It was all very sad when Simple Plan cancelled their Hong Kong gig last August. Pierre Bouvier, frontman of the Canadian power-poppers, had sustained severe vocal cord damage apparently, and we imagined him wrapped in a blanket, warmed by a nice mug of honey and lemon tea while consoling himself in having to delay the band’s reunion with his hardcore Hong Kong fans. Similarly distraught were those Plan fans who had had the night of their lives three years ago, moshing away to the Montreal outfit and singing ‘I’m sorry I can’t be perfect’ when they headlined our city’s short lived festival Live ‘N Loud. For them, their patience is paying off: Bouvier and Co are returning to Hong Kong.

Since forming in 1999, these Canadians have been the perfect example of pop punk. Catchy hooks, woe-is-me lyrics, a pinch of punk rock (in other words, everything it takes to make a teen-punk hit song) and Bouvier’s instantly recognisable vocals have made them into a global pop-punk sensation. It’s a formula that’s brought them plenty of success – four multi-platinum albums, fat chart hits like Addicted, Perfect and Welcome to My Life, and hook-ups with Blink 182, Good Charlotte and more – so you can’t really blame them for sticking to it.

And that’s exactly what they’ve done again. Get Your Heart On!, released last year, is mainly reminiscent of their massive debut No Pads, No Helmets… Just Balls – although that’s not what the band think. In an interview, Bouvier noted that You Suck at Love represented the new direction of SP. Not all fans will love it – indeed, many may fail to spot a new direction. But we can probably anticipate what Simple Plan’s response would be – maybe something along the lines of ‘we’re sorry we can’t be perfect’. That’s ok, guys… that’s ok.

Cathy Chan 

Simple Plan play AsiaWorld Expo on Tuesday January 10. Tickets: 3128 8288; hkticketing.com

Photo: Chapman Baehler