With a punk-ish power pop sound resting somewhere between Cheap Trick and Green Day, French-Canadian band A Simple Plan proved their mettle as emo-punk players with their solid 2003 debut, NO PADS, NO HELMETS. ALL BALLS. Fronted by songwriter Pierre Bouvier, the group excelled in youthful three-minute songs of love, betrayal, and hope. Through the aughts, the four-piece consistently peppered the U.S. pop charts with hits such as "Addicted," "Perfect," and "When I'm Gone."