A pop punk veteran reflects on two decades of music, touring and tone
In this episode of Guitar Chat, we sit down with Jeff Stinco, guitarist for the iconic Canadian pop punk band Simple Plan, to talk about his career, his relationship with the guitar, the evolution of the band’s sound, and how gear—and mindset—play a critical role in staying relevant after 23 years on the road.
“At some point we said, let’s just make a Simple Plan record—and that wasn’t lazy. That was smart.”
Jeff offers an honest and energetic look into what it means to be a working guitarist, a bandmate, and a fan of the instrument.
Touring with no rehearsals—and total chemistry
One of the standout moments in the conversation is Jeff’s confession: the band doesn’t rehearse before touring anymore.
“We just get off the plane and go. The chemistry is there. It’s all muscle memory.”
Despite band members living across different cities, their live shows are tight and high energy—a reflection of decades of shared experience.
From parking lots to MTV: The DIY rise of Simple Plan
Jeff recounts the early days of the band with humor and humility—from recording demos with friends to sending out hundreds of packages to record labels and even following a Blink-182 tour to play parking lot shows.
“We gave T-shirts to cute girls because we figured people would think the band must be cool.”
That hustler mentality eventually paid off with MTV airplay, a dedicated fanbase, and a deal that allowed them to tour relentlessly and grow organically.
Pop melodies with punk energy: The Simple Plan formula
Simple Plan struck a balance between catchy hooks and distorted power chords—what Jeff describes as a blend of nursery-rhyme simplicity and Beatles-level melody.
“Our goal is to write huge choruses, big melodies, and loud guitars without losing our identity.”
Even as the industry shifted, the band stayed true to their sound while exploring electronic textures in moderation.
The guitar lives on—thanks to new generations
Jeff shares his enthusiasm for the new wave of guitarists making waves on TikTok and Instagram, and how bands like Polyphia and Animals as Leaders are inspiring a younger audience.
“Seeing girls at a Polyphia show gave me hope—it’s not just guitar nerds anymore.”
He celebrates the creative resurgence of guitar-based music—even if it no longer dominates mainstream radio.
Gear talk: Teles, humbuckers, and the perfect tremolo
Jeff dives into his gear evolution, from Strat-style guitars to humbucker-loaded Teles. He also shares his appreciation for modern guitars like Aristides and headless Strandbergs, which he calls “buttery to play”.
On tremolo systems:
“I love Floyd Roses, but they’re a nightmare live. That’s why I think Vegatrem is genius—you can dive, stay in tune, and still have tone.”
His praise for Vegatrem reflects exactly why we built it: to solve real problems for real players on real stages.
A guitarist who balances passion and purpose
Jeff Stinco is more than a lead guitarist in a platinum-selling band—he’s a thoughtful artist, a working musician, and someone who still loves what he does after more than two decades.
“You want your kids to see you doing what you love—not frustrated by what you didn’t get to do.”