Simple Plan have been around long enough to have watched an entire generation grow up with their music, now the band are watching that generation bring their own kids into the fold.
With Simple Plan announced for Good Things Festival 2026 alongside Limp Bizkit, Spiritbox, Polaris and a stacked lineup of punk, metal, alternative and rock acts, the band will return to Australia for three dates in December.
For drummer Chuck Comeau, the continued connection between Simple Plan and their audience is something that still manages to surprise him.
Speaking with us ahead of the band’s Australian return, Comeau reflected on the strange experience of fans who have known the band for more than two decades finally getting the chance to see them live.
“People like I’ve been listening to you guys for 22 years or 20 years, and I’ve never seen you live, and I can finally come.”
That new generation is also discovering Simple Plan in unexpected ways. ‘I’m Just A Kid’ became a viral phenomenon years after its original release, introducing the band’s music to a younger audience through social media.
For Comeau, seeing that happen has been one of the coolest developments of the band’s recent career.
“It’s been the coolest thing over the last few years to see the whole new generation getting into the music, into our band.”
Simple Plan ‘I’m Just A kid’ video
Scooby-Doo
That crossover between generations is also feeding into one of Simple Plan’s more unexpected pieces of musical history: their Scooby-Doo theme.
The band’s version of the classic theme has experienced a second life, with fans now turning up to shows in Scooby-Doo costumes and the band embracing the character as part of their live experience.
Comeau says the band are “leaning into the whole Scooby Doo thing”, and after years of the song sitting somewhat quietly in the band’s catalogue, the reaction has been unexpected.
“It’s kind of giving the song a whole new life.”
That revival has already included the real Scooby-Doo appearing on stage with the band during Vans Warped Tour, alongside the Mystery Machine being made available for fans and the band to use for content.
And there could be more on the way.
“I can’t tell you it’s a yes yet, but we’re definitely we’re leaning into the whole Scooby Doo thing.”
With a new Netflix series on the horizon, fans may not have to wait too long to discover whether Simple Plan’s Scooby-Doo connection gets another chapter.
The live show remains the heart
Beneath the costumes, viral moments and nostalgia, Comeau says the band’s live show remains the heart of everything Simple Plan do.
“It’s really like what we’re all about and the bread and butter of this band.”
That commitment has become particularly meaningful as the group continues to see fans wearing tattoos dedicated to their music, lyrics and the band itself.
According to Comeau, fans regularly ask the band members to write lyrics in their own handwriting so they can have the words permanently tattooed.
“Almost every day, we we have to write lyrics for people for them to get tattoos, which is kind of, I mean, mind blowing.”
For a band that formed in 1999, the idea that their songs are still becoming deeply personal to new listeners is something Comeau doesn’t take lightly.
The band’s Prime documentary, which chronicles their journey, gave Simple Plan an opportunity to turn the spotlight towards those fans and examine why the band has endured.
“We wanted to turn the camera to the reason why we’re still here, and the reason is the people.”
Three underrated tracks
Comeau also opened up about the songs he believes deserve more attention, naming three tracks that he considers underrated.
The first is ‘Crazy’, a song he once believed could become the band’s biggest hit. He also singled out ‘Where I Belong’ (below), their collaboration with State Champs and We The Kings, describing it as “one of the best pop punk song we ever written.”
Then there’s ‘Nothing Changes’, which featured in the band’s documentary and reflects on the strange contradiction of growing older while continuing to do exactly what they always dreamed of doing.
“We’re still doing what we love the most.”
That sentiment maybe sums up Simple Plan’s current chapter better than anything else, after 25 years, the band are still touring, still making music and still finding new listeners.
More importantly, Comeau says the friendships that formed when the members were teenagers have survived alongside the band.
“We come, we met when we were in seventh grade, and that’s a big difference.”
For Comeau, that connection extends to how Simple Plan approach their fans, he says the band has never forgotten what it feels like to be on the other side of the barricade.
“We never forget what it’s like to be a fan.”
What’s New Scooby Doo? Wall Of Death
That philosophy could make their Good Things appearance particularly special, when asked about the possibility of a wall of death during the band’s Scooby-Doo moment, Comeau didn’t rule it out.
“I’m gonna bring it to the band and and discuss it.”
Consider that challenge officially issued.
Good Things Festival 2026 Dates & Venues
- Friday, December 4th – Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse (16+)
- Saturday, December 5th – Sydney, Sydney Showground (16+)
- Sunday, December 6th – Brisbane, Brisbane Showgrounds (16+)
Good Things Festival 2026 pre-sale tickets go on sale Tuesday, August 18th at 10am AEST.
Pre-sale access via the official Good Things Festival website.
General public tickets go on sale Thursday, August 20th at 10am AEST via Oztix.
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