Simple Plan:
Official website | MySpace | Twitter | Facebook