At least one Juno performer this year will be daydreaming about chasing pucks this weekend.
According to guitarist Jeff Stinco, Simple Plan’s drummer Chuck Comeau is obsessed with hockey.
The Montreal pop-punks’ South American tour will keep them from playing in Friday’s Juno Cup hockey game, although they will perform here on Sunday night during the awards ceremony. Last year they played with the Quebec Ramparts to raise money for charity, pulling in more than $100,000 — along with a few scars. Their song Generation plays when the Montreal Canadiens score, and they recorded a version of the Hockey Night in Canada theme last year.
“I think if (Comeau) had the choice of being a drummer or a hockey player, he’s more into hockey,” said Stinco.
“But … this year, hockey’s been a bit too much. Chuck got spot checked on the ice one day and cut himself, and had to get four stitches, so we were like, ‘OK, that’s it, no more hockey.’”
The band is looking forward to the Juno Awards ceremony, where it will be up for Album of the Year and Group of the Year.
Since their last Juno performance in 2005, they haven’t radically altered their sound: A polished burst of energy rooted in ’90s groups like Blink-182 and Green Day.
“We’re all pretty positive people. We like to have good tunes and a happy sound,” said Stinco.
