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Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Simple Plan didn't want to wait until they were ‘really old' to make a documentary
TORONTO - The problem with so many rock documentaries is they too often come out as the artist winds down their career — at least that's how pop-punk act Simple Plan see it. With their new career-spanning feature-length doc, which premiered this month on Prime Video, the Montreal pop-punk act says they didn't want to follow the pack and wait until the sunset of their lives to share the ups and downs. 'Sometimes bands ... wait until super late, until they're really old,' 45-year-old drummer Chuck Comeau explained in a recent video interview. 'Why not kick off a whole new chapter, look back on what we've accomplished, and use this to start the next part of the story?' Luckily, Simple Plan has plenty of fresh material to talk about. The band has recently been swept up by a resurgence in popularity for their early 2000s hits, thanks in part to TikTok clips that have introduced their pop-punk anthems 'I'm Just a Kid' and 'Perfect' to a new generation. The unexpected popularity has attracted bigger crowds than ever to their shows, just as the group passes their 25th anniversary. 'Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd,' from music video director Didier Charette of Hawkesbury, Ont., a town on the border of Ontario and Quebec, skirts much of the ugliness and complications of mainstream fame to focus on the band's rise and enduring appeal. Members recall the odds they overcame as French-Canadian suburbanites seeking stardom in the English music market without much of a blueprint to work from. 'There was nobody coming from Montreal, speaking French, that had done it,' Comeau said. 'The only reference point, I guess, was Celine Dion.' Charette's documentary feature debut relies heavily on archival footage in recounting the earliest days of Simple Plan's precursor band, Reset. They formed in the mid-1990s as a group of high schoolers that included Comeau and Simple Plan lead vocalist Pierre Bouvier. While that band found some success, Comeau and Bouvier left amid personal squabbles. The two made amends and joined forces with local musicians Jeff Stinco and Sébastien Lefebvre to form Simple Plan in 1999. They pursued a major label record deal, eventually landed one, and then jumped the typical hurdles of the music industry. Some critics derided the band as too soft for modern rock, often comparing them to their brattier Canadian counterparts Sum 41. One music magazine stung them with the most backhanded of praise, labelling them 'good guys, bad band.' Meanwhile, some audiences openly displayed their disdain, with festival concertgoers actually whipping water bottles at the band during their live sets. To Simple Plan, these experiences were obstacles to overcome. 'The process of going through this old footage ... was really a nice way to ... give ourselves a pat on the back and say, 'Hey, we're doing pretty good,'' Bouvier said. 'We don't do that enough,' Comeau agreed. Bouvier concedes those early negative incidents might've left the band with emotional battle scars and a drive to prove their worth. 'We had a chip on our shoulder,' he said. 'And a way for us to overcome those haters, so to speak, (was to say) we're going to give the best show ever and ... there's no way you're going to walk away saying that that wasn't a great show.' Avril Lavigne, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 are among the band's contemporaries who come to their defence in new interviews. Other significant moments in Simple Plan's history are downplayed by the film, in particular, the departure of the longtime bassist David Desrosiers following allegations of sexual misconduct involving one of the band's fans. In 2020, Desrosiers left the band following accusations from an anonymous person on social media that alleged he made inappropriate 'jokes' with her when she was a minor and that they had consensual sex after she came of age. She also alleged he invited others for group sex without asking her, and threatened and demeaned her. At the time, Desrosiers acknowledged that 'some of the interactions I have had with women have caused them harm' and he pledged to seek professional help. The documentary spends little time on the allegations. While Desrosiers appears in archival footage, he is not interviewed in present day. Even the current band members only discuss the incident in the vaguest of ways, offering very little insight into how suddenly losing one of their members affected them as a unit. Comeau described Desrosiers' exit as 'one of the most challenging moments in our career.' 'It comes with a lot of pain,' he said. 'He was very important to the band. He had a huge contribution musically and personally … and we wanted to make sure the movie would reflect that.' While the band hasn't 'had tons of interactions' with Desrosiers since he left, Comeau said they consulted him during production and showed him a cut of the documentary. 'We felt like we couldn't avoid David because he was a big part of the story,' he added. 'He wasn't interviewed, but we really wanted his contribution to be shown.' Comeau said Simple Plan wanted to make clear in the documentary that their priority was 'to regain the trust of our fans and make sure that we could move forward as a band.' 'Now it's the four of us, and it's been five years,' he added. 'I think we feel like there's another 25 years in us.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Simple Plan didn't want to wait until they were ‘really old' to make a documentary
TORONTO – The problem with so many rock documentaries is they too often come out as the artist winds down their career — at least that's how pop-punk act Simple Plan see it. With their new career-spanning feature-length doc, which premiered this month on Prime Video, the Montreal pop-punk act says they didn't want to follow the pack and wait until the sunset of their lives to share the ups and downs. 'Sometimes bands … wait until super late, until they're really old,' 45-year-old drummer Chuck Comeau explained in a recent video interview. 'Why not kick off a whole new chapter, look back on what we've accomplished, and use this to start the next part of the story?' Luckily, Simple Plan has plenty of fresh material to talk about. The band has recently been swept up by a resurgence in popularity for their early 2000s hits, thanks in part to TikTok clips that have introduced their pop-punk anthems 'I'm Just a Kid' and 'Perfect' to a new generation. The unexpected popularity has attracted bigger crowds than ever to their shows, just as the group passes their 25th anniversary. 'Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd,' from music video director Didier Charette of Hawkesbury, Ont., a town on the border of Ontario and Quebec, skirts much of the ugliness and complications of mainstream fame to focus on the band's rise and enduring appeal. Members recall the odds they overcame as French-Canadian suburbanites seeking stardom in the English music market without much of a blueprint to work from. 'There was nobody coming from Montreal, speaking French, that had done it,' Comeau said. 'The only reference point, I guess, was Celine Dion.' Charette's documentary feature debut relies heavily on archival footage in recounting the earliest days of Simple Plan's precursor band, Reset. They formed in the mid-1990s as a group of high schoolers that included Comeau and Simple Plan lead vocalist Pierre Bouvier. While that band found some success, Comeau and Bouvier left amid personal squabbles. The two made amends and joined forces with local musicians Jeff Stinco and Sébastien Lefebvre to form Simple Plan in 1999. They pursued a major label record deal, eventually landed one, and then jumped the typical hurdles of the music industry. Some critics derided the band as too soft for modern rock, often comparing them to their brattier Canadian counterparts Sum 41. One music magazine stung them with the most backhanded of praise, labelling them 'good guys, bad band.' Meanwhile, some audiences openly displayed their disdain, with festival concertgoers actually whipping water bottles at the band during their live sets. To Simple Plan, these experiences were obstacles to overcome. 'The process of going through this old footage … was really a nice way to … give ourselves a pat on the back and say, 'Hey, we're doing pretty good,'' Bouvier said. 'We don't do that enough,' Comeau agreed. Bouvier concedes those early negative incidents might've left the band with emotional battle scars and a drive to prove their worth. 'We had a chip on our shoulder,' he said. 'And a way for us to overcome those haters, so to speak, (was to say) we're going to give the best show ever and … there's no way you're going to walk away saying that that wasn't a great show.' Avril Lavigne, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 are among the band's contemporaries who come to their defence in new interviews. Other significant moments in Simple Plan's history are downplayed by the film, in particular, the departure of the longtime bassist David Desrosiers following allegations of sexual misconduct involving one of the band's fans. In 2020, Desrosiers left the band following accusations from an anonymous person on social media that alleged he made inappropriate 'jokes' with her when she was a minor and that they had consensual sex after she came of age. She also alleged he invited others for group sex without asking her, and threatened and demeaned her. At the time, Desrosiers acknowledged that 'some of the interactions I have had with women have caused them harm' and he pledged to seek professional help. The documentary spends little time on the allegations. While Desrosiers appears in archival footage, he is not interviewed in present day. Even the current band members only discuss the incident in the vaguest of ways, offering very little insight into how suddenly losing one of their members affected them as a unit. Comeau described Desrosiers' exit as 'one of the most challenging moments in our career.' 'It comes with a lot of pain,' he said. 'He was very important to the band. He had a huge contribution musically and personally … and we wanted to make sure the movie would reflect that.' While the band hasn't 'had tons of interactions' with Desrosiers since he left, Comeau said they consulted him during production and showed him a cut of the documentary. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. 'We felt like we couldn't avoid David because he was a big part of the story,' he added. 'He wasn't interviewed, but we really wanted his contribution to be shown.' Comeau said Simple Plan wanted to make clear in the documentary that their priority was 'to regain the trust of our fans and make sure that we could move forward as a band.' 'Now it's the four of us, and it's been five years,' he added. 'I think we feel like there's another 25 years in us.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can an employee contribute to an FSA while on an unpaid leave of absence? Ask HR.
Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader's Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.' Have a question? Submit it here. Question: I'm considering taking an unpaid leave via the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). During my hiatus, can I continue contributing to my FSA (Flexible Spending Account) even if my employer isn't paying me? – Nisha Answer: Taking unpaid leave via the Family and Medical Leave Act is a significant decision prioritizing your health and family needs. It's commendable that you're considering how this will impact your Flexible Spending Account, as it demonstrates foresight and prudence. Here's how you can manage and potentially continue contributing to your FSA during your leave. Under the provisions of the FMLA, you retain the right to maintain your contributions to your dependent care FSA while on leave. The IRS guidelines offer a few options to manage these contributions: Prepayment: Before starting your FMLA leave, you might choose to prepay the contributions that would be due during your absence. This strategy enables you to continue benefiting from your FSA seamlessly, maintaining your financial stability and planning flexibility. Continued payroll deductions: If part of your FMLA leave is paid, you can continue to make regular payroll deductions. This is perhaps the simplest method, as it requires no additional action beyond ensuring your HR department has everything set up correctly. Direct contributions: During unpaid leave, you can arrange to make FSA contributions directly through your employer, following the same schedule as your regular payroll deductions. Advanced payments and catch-up contributions: Some employers allow you to take an advance on your FSA contributions, with the understanding that you'll make catch-up contributions once you return to work. This requires careful financial planning, but it ensures your FSA benefits remain uninterrupted. Additionally, you have the flexibility to adjust your FSA election under a cafeteria plan if your circumstances change, similar to those taking non-FMLA leave. Should it become necessary to cease your contributions temporarily, you would be permitted to reenroll upon your return. This extensive list of options ensures your absence doesn't hinder your ability to accrue and use your FSA benefits, reflecting a broader understanding of how adaptable life situations and financial planning must be. It's crucial to consult with your HR department to understand specifically how these options are implemented within your organization. Each employer may have different procedures based on their plan guidelines. Remember, the FMLA and IRS guidelines were designed with your well-being in mind, supporting you during times when work needs to take a backseat to personal health and family responsibilities. Consider this a proactive step in maintaining your overall life balance and ensuring financial wellness during your leave. I work in our product development group, and our account management team has recently approached me about transitioning to an account executive role. Working as a design specialist for almost a decade, I have a deep understanding of our client's business. I also have expert knowledge of our deliverables and capabilities as a vendor. What should I consider when exploring a significant career shift like this? Should I be concerned that I'll lose expertise? ‒ Lori Embarking on a career shift is an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons and add new dimensions to your professional portfolio. As someone with a solid background in product development and design, transitioning into an account executive role could be a natural progression that leverages your existing expertise while allowing you to develop new skills. First and foremost, it's important to recognize that your experience as a design specialist provides a strong foundation for your new role as an account executive. Your deep understanding of client businesses and thorough knowledge of deliverables and capabilities put you in a unique position to seamlessly bridge the gap between design and account management. Rather than seeing this transition as leaving your expertise behind, view it as expanding your toolkit. You'll be enhancing your ability to communicate the value of your company's products and services from a more strategic and business-oriented perspective. In considering this transition, evaluate how the skills you've acquired in product development can be applied to account management. As an account executive, you'll be responsible for building and maintaining strong client relationships, understanding their needs, and providing solutions that align with their business objectives. Your background equips you well for this, as you likely already possess strong communication skills, the ability to empathize with clients, and an in-depth understanding of how your products meet their needs. Further, consider how the account executive role can enrich your career. It can provide you with a broader perspective of the business landscape and offer insights into strategic decision-making, negotiation, and leadership. Developing these skills can position you for future roles requiring a mix of technical prowess and business acumen, thereby expanding your career trajectory and potential opportunities. While it's natural to worry about losing touch with your design expertise, keep in mind that skills are not just retained but can be adapted and applied in new ways. Stay engaged with your design passion through side projects, professional development, or cross-functional tasks, ensuring your skills remain sharp and relevant. This dual expertise not only enhances your current role but also increases your value to any organization. Moreover, as an account executive, you'll have a platform to influence the direction of product offerings based on client feedback, thereby indirectly shaping design and development processes. Your intimate knowledge of design nuances can be a critical asset in delivering tailored client solutions and driving innovation. Ultimately, approaching this career shift as a chance to diversify your skill set and explore new avenues of professional growth can be incredibly rewarding. Embrace the challenge and use your existing strengths while being open to learning and adapting. The account executive role can be a complementary addition to your career, enriching your professional life and opening doors to new opportunities while leveraging the skills and expertise you've cultivated over the years. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can an employee contribute to an FSA while on unpaid leave of absence?
Edinburgh Reporter
29-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Reset supporting refugees in Edinburgh
A warm welcome, the Scottish way – powered by people like us. In a quiet corner of Fountainbridge, one Edinburgh family is thriving — going to school, making friends, playing football in the park. Just a few years ago, they arrived in the UK through the Community Sponsorship scheme, a national programme that empowers local people to take the lead in resettling refugees. Now, the grassroots group that welcomed them, Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle, is breaking new ground again. Faced with the news that the family's rented flat was being sold, the group decided not to let instability undo years of community-building. Instead, they've launched a radical new housing project — purchasing the property themselves through a community-led trust, ensuring the family can stay rooted in the neighbourhood they now call home. 'We knew what losing that flat would mean for the family — and we were really motivated to create an alternative path, not just for them, but hopefully for others too,' says Fae, one of ERSC's founding volunteers. Community Sponsorship is a UK-wide scheme that enables everyday people — faith groups, book clubs, neighbours, colleagues — to come together and welcome a refugee family to their area. With support from Reset the UK's national charity for Community Sponsorship, groups like ERSC receive training, guidance and peer support to walk alongside families as they rebuild their lives. ERSC's model is particularly inspiring because it shows what's possible when ordinary people take bold, practical steps — even in the middle of a housing emergency. They remain entirely volunteer-run, powered by shared values and a belief that welcome should last longer than a warm hello at the airport. Now they're inviting others to get involved. Whether you want to join or form a sponsorship group, contribute to their housing trust, or simply learn more, ERSC is showing Edinburgh what solidarity looks like in action. Because welcome isn't abstract. It's about homes, schools, neighbours — and people like you. ➡ Learn more or support the project: ➡ Interested in Community Sponsorship? We've just launched a new online introduction – find out more ADVERTORIAL FEATURE Like this: Like Related
Daily Express
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Government mulls basic insurance scheme as medical costs rise
Published on: Thursday, June 26, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 26, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan acknowledged the growing concern among the public about rising medical costs. Kuala Lumpur: The government is considering introducing a basic insurance scheme to help reduce the impact of rising medical costs, says finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said a joint committee had been established involving the finance ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the health ministry, and several related agencies. 'Among our efforts is the Reset programme to explore how we can create a basic insurance scheme for Malaysians,' he said after launching a RM211 million SME Bank initiative to support the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises. 'The proposal is at the discussion stage to ensure that its implementation is beneficial and will not burden any party.' The minister said those involved in developing the scheme included insurance and takaful operators and financial sector representatives. 'Once we are ready, we will announce the implementation model. We are also open to suggestions, including models like the Social Security Organisation. The priority is to develop a product that truly meets the needs of Malaysians,' he said. He was responding to questions on the government's proposal to allow withdrawals from EPF Account 2 to pay health insurance premiums.
