Interview: Sébastien Lefebvre of Simple Plan

Canadian pop-punk mavens Simple Plan release their eponymous third studio album on 18th February 2008, which promises to be every bit as successful as their others, if not more so.

The Dreaded Press got the opportunity to pester Simple Plan’s guitarist, Sébastien Lefebvre, about the recording of the new album, the highs and lows of life on the road, an the band’s frequent charitable work.

TDP: Where are you right now, and what have you been doing today?

Sébastien Lefebvre: I’m sitting shotgun in the bus, and today I performed 2 songs on the radio with the band and am now driving to Harrisburg PA for another performance tonight.

TDP: You completed the new album a few months ago – how did the recording sessions go?

Sébastien Lefebvre: It was a lot of fun recording this record. I think we are at a point now that we didn’t put any boundaries when recording, which made the whole thing very smooth and interesting.

TDP: What were your plans before you headed for the studio to record?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Before we went into recording, we wanted to make sure that we had all the songs we needed. Writing this record took a bit longer because we allowed ourselves to try things as far as songwriting goes. I mean, we wanted to do something a bit more different and unique with this record.

TDP: What music had been influencing your own material at the time?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Actually, this will sound funny, but an artist like Justin Timberlake influenced this record in the sense that he came out with something daring and original. We loved the sounds that one of his producers, Danja, uses and that’s why we worked with him. We wanted to incorporate some of that feel with what we do. Also, records like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance pushed us further because they had made pretty ambitious records and making something expected was not an option for us.

TDP: You worked with three producers, one of whom is known for his metal credentials, and two who are better known for their pop work. How did the tension between styles affect the recording process?

Sébastien Lefebvre: There was no tension. We had demoed some songs with Danja in our attempt to branch out and we really liked what came out. We were looking for a rock producer to tie it all up and Dave Fortman really understood what we were going for and was really excited. We needed him to keep the ‘rock’ in our sound, so Danja co-produced his songs with him. Max Martin heard “Generation” and really wanted to help us try to take that song even further. That’s how it all worked out.

TDP: What were the producers like to work with? What roles did they play in the final versions of the songs on the album?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Danja had a big role because he gave us the initial spark for this new direction we were trying. He was very inspirational.

And Dave Fortman was there to make sure that, even though we were trying to blend in some new ideas, the whole project was still very uniform and that we still sounded like a rock band.

TDP: Many reviewers suggested that Still Not Getting Any … was a move towards straight-up rock away from the pop-punk format. What differences will we hear on the new album?

Sébastien Lefebvre: The Simple Plan sound is still there but even better than before. There’s a better variety of songs and sounds and the lyrics are deeper than before. I think this record really defines us now. We incorporated different influences on some songs that really expand this band’s horizons.

TDP: How would you define your sound – if you had to do a Hollywood-style ‘elevator pitch’ to an A&R guy right now, how would you sell yourselves in a few sentences?

Sébastien Lefebvre: I think we are a high energy rock band with a little bit more.

TDP: What do you feel is your biggest limitation as a band?

Sébastien Lefebvre: I actually don’t think we have any. We are at a point where we don’t limit ourselves. Well, there is one. We would love to be everywhere at once but we can’t.

TDP: What do feel is your best piece of work, from a personal perspective as opposed to critical acclaim or fan popularity?

Sébastien Lefebvre: I think this new record. I can’t wait for people to hear it and to see what they think when we play the songs live.

TDP: You’re on the road touring a lot – what’s the worst aspect of touring?

Sébastien Lefebvre: It’s the missing the people you love thing. I wish we could see our girlfriends and families more, but it’s all for a good cause.

TDP: What’s the best aspect of touring?

Sébastien Lefebvre: The fact that we get to travel the world. I love that I have seen so many things. It contributes to making me a better person. Also, seeing the kids every night. We love to play live and we love meeting the fans after the shows.

TDP: You’ve toured with many different bands and musicians, big and small – who were your favourites to hang out with?

Sébastien Lefebvre: I’m gonna have to say Sugar Ray because they we kind enough to take us on our first tour when we were unknown and showed us how to party.

TDP: What are the ingredients for the perfect Simple Plan gig?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Sold out, with a lot of people ready to have fun. We pretty much just have a big party on stage.

TDP: On the flipside, tell us about the worst show you ever played.

Sébastien Lefebvre: I remember this one show in Germany where there was only 12 people there… they did not even care that we were on stage. It sucked.

TDP: Do you have anything special planned for the tours in the new year?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Yeah! We will go back on tour and go everywhere we have ever been before and more. So keep checking our website.

TDP: How’s things going with the Simple Plan Foundation? What led to you setting it up?

Sébastien Lefebvre: It’s a long term project for us. We are still at the fundraising stage. We just got to a point in our home country where we were in a position to be able to do this, so we did. It’s our way to give back.

TDP: The band have been involved in a lot of charity work over the years – what motivates you to reach out beyond your music?

Sébastien Lefebvre: It’s the kids that come to our shows. We do it for them.

TDP: What role does music have to play in changing people’s ideas and perceptions of society?

Sébastien Lefebvre: We are a super socially engaged band with our music. But if we can make people forget about their problems by coming to a show and having fun, we did our part.

TDP: Do you see yourselves as role models? What efforts do you make to portray yourselves in a positive light?

Sébastien Lefebvre: I think the general idea is just to live your life the best you can. I guess that some kids look up to us and that’s pretty much the only thing we can do.

TDP: What motivated you into making music in the first place?

Sébastien Lefebvre: When I went to my first concerts, I just knew I had to get on stage at some point. There was so much energy in the room. I love performing. It’s one of the best things about what we do.

TDP: If you could go back in time and visit yourself as a teenager, before you started out on the road to where you are now, what’s the most important piece of advice you’d give yourself?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Bring a lot of underwear.

TDP: Finally, could you list a handful of bands that you couldn’t live without?

Sébastien Lefebvre: Metro Station, Radiohead, Bjork, Paramore, Kanye West, Hard Fi.

TDP: Thanks for your time, Sébastien, and best of luck with the new album.

Simple Plan are playing three shows in one day at a trio of Camden venues on 27th January 2008 - tickets go on sale Saturday 22nd of December, and are likely to sell out in a flash. Details are available on the Simple Plan website.

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