Sébastien Lefebvre
Sébastien Lefebvre (born June 5, 1981) is a Canadian musician, producer, and radio host, best known as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the pop punk band Simple Plan.[1][2][3] Formed in 1999 in Montreal, Quebec, where Lefebvre was born, Simple Plan achieved international success in the early 2000s with their debut album No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls, which has sold over four million copies worldwide and featured hit singles such as "I'd Do Anything," "Addicted," "Perfect," and "I'm Just a Kid."[4][5] Lefebvre has contributed to the band's songwriting and energetic live performances, helping establish a dedicated global fanbase through multiple albums, tours—including ongoing worldwide tours as of 2025—and philanthropic efforts via the Simple Plan Foundation.[2][3][6] Beyond Simple Plan, Lefebvre released his debut solo album, You Are Here/Vous Etes Ici, in 2009, showcasing his bilingual songwriting in English and French.[1] He has also pursued acting roles in films including The Hot Chick (2002) and Mommy (2014), and serves as a music producer collaborating with various artists while hosting the radio show Man of the Hour on IDOBI Radio.[1][2]Early life
Childhood and family
Sébastien Lefebvre was born on June 5, 1981, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Of French-Canadian descent, he grew up in the nearby suburb of Laval in a bilingual household, speaking both French and English from an early age.[7] He is the son of Jean-François Lefebvre, who worked in human resources, and Lorraine Pépin, a psychologist and social worker; his parents divorced when he was in high school, and both later remarried.[8] Lefebvre has three siblings: an older brother, Jay Lefebvre, with whom he remains close and has collaborated musically, and two younger sisters, Héloïse and Andrée-Anne.[9] His family's non-musical professions reflected a professional, middle-class upbringing in the Montreal region, where Lefebvre attended local schools. This stable environment provided the foundation for his later interests, though his immediate family showed no direct ties to the music industry.Musical beginnings and Simple Plan formation
Sébastien Lefebvre developed an early interest in music while attending Collège Beaubois, a high school in Pierrefonds, Quebec, near Montreal, where he graduated in the 1997–1998 class. As a teenager, he worked as a janitor at the school and immersed himself in the local punk rock scene, inspired by bands like Green Day and Blink-182.[10][11][12] Lefebvre began playing guitar at age 12, receiving his first instrument as a gift and teaching himself by ear through mimicking performances on television and videos, particularly drawing from influences like Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. His self-taught approach focused on punk and alternative rock styles, honing skills without formal lessons during his high school years around age 13 to 15. Family support played a role, with his mother purchasing the initial guitar while encouraging balance with studies.[13][14][11] In 1999, Lefebvre joined forces with high school friends Chuck Comeau (drummer from the short-lived punk band Reset) and Jeff Stinco (lead guitarist) to form Simple Plan in Montreal, initially as a trio seeking a more melodic pop-punk sound. Lefebvre, a fan of Reset—who had disbanded the previous year after releasing one album—served as rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, bringing his skills to the group after tryouts. Later that year, original Reset frontman Pierre Bouvier rejoined following a chance reunion at a Sugar Ray concert, solidifying the core lineup.[15][16][17] The band quickly built momentum through local Montreal gigs at small venues like Club One, performing for crowds of around 80 and refining their energetic live shows in the underground scene. They recorded early demos starting in late 1999, including tracks like "Summer Lies" and "Rocket," which captured their raw pop-punk style and were circulated among industry contacts. By 2001, these efforts, including a demo sent to Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, led to a signing with Lava Records (an Atlantic imprint), paving the way for their major-label debut album in 2002.[15][18][19]Career
With Simple Plan
Sébastien Lefebvre has served as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for Simple Plan since the band's formation in 1999, providing essential harmonic support and energetic stage presence that have defined their pop-punk sound.[2] His contributions extend to songwriting, where he has co-authored tracks across multiple albums, infusing them with relatable lyrics and driving riffs that resonate with fans.[20] In live performances, Lefebvre's interplay with lead guitarist Jeff Stinco creates dynamic guitar layers, while his backing vocals add depth to Pierre Bouvier's leads, enhancing the band's high-energy shows.[21] Lefebvre has been a core creative force on all of Simple Plan's studio albums, from their debut No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002), where his rhythm guitar work anchored anthems like "I'd Do Anything," to their latest release Harder Than It Looks (2022), featuring his prominent backing vocals on the title track.[22] Throughout the discography—including Still Not Getting Any... (2004), Simple Plan (2008), Get Your Heart On! (2011), and Taking One for the Team (2016)—he contributed distinctive guitar parts that blend punk aggression with melodic hooks, as well as vocal harmonies that amplify the band's emotional delivery.[23] His consistent involvement has helped evolve the band's sound while maintaining its youthful edge.[24] Simple Plan's touring history highlights Lefebvre's endurance on the road, with the band participating in iconic events like the Vans Warped Tour in the early 2000s and a full set at the 2025 revival edition.[25] In 2022, they co-headlined the Blame Canada Tour with Sum 41, where Lefebvre's guitar solos energized crowds during hits from their catalog. In 2025, Lefebvre joined the Europe/UK Tour with The Offspring, performing across international venues in Europe, including stops in Frankfurt, Brussels, and Cologne, solidifying the band's global appeal.[26] A notable recent collaboration featuring Lefebvre was Simple Plan's guest appearance on Avril Lavigne's single "Young & Dumb," released on May 9, 2025, where the band provided backing vocals and guitar to create a nostalgic pop-punk anthem about youthful recklessness.[27] The track, which debuted to strong fan reception, was performed live together at the When We Were Young festival in October 2025, with Lefebvre's rhythms complementing Lavigne's vocals.[28] Lefebvre contributed significantly to the band's 2025 documentary Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd, released on Prime Video on July 8, which chronicles their 25-year journey through archival footage and new interviews.[29] As a subject and participant, he shared insights on the band's evolution during production, helping shape the narrative around their transition from fans to performers.[30] Despite challenges such as bassist David Desrosiers' departure in 2020 following allegations of sexual misconduct and periods of hiatus following their 2016 album, Lefebvre has played a pivotal role in Simple Plan's longevity as one of the few consistent members since inception.[31] His dedication to the band's vision, evident in navigating creative differences and lineup shifts, has sustained their relevance through reunions and new releases into 2025.[32]Solo work
Sébastien Lefebvre released his debut solo EP, You Are Here / Vous Êtes Ici, on October 20, 2009, through Coalition Entertainment Inc.[33] This bilingual acoustic project featured six tracks alternating between English and French, including "Décoller," "Comatose," "La nouvelle vie," "Good Night," "I Fall for You," and "The One," reflecting personal themes of introspection and emotional vulnerability inspired by his love for singer-songwriter traditions.[33] The EP marked a departure from the high-energy pop-punk of Simple Plan, emphasizing stripped-down guitar arrangements and Lefebvre's solo vocal delivery.[34] In 2011, Lefebvre followed with the free EP Les Robots, self-recorded in his home studio and made available for download directly from his personal website.[35] The seven-track release included "Fabrication," "Sending You A Letter," "Catch Me," "Tu Me Manques," and others, blending electronic-tinged pop elements with continued bilingual lyricism that explored themes of disconnection and human emotion.[36] This project highlighted Lefebvre's experimental side, allowing fans unrestricted access to encourage broader engagement with his independent work.[35] Lefebvre's third solo EP, More Sake Por Favor, arrived on July 20, 2012, also via Coalition Records, comprising seven tracks such as "L'Histoire," "My Dear," "Always," "Au Secours," "Mystérieuse," "This Bed," and "Getting Stuck in My Head."[37] Self-written, performed, and produced by Lefebvre, the EP adopted a darker, more introspective tone with atmospheric production, diverging further into folk-influenced experimentation while retaining bilingual elements.[34] As of 2025, Lefebvre has not released a full-length solo album or additional major solo outputs beyond these EPs, focusing instead on selective personal projects that fuse his pop-punk roots with acoustic and electronic explorations. His songwriting in these works draws from influences like Jack Johnson and Damien Rice, prioritizing raw emotional expression over commercial polish.[38]Production and collaborations
Lefebvre produced Canadian singer-songwriter Andee's debut album Black and White Heart, released in 2015 by Universal Music Canada, where he also co-wrote nine of the thirteen tracks to highlight her vocal range in a pop-rock style.[39] The lead single, "Never Gone," which Lefebvre co-wrote with Andee (Andrée-Anne Leclerc), earned an Anglophone Song Award at the 2015 SOCAN Awards in Montréal.[40] In 2013, Lefebvre co-produced Acadian singer Wilfred Le Bouthillier's fourth studio album Je poursuis ma route alongside his brother Jay Lefebvre, blending upbeat pop and dance elements with contributions to song arrangements.[41] He also co-wrote tracks such as "Peu m'importe," enhancing the album's energetic and perseverant themes.[42] Lefebvre contributed to Simple Plan's cover of "Justified Black Eye" for the 2013 tribute album The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute, a Fat Wreck Chords release benefiting the family of NOFX and Tony Sly frontman, where the band handled recording and engineering aspects.[43] That same year, he collaborated with Canadian musician Katie Rox on the holiday EP Christmas Etc., a three-track release featuring original songs like "Stay (It's Christmas)" that they co-wrote and recorded in a folk-pop vein.[44] Drawing from his experience with Simple Plan, Lefebvre maintains an active interest in studio production, as detailed on his personal website, though no major credits emerged from 2024 or 2025.[45]Media and other projects
In 2006, Sébastien Lefebvre co-created and began hosting the radio show Man of the Hour on idobi Radio, initially airing its first episode on August 5 of that year.[46] The program, which has continued weekly on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET since its inception, evolved into a podcast format available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, allowing broader accessibility beyond live broadcasts.[47][48] Lefebvre co-hosts the show with Canadian radio personality Patrick Langlois, a journalist from MusiquePlus, focusing on candid conversations about life, music, family, love, and personal anecdotes that often highlight humorous or relatable experiences from their worlds.[49] Over nearly two decades, the podcast has maintained a consistent format blending entertainment with introspection, occasionally featuring guest appearances from musicians and industry figures to discuss career highs, challenges, and everyday stories.[50] This evolution from a niche radio segment to a enduring digital series underscores Lefebvre's interest in media beyond live performances, providing a platform for unfiltered storytelling.[51] Beyond broadcasting, Lefebvre engages fans through social media, particularly on Instagram under the handle @seblefebvre, where he posts updates on his professional endeavors, family moments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, amassing 114,000 followers as of 2025.[52] He also participates in Cameo, offering personalized video messages to supporters, which ties into his approachable persona cultivated through the podcast.[52]Personal life
Family
Sébastien Lefebvre has been married to Laurence Lefebvre since 2012, and their relationship continues as of 2025.[53] The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Clara, in September 2014.[54][9] Lefebvre and his family reside in Montreal, where he built a home studio after relocating there with his wife and newborn daughter in 2014.[55] In interviews, Lefebvre has discussed the challenges of balancing his demanding touring schedule with Simple Plan and his responsibilities as a parent, including navigating bilingual parenting by choosing between speaking French or English to Clara.[56] No further children or separations have been reported as of 2025.Philanthropy and activism
Sébastien Lefebvre has been actively involved in philanthropy through the Simple Plan Foundation, which he co-founded with his bandmates in December 2005 to support young people facing challenges in transitioning to adulthood, including those affected by life-threatening illnesses, poverty, and social issues.[57] The foundation emphasizes youth empowerment via music education programs in schools, anti-bullying initiatives such as partnerships with Artists Against Bullying and organizations like GRIS and Tel-Jeunes, and mental health support addressing depression and suicide prevention.[57] As a founding member, Lefebvre participates in key decision-making and fundraising efforts, contributing to the organization's raising nearly $3 million in donations as of late 2024, with funds directed to hundreds of youth-focused causes worldwide.[58] In November 2024, the foundation announced $280,000 in donations to 28 organizations supporting mental health, suicide prevention, care for seriously ill youth, diversity, and arts/music programs.[58] Lefebvre's philanthropic activities include performing at benefit concerts and events tied to the foundation, such as the 2014 free concert for Kiehl's Rocks for Kids, which supported children's charities.[59] He has also taken part in Warped Tour charity components and other fundraisers, where proceeds aid the foundation's missions.[60] In 2025, during Simple Plan's Australian tour with The Offspring, Lefebvre helped facilitate a donation of $1 from each ticket sold to the foundation, continuing the band's tradition of integrating philanthropy into live performances.[61] These efforts earned Lefebvre and his bandmates the Meritorious Service Cross from the Governor General of Canada in 2017, recognizing their outstanding contributions to children's health, education, poverty alleviation, and anti-bullying campaigns through the foundation.[62] On a personal level, Lefebvre has advocated for mental health awareness, drawing from his own experiences with anxiety, which he discussed in a 2022 interview during Mental Health Awareness Month.[63] He emphasized how Simple Plan's music promotes hope as a coping mechanism for emotional struggles, advising fans to support loved ones by listening and offering presence without judgment.[63]Equipment
Guitars
Sébastien Lefebvre has long been associated with Framus guitars, which form the core of his setup for both live performances and studio recordings with Simple Plan. His primary instrument is the Framus Mayfield Pro signature model, a custom-built hollowbody electric guitar developed in collaboration with the manufacturer.[64] This model, designated as #13-2473, features a curved maple body and set maple neck for enhanced resonance, a maple fretboard with a 12-inch radius and 22 jumbo frets, and a 24.75-inch scale length.[64] The Mayfield Pro is equipped with a Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB humbucker in the bridge position for its balanced bite and sustain, paired with MEC passive electronics including one volume and one tone control, and a special toggle for the Graph Tech Tune-O-Matic Ghost Piezo bridge system that adds acoustic-like versatility.[64][20] Customizations include chrome hardware, Sperzel locking machineheads for tuning stability, and Cleartone .010-.046 strings, all finished in Sea Foam Green to suit Lefebvre's stage presence and tonal needs.[64] These modifications provide the warmth and punch essential to Simple Plan's rhythm guitar sound, with the hollowbody design offering improved clean tones over his earlier solidbody preferences.[20] In the early 2000s, during Simple Plan's formation and debut album No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002), Lefebvre relied on Framus Panthera models for their aggressive playability in pop-punk settings.[65] He later incorporated Framus Renegade Pros, using them extensively for over a decade on tours including multiple Vans Warped Tours, before retiring them from heavy road duty.[65] For the follow-up album Still Not Getting Any... (2004), he adopted the Framus Tennessee, a semi-hollow model that introduced greater sustain and tonal depth to his recordings.[65][20] Lefebvre's gear evolved toward the Mayfield around 2014, when Framus crafted his custom Pro version specifically for his endorsement and performance demands.[66] This shift emphasized versatility for both distorted rhythms and cleaner articulations, aligning with the band's maturing sound.[20] By the early 2020s, he expanded his arsenal to include Godin guitars, becoming an endorsed artist with the Canadian brand; in 2023, he added the Session T Pro, Montreal Premiere Pro, and Stadium Pro models to his collection for diverse recording applications.[67][68][69][70]Amplifiers and effects
Sébastien Lefebvre primarily relies on Framus amplifiers to achieve his signature tones in both live performances and studio sessions. He employs the Framus Dragon head and cabinet for delivering crunch sounds, which provide the punchy and thick rhythm guitar foundation essential to Simple Plan's pop-punk style.[20] Earlier in his career, Lefebvre used the Framus Renegade Pro amplifier for over a decade, including during multiple Vans Warped Tours, though it has since been retired from active road use.[71] For effects, Lefebvre's pedalboard features several T-Rex units tailored to enhance his clean and overdriven tones without complicating his setup. The T-Rex Reptile 2 serves as his delay pedal, offering a range of delay sounds from crisp digital echoes to warm, vintage-style tape delays for subtle time-based effects in rhythm parts.[71] He also incorporates the T-Rex Tremster tremolo pedal to add rhythmic pulse to his playing, as demonstrated in promotional footage with the band.[72] Additionally, the T-Rex Twister provides chorus and flanger capabilities, helping to broaden his guitar's spatial presence during live shows.[73] Lefebvre rounds out his effects chain with a modified Boss chorus pedal, which contributes to the shimmering, modulated textures in Simple Plan's recordings and performances.[65] Lefebvre's amplification and effects preferences emphasize simplicity and reliability, allowing him to maintain tight, aggressive rhythm guitar sounds while performing backup vocals on stage. This streamlined approach avoids excessive switching, prioritizing a consistent pop-punk edge with controlled gain and modulation.[20] During tours, he has utilized the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx II unit for versatile modeling of amp and effects tones.[71] Lefebvre maintains his long-standing endorsement with Framus, integrating their amplifiers seamlessly with his guitars for optimal sustain and warmth in live settings.[71]Discography
Solo releases
Lefebvre's solo discography consists of three extended plays (EPs), all self-released or issued through the independent label Coalition Entertainment Records, emphasizing bilingual (English and French) songwriting with acoustic guitar-driven pop rock arrangements that reflect a more introspective style compared to his band work.[74] These releases were made available digitally via platforms like Bandcamp, where they remain accessible for streaming and download as of 2025.[74] His debut EP, You Are Here / Vous Êtes Ici, was released on October 20, 2009, via Coalition Entertainment Records. Recorded at the Man of the Hour studio in Montréal and mastered at Lacquer Channel, the self-produced project features seven tracks blending personal themes with delicate vocals and acoustic elements:- Décoller (1:30)
- Comatose (4:00)
- La Nouvelle Vie (3:21)
- Good Night (3:02)
- I Fall For You (3:47)
- Life Goes On (3:09)
- The One (2:39) [75][33]
- Fabrication
- Sending You a Letter
- Catch Me (with Katie Rox)
- Tu Me Manques
- The Last Time We Kiss
- Crossed Out
- Getting Stuck in My Head [36][35][76]
- L'Histoire
- My Dear
- Always
- Au Secours
- Mystérieuse
- This Bed
- I Raise My Glass [37][77]
Simple Plan contributions
Sébastien Lefebvre has been a core member of Simple Plan since the band's formation in 1999, serving as the rhythm guitarist and providing backing vocals on all studio releases. As a co-songwriter, he contributed to the majority of the band's material across their discography, often collaborating with bandmates Pierre Bouvier, Chuck Comeau, Jeff Stinco, and David Desrosiers, as well as external producers and writers. His guitar work emphasizes rhythmic drive and harmonic support, complementing Stinco's lead lines, while his vocals add layered harmonies to Bouvier's leads. Lefebvre's involvement spans from the band's debut in 2002 through their sixth album in 2022, plus subsequent singles, encompassing over 100 original tracks. On Simple Plan's debut album, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002), Lefebvre co-wrote all 12 tracks, including hits like "I'd Do Anything" and "Perfect," where he is explicitly credited alongside Arnold Lanni, Bouvier, Comeau, Stinco, and others. He performed rhythm guitar on every song and contributed backing vocals throughout, helping propel the album to a peak of No. 35 on the Billboard 200 after a slow initial climb from its No. 183 debut. The record's success, including multi-platinum certifications in Canada and Australia, highlighted Lefebvre's foundational role in establishing the band's pop-punk sound. For the follow-up, Still Not Getting Any... (2004), Lefebvre shared songwriting credits on all tracks with his bandmates and producer Bob Rock, notably on "Welcome to My Life" and "Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?)," which became radio staples. His rhythm guitar and backing vocals are prominent on the album's anthemic choruses, contributing to its strong debut at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 139,000 first-week sales. Subsequent releases continued this pattern: on the self-titled Simple Plan (2008), Lefebvre co-wrote tracks like "When I'm Gone" and "Your Love Is a Lie" with collaborators including Max Martin and Dave Fortman; Get Your Heart On! (2011) featured his input on songs such as "Summer Paradise" and "Astronaut," produced by Brian Howes; Taking One for the Team (2016) included co-writes on "Singing in the Rain" and "Perfect World" with Howard Benson; and Harder Than It Looks (2022), the band's first self-released album, credited Lefebvre on all tracks, including "The Antidote" and "Iconic," amid a more mature lyrical evolution. Across these, his consistent guitar and vocal roles supported the band's evolution while maintaining high-energy performances. In 2013, Lefebvre took on expanded production duties for Simple Plan's cover of "Justified Black Eye" on the tribute album The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute, honoring the late No Use for a Name frontman Tony Sly; he handled engineering, rhythm guitar, and backing vocals for the track. Beyond studio work, Lefebvre's contributions extended to the band's 2025 single "Young & Dumb," a collaboration with Avril Lavigne released on May 9, where Simple Plan provided instrumentation and vocals, with Lefebvre on rhythm guitar and harmonies. This marked a return to collaborative pop-punk roots. The band's discography, spanning 2002 to 2025, ties into the 2025 documentary Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd, which features archival footage and performances showcasing Lefebvre's 25-year tenure, including live renditions of key tracks he helped create.Collaborative works
In 2010, Sébastien Lefebvre collaborated with Canadian singer-songwriter Katie Rox on the holiday-themed EP Christmas Etc..., which they co-wrote and co-performed.[44] The three-track release features acoustic pop-folk arrangements and includes the following songs:- "Stay (It's Christmas)" (3:14)
- "Otherside" (3:34)
- "Rich" (4:14)
Filmography
Acting appearances
Sébastien Lefebvre's acting appearances are primarily limited to cameo roles and band performances, often tied to Simple Plan's promotional efforts in the early 2000s. His first notable screen role came in 2003 on The New Tom Green Show, where he appeared as himself alongside fellow bandmates in an episode aired on July 18, promoting the band's music.[81] That same year, Lefebvre appeared as himself in the documentary Simple Plan: A Big Package for You. The following year, 2004, saw Lefebvre portray himself in the family comedy New York Minute, starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; the band performed their hit "Shut Up!" during a concert scene, blending music promotion with on-screen presence.[82][83] Also in 2004, Lefebvre appeared as himself in the documentary Simple Plan: Still Not Getting Any.... In 2004, Lefebvre provided voice work as himself in the animated episode "Simple Plan and the Invisible Madman" from What's New, Scooby-Doo?, where the band is central to the mystery plot involving an invisible antagonist at a rock festival.[84] In 2005, Lefebvre appeared as himself in Simple Plan: MTV Hard Rock Live 2005. By 2025, Lefebvre's total acting credits remain modest, totaling around eight minor appearances, mostly music-related cameos that highlight his role in Simple Plan rather than standalone performances.Directing credits
Sébastien Lefebvre has directed several music videos for Simple Plan in collaboration with bandmate and drummer Chuck Comeau, leveraging their shared creative vision to capture the band's pop-punk energy and thematic focus on adolescence, relationships, and resilience.[85] These efforts often involved co-direction with professional filmmakers, blending narrative storytelling with live performance elements to engage fans visually. His confirmed directing credits for Simple Plan include the following:| Year | Title | Director Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Shut Up! | Co-directed with Eric White |
| 2006 | Perfect World | Directed by Simple Plan |
| 2007 | When I'm Gone | Co-directed with Frank Borin |
| 2011 | Jet Lag (ft. Natasha Bedingfield) | Co-directed with Frank Borin |
| 2011 | Can't Keep My Hands Off of You (ft. TNA) | Co-directed with Frank Borin |
| 2013 | The Rest of Us | Directed by Simple Plan |