# The Simple Plan

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For the Canadian rock band of a similar name, see [Simple Plan](/source/Simple_Plan), [other uses](/source/Other_uses), [Simple Plan (disambiguation)](/source/Simple_Plan_(disambiguation)).

***The Simple Plan*** is an [EP](/source/Extended_play) released independently in 2022 by August Is Falling, a [pop-punk](/source/Pop-punk)/[emo](/source/Emo) music project led by American singer-guitarist [Pat Finnerty](/source/Pat_Finnerty). All of the EP's tracks were written by Finnerty, who played guitar and sang lead vocals on the recording. Music producer [Butch Walker](/source/Butch_Walker) mixed the EP's single, "August Is Falling". The EP also features appearances from [Eric Slick](/source/Eric_Slick) and Toby Leaman of [Dr. Dog](/source/Dr._Dog) and from Kim Whitehill.

## Development and release

In mid 2022, [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia)-based musician and YouTube personality [Pat Finnerty](/source/Pat_Finnerty) founded August Is Falling, a [pop-punk](/source/Pop-punk), [emo](/source/Emo)-style music project.[1][2][3][4] Finnerty wrote[5][6] the songs, played guitars and sang vocals on the band's *The Simple Plan* [EP](/source/Extended_play) that was released independently on September 2, 2022.[7] The EP featured Toby Leaman, Kim, and Butch Walker on tracks,[5] as well as an appearance by [Eric Slick](/source/Eric_Slick) on drums.[8] Musical artist Harsh Symmetry appeared on the EP's cover.[2][9] The EP's fifth song track, "August Is Falling", was mixed by acclaimed music producer [Butch Walker](/source/Butch_Walker) and released as a single.[6] A [lyrics video](/source/Lyrics_video) of the same track was produced by J. Gonzo.[1][2][10]

According to Finnerty, the title of the EP spoofs Canadian pop punk band [Simple Plan](/source/Simple_Plan).[11] Lyrics of the songs on the EP take aim at the popular music industry, [internet culture](/source/Internet_culture), and the state of the emo movement.[7][12] The EP both lampoons and pays homage to emo/pop-punk bands.[13]

The EP's independent release was backed by a grassroots movement to promote it on YouTube.[10][14] The single, "August is Falling", garnered 140,000 views on YouTube in its first week after release with August is Falling trending as the Number 1 punk band on [BandCamp](/source/Bandcamp)[15], and the EP was featured on Spotify's new pop punk playlist at the time.[11]

## Critical reception

The band and EP received praise from [The Darkness](/source/The_Darkness_(band)) front man [Justin Hawkins](/source/Justin_Hawkins) after its release.[16] The website *Craig's Music Review* rated the EP 8 out of 10.[17]

Music critic Mark Rowland of *Penny Black Music* said the EP "sounds like it’s dumbing itself down somewhat to meet the expectations of the genre – to the point of parody in places – but at the same time, the songs are genuinely well constructed and catchy".[18]

Music commentator Allan Raible of [ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(United_States)) ranked the EP #45 on his list of the top 50 albums of 2022.[13] Raible said about *The Simple Plan* EP on the *[Good Morning America](/source/Good_Morning_America)* website, "Weirdly, it is supposed to be a joke, but Finnerty is a great musician and songwriter, creating five songs that both lampoon the genre and pay fitting, pitch-perfect, wonderfully immature homage to bands like [Blink-182](/source/Blink-182). Armed with skill and heart, this EP is infinitely more than a sarcastic footnote."[13]

The video debut of August is Falling and *The Simple Plan* was named best on YouTube for the MidRange Awards 2022.[12]

## Personnel

**Musicians**

- [Pat Finnerty](/source/Pat_Finnerty) – lead vocals, guitars (all tracks); bass (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5), drums (tracks 1, 4)
- Pat Berkery – drums (track 2)
- [Toby Leaman](/source/Toby_Leaman) – bass guitar, vocals (track 3)
- Travis Harrison – drums (track 3)
- Balzman – background vocals (track 3)
- [Zach Miller](/source/Zach_Miller_(musician)) – keyboards (track 4)
- Kim – vocals (track 4)
- [Eric Slick](/source/Eric_Slick) – drums (track 5)

**Technical**

- Pat Finnerty – [production](/source/Record_producer) (tracks 1–4), [engineering](/source/Audio_engineer) (all tracks), [mixing](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) (tracks 1, 4)
- [Butch Walker](/source/Butch_Walker) – production, mixing (track 5)
- Travis Harrison – [mastering](/source/Mastering_(audio)) (all tracks), mixing (track 3)
- Tim "BigTimmy11" Phillips – mixing (track 2)

## See also

- "[Emo Girl](/source/Emo_Girl)", a 2022 song by Machine Gun Kelly

## References

1. Belghast (2022-08-05). ["Pat Finnerty Rocks"](https://aggronaut.com/2022/08/05/pat-finnerty-rocks/). *Tales of the Aggronaut*. Retrieved 2022-09-11.

1. ["What Makes This Song Stink "Emo Girl" BIG UPDATE"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w41S3d6f-FY). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-08-30.

1. Janci, Janelle (2022-08-28). ["Meet Pat Finnerty, the YouTuber who explains why some songs just stink"](https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/meet-pat-finnerty-the-youtuber-who-explains-why-some-songs-just-stink-unscripted/article_7411aac0-23f7-11ed-81a3-3fe67750e2f7.html). *[Lancaster Online](/source/Lancaster_Online)*. Retrieved 2022-09-06.

1. ["Scranton musician Pat Finnerty got Dave Grohl to sing and chat with him on Instagram"](https://nepascene.com/2020/08/scranton-musician-pat-finnerty-got-dave-grohl-sing-chat-instagram/). *NEPA Scene*. 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2022-09-06.

1. ["August is Falling"](https://genius.com/August-is-falling-mad-this-summer-lyrics). *Genius.com*. Retrieved 2022-09-07.

1. Harrison, Travis. ["August is Falling"](https://www.seriousbusinessmusic.com/projects/august-is-falling-btgg-drumsmix). *seriousbusinessmusic.com*. Retrieved 2022-09-25.

1. ["August is Falling - The Simple Plan EP"](https://exitmusik.fr/august-is-falling-the-simple-plan-ep/) (in fr-FR). *EXITMUSIK*. 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2022-09-12.

1. Slick, Eric (2022-08-31). ["the secrets out. i played drums on the new AUGUST IS FALLING."](https://twitter.com/ericslickmusic/status/1565021583093239810). *[Twitter](/source/Twitter)*. Retrieved 2022-09-12.

1. Teeple, Alice (2022-02-01). ["Darkwave Artist Harsh Symmetry Unveils Haunting Debut Single "Mirror Twin""](https://post-punk.com/darkwave-artist-harsh-symmetry-faces-dualities-in-haunting-debut-single-mirror-twin/). *Post-Punk.com*. Retrieved 2022-09-20.

1. ["Mysterious Pop-Punk Band August Is Falling Releases Self-titled Single, Announces Debut EP"](https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mysterious_pop-punk_band_august_is_falling_releases_self-titled_single_announces_debut_ep.html). *[Ultimate Guitar](/source/Ultimate_Guitar)*. Retrieved 2022-09-06.

1. Ufberg, Max (2022-11-22). ["Meet the YouTuber who struck it big by breaking down the songs he hates"](https://www.fastcompany.com/90814928/meet-the-youtuber-who-struck-it-big-by-breaking-down-the-songs-he-hates). *[Fast Company](/source/Fast_Company)*. Retrieved 2022-11-28.

1. Smith, Ernie (December 26, 2022). ["MidRange Awards 2022: The YouTuber With a Simple Plan"](https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/pat-finnerty-august-is-falling-what-makes-this-song-stink/). *Midrange.co*. Retrieved September 28, 2023.

1. Raible, Allan (2022-12-28). ["Review: 50 best albums of 2022"](https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/review-50-best-albums-2022-95172844). *[Good Morning America](/source/Good_Morning_America)*. Retrieved 2023-01-01.

1. ["August is Falling – the simple plan EP (Review)"](https://craigreviewsmusic.com/2022/09/04/august-is-falling-the-simple-plan-ep-review/). *Craig Reviews Music*. 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2022-09-25.

1. Grassick, Mark (2022-09-05). ["August Is Falling: Meet the internet's hottest new emo band"](https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/music/august-is-falling-news-54790/). *Ticketmaster UK*. Retrieved 2022-09-06.

1. Hawkins, Justin (2022-09-10). ["Are They The Next Big Thing?!"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRNN3V3PVDs). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. Retrieved 2022-09-25.

1. ["August is Falling – the simple plan EP (Review)"](https://craigreviewsmusic.com/2022/09/04/august-is-falling-the-simple-plan-ep-review/). *Craig's Music Review*. 2022-09-04. Retrieved 2023-01-01.

1. Rowland, Mark (2022-10-05). ["Is Pop Punk Good Now? - Bandcamp Explorer"](http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details?id=27370). *Penny Black Music*. Retrieved 2022-10-23.

## External links

- [August Is Falling](https://www.augustisfalling.com/)
- BandCamp: *[The Simple Plan](https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/)*
- [Butch Walker](https://www.butchwalker.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Simple Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simple_Plan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simple_Plan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.