While going through my SimplePlan.cz files recently, I discovered I still have a folder that includes all the information from the “Press archive” section that used to be briefly located on SimplePlan.cz [unfortunately due to my laziness its very time-consuming nature, I just wasn’t capable of updating it with every single article ever, so I decided to “inconspicuously” get rid of it]. Besides a number of articles I used to store there, I also kept something else in there, which I’m now incredibly grateful for, as you won’t find these anywhere on the internet at this point: old MySpace blogs.
Now, I do believe there’s a lot of you out there, of younger generation than mine, that may not exactly know what MySpace was. Back in the day – in the early 2000s, MySpace used to be one of the first global online social networks (before Facebook became “cool”), which primarily served as a social network that allowed musicians to show their music to the world and get discovered by new fans. At the same time, music fans used the website to connect with artists they enjoyed and also with other fans.
Simple Plan joined MySpace around 2006 with each of the band members having their own profile, as well as the band itself. Similarly to Instagram these days, some members used it more than others (*cough* David *cough*). Besides posting pictures, sending out bulletins and sometimes reading and replying to fans’ comments and messages on the network, with time, some of the band members also started blogging, which came around the same time as the band started vlogging for the first time (in fact, Simple Plan believe they coined the term “vlog” in this video). This was the first time fans could read up on the band’s adventures from their own words, as opposed to short posts on the official website, which was ran by Patrick Langlois at that point.
During my search through the old blogs, I found what was Chuck’s very first MySpace blog, which was coincidentally posted exactly 10 years ago today – on September 19th, 2006. And while Chuck was definitely not the first in the band to join MySpace, let alone the first to blog, because this is such a nice round anniversary and since it was Chuck’s birthday just 2 days ago, I decided to post this very big throwback here for you all to read up on (again). You’ll see that besides Chuck’s age, not much else has really changed in those 10 years. Enjoy:
Chuck’s first blog
Yo! What’s up everybody? Hope all is well.
Ok…I’ll admit it…we suck. We really suck! We promised updates on what’s going on with the band while we are writing the new record. And we totally flaked out…The last blog we wrote was on March 3rd 2006. So yeah…that’s kind of embarrassing. So on behalf of Seb, Pierre, David, Jeff and myself, I’d like to say sorry. And starting today, we’re gonna start to blog like hardcore Microsoft nerds. We’re gonna become the Perez Hilton of band blogs. Well, not sure if we can blog that much but we sure can’t do worst than what we’ve been doing. So come back here a lot and check it out.
So Sunday was my birthday! 27 years ago, on September 17th, 1979 at 9:59am, I was born in Montreal. I can’t believe I’m 27 already. I still feel like I’m 19 you know? It’s weird….I remember thinking how 27 sounded so far away when I was 16 or 17. But you know what…every year that goes by brings the most amazing things to me. I just keep feeling better about my life and myself, so I’m not worried and kind of stoked about the upcoming year. I really feel we’re gonna have an amazing time.
My birthday was rad. Pierre, Seb, Pat, Jeff and a bunch of our friends from Montreal went out for a great dinner on Saturday night. Great Italian place…We had tons of fun. Nothing beats having a nice dinner with all your best friends. We went out afterwards, but it kind of sucked….so yeah. Nothing crazy. No insane party, but still great.
The next day, I played hockey. I LOVE hockey! It’s my passion. I live for it. I play like 3 times a week and I can’t get enough of it. So much fun and a killer workout!! Anyways, I played 2 games back to back on Sunday….scored a hat trick in the first game….that’s 3 goals in one game and it’s kind of hot btw….pretty hard to do but you know. I’m not gonna lie to you, I’m pretty pretty good…(if you guys watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, go back and read the last sentence thinking about Larry David. Pretty Pretty funny!) Anyways, it was so much fun, had a nice family dinner afterwards. Good times. I got a bunch of calls and IMs from old friends. I usually don’t really like birthdays cause I always feel bad when people go out of their way to do nice stuff for you. It just makes me feel uncomfortable you know? But it was cool to hear from all those people.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you guys for leaving me Happy Birthday wishes on here and on simpleplanonline.com. It made my day. It’s pretty cool to know people from all over the world took the time to do this. Thanks!
So anyways, I know some of you have been wondering what we’ve been up to over the last few months. Well…aside from playing hockey, we’ve been writing new songs every single day since we stopped touring. Writing a record is not the easiest thing in the world and we’re working our asses off to make sure we bring you an album that we will be proud of and that hopefully you will love. It was hard at first because we had to try to figure out what we wanted to say and where we wanted to go with the music. But we’re finally getting into a groove right now and it’s starting to really come together. I’m really excited about the new music. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. Please be patient….it’s coming.
As I’m writing this I’m listening to the new Plain White T’s record. It’s awesome! Go get it. Those guys rule and I wish them all the success in the world. We toured with them many times and they are the nicest guys ever. They made another great record so congrats boys! Now the new Rise Against just came on and that’s sick too. I know that Seb and Pat have been hyping it in the Man of the Hour Hour on Idobi Radio. I agree with them….it’s amazing. And talking about great stuff, how about the MOTH radio show? Come on! I love it. Even if I heard a thousand variations of all the stupid jokes they tell, I still laugh. They are nerds and I love it. I’m a nerd too so I can relate. Anyways, the show is doing so well, I’m stoked for them and a little jealous, lol. Maybe Pierre and I will start our own radio show. And start a full-on ratings war! You’ll have to wait and see.
Anyways, gonna go listen to some more music. Talk to you guys in a few.
Take care.
Chuck