For a time in the early ’00s, it seemed like pop-punk bands were the new boy bands. Bands like Blink-182, Good Charlotte and Simple Plan were all over MTV’s TRL, inspiring just as many screaming fans as the heartthrobs in the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Canadian band Simple Plan scored its biggest hits during that period, including “Addicted,” “Welcome to My Life,” “When I’m Gone” and “Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?)” The band’s combination of crunchy guitars, catchy hooks and snarky attitude appealed to teen-pop fans and suburban rebels alike, and Simple Plan became regular fixtures on the punk-oriented Warped Tour in addition to TRL.
Although TRL is no more, Simple Plan continued to tour with Warped on and off through 2018 (the festival’s final year), and while the band members may no longer be on the covers of teen magazines, they still have a strong fan base, especially in their home country. Simple Plan kicked off its current tour with fellow pop-punk bands State Champs and We the Kings by releasing the collaborative single “Where I Belong,” featuring all three bands, and Simple Plan’s members have been working steadily on a new album. All those fans still have plenty to scream about.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20, starting at $33.50 plus tax and fee. 702.632.7600
