Atlantic recording group Simple Plan have unveiled details of their long awaited, new release. “TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM” – the multi-platinum band’s fifth studio full length and first new album in five years – will be available on February 19. Pre-order information will be announced shortly. Tickets for an extensive European tour go on sale this Friday, December 4.
From Simple Plan: “We are really excited to announce the first tour in support of our new album “Taking One For The Team, coming out on February 19th! These European shows will be the first of many international tours that we’ll be announcing. We can’t wait for our fans to hear the new album and to be back on the road.”
“TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM” is preceded by a trio of new songs, all featured on the forthcoming release. “Boom,” “I Don’t Want To Be Sad,” and the album’s lead single “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed (feat. Nelly)” are currently available at all DSPs. “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed (feat. Nelly)” is proving to be another multi-format hit for the Canadian pop-rockers. The companion video for “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed (feat. Nelly)” was inspired by the popular 90’s TV series “Baywatch” and is highlighted by cameo from the show’s star David Hasselhoff.
“TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM” marks Simple Plan’s first new full length album since 2011’s internationally successful “GET YOUR HEART ON!” Produced by Brian Howes, that album found the ever-inventive combo joined by an array of like-minded artists, including All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, and UK songstress Natasha Bedingfield. “Jet Lag,” the collection’s lead single, was an immediate worldwide smash, earning chart success and commercial milestones including 2x platinum certification in Canada.
“Summer Paradise” – the album’s next single, released in two distinct versions featuring Somali/Canadian rapper K’Naan and GRAMMY® Award-winning dancehall superstar Sean Paul – proved even more successful, ascending to the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, and Venezuela and earning gold, platinum, and multi-platinum sales in Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
“GET YOUR HEART ON!” also drew critical applause from all corners. People awarded the album three-out-of-four stars, noting that the band “explore new ground…yet remain edgy.” Entertainment Weekly commended Simple Plan for “augmenting their fidgety guitar assault with suburban reggae and club-friendly drum machines,” further hailing “Jet Lag” as “a loud and surprisingly lovely pop-punk pounder.” “The group sound recharged,” declared Alternative Press in its three-and-a-half starred lead review, praising the collection’s “buoyant energy” and “airtight power-pop hook(s).”
Simple Plan has earned widespread acclaim and a global fan following for their genre-defying blend of classic punk energy and modern pop sonics. Since coming together in 1999, the Montreal-based combo has achieved worldwide sales in excess of 7 million, with releases including 2002’s RIAA 2x-platinum debut, “NO PADS, NO HELMETS…JUST BALLS,” 2004’s platinum-certified follow-up, “STILL NOT GETTING ANY,” and 2005’s “MTV HARD ROCK LIVE.” 2008’s “SIMPLE PLAN” proved an international blockbuster upon its release, reaching the #1 spot on the iTunes Store’s “Top Pop Albums” chart while also scoring top 3 successes in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and the band’s native Canada. Furthermore, the album premiered in the top 10 in such far-away lands as Hong Kong, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, and Germany, with top 20 debuts in Spain, Finland, and France.
In addition to their studio forays and frequent touring, Simple Plan has long been involved in philanthropic efforts spearheaded by their own Simple Plan Foundation. Created in 2005, the Simple Plan Foundation supports a variety of social and medical organizations dedicated to helping young people in need. The Simple Plan Foundation has raised over 1.5 million dollars in donations to date.
