Simple Plan are cooking up a recipe for success this Christmas.

With a summer of touring behind them and a high-profile show with Sum 41 set for December, their hard work may finally be paying off. A catchy pop-punk band, Simple Plan's members include Pierre Bouvier (vocals), Jeff Stinco (lead guitar), Seb Lefebvre (guitar/backing vocals), David Desrosiers (bass/backing vocals) and Chuck Comeau (drums).

The band formed three years ago in Montreal although each member has been involved with other bands for five years before that. Since then, the guys have toured with other bands like Ten Foot Pole, MxPx and Blink-182. Right now they're in Toronto recording their first full-length album with Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven) that will be distributed in Canada by Warner Music.

Simple Plan say their wide range of influences - from surf-punk to metal - are what drives their sound.

"There are five different opinions in the band when we write," says Desrosiers.

"That's what makes what we do special," Comeau adds.

The band is now putting the final mixes on a new 12-song album that's expected in early 2002. They also recorded one song for the MTV/Total Request Live Christmas compilation that came out November 20. The song, called "My Christmas List" is about all the good gifts people get for Christmas. In the song, Desrosiers sings of "A lifetime supply of Skittles and slurpies and Eskimo pies."

"With the lame gifts you can't say anything," says Comeau.

No doubt they'll be getting some of those pies as gifts considering they've had a great reception in Toronto in the past. "The crowd has so much enthusiasm for a young band," Comeau says.

Of course, it helps that this summer the band played the Warped Tour, Edgefest II and Molson Canadian Snow Jam dates. Even though hardly anyone knew them, the shows gave the band an appreciated boost.

You can catch Simple Plan at the Edge Electric Christmas show with Sum 41 on Dec. 15 at the Kool Haus in Toronto. For more info visit the band's website .

-James Rose