From the doors of Camden’s Electric Ballroom, a queue the length of the Mississippi snakes most of the way down the high street. Hundreds of teenagers huddle together, excitedly waiting to enter what on first impressions looks like a teen punk convention.

Girls with highly kohled eyes, teetering on stilettos and blokes with hair gelled and obligatory baggy pants, we play a game of ‘Where’s Wibley?’ from the window of a pub nearby.  It’s obvious these happy young things are distinct protégés of the likes of Sum 41 and Good Charlotte.

The atmosphere inside, once past the burly doormen, is that of high excitement. How the drinks flow (and how a group of teens got reprimanded for dropping a cup on the promoter’s head!)  With the lights fading, the crowd scream ("I want your babies, Sebaaaaaaastien!", squeals a Kelly Osbourne clone), ready to feed their voracious appetite with some more highly fuelled pop/punk numbers by this Canadian group.

Back in London after headlining their debut show two months before, Simple Plan rock the stage with their energetic tunes taken from their current album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls. Inspired by the crowd they launch straight into the first number, whilst leaping frantically and spinning around in circles, guitars/leads and all!  Amongst the fans there are a few dads trying to blend in with 13-year-olds sucking the faces off their pimply boyfriends – get a room!

It’s non-stop thumping all the way through, with Chuck, Pierre, Jeff, David and Seb (half of whom are sporting new, cropped hair-dos) giving their all and racing through amongst such infectious tunes as 'Addicted' and 'I'm Just A Kid'. It's good, clean pop-punk fun with hints of Sum41 and the like.  Interacting with the crowd and getting them to sing along makes it more enjoyable and it’s obvious they have a wide fan base here.

For the slower numbers, the absence of people with lighters inspires a more modern approach - mobile phones being flashed repeatedly!  This is short lived however as the faster paced numbers take over and the moshpit comes alive again.

Admittedly we did feel a bit old there, but Simple Plan are very likeable and can be listened to by anyone of any age. Was well worth it, even if we did get stuck behind a girl flashing her thong and transfer tattoos for all the world to see!
(4/5)

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Photos: Afsheen Shaikh