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The Simple Plan
Black background with the words "August is Falling" and "The Simple Plan. There is the head of a frowning man with long dark hair and the symbol for a frowny face.
EP by
August Is Falling
ReleasedSeptember 2, 2022 (2022-09-02)
Recorded2022
GenrePop punk, emo pop
Length13:43
Producer
Singles from The Simple Plan
  1. "August Is Falling"

The Simple Plan is an EP released independently in 2022 by August Is Falling, a pop-punk/emo music project led by American singer-guitarist 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 mixed the EP's single, "August Is Falling". The EP also features appearances from Eric Slick and Toby Leaman of Dr. Dog and from Kim Whitehill.

Development and release

[edit]

In mid 2022, Philadelphia-based musician and YouTube personality Pat Finnerty founded August Is Falling, a pop-punk, emo-style music project.[1][2][3][4] Finnerty wrote[5][6] the songs and played guitars and sang vocals, on the band's The Simple Plan EP that was released independently on September 2, 2022.[7] The EP featured Toby Leaman, Kim, and Butch Walker on tracks,[5] as well an appearance by 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 and released as a single.[6] A 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.[11] Lyrics of the songs on the EP take aim at the popular music industry, internet culture, and the state of the emo movement.[7][12] The EP both lampoons and plays 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[15] and the EP being featured on Spotify's new pop punk playlist.[11]

Critical reception

[edit]

The band and EP received praise from The Darkness front man 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 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 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. Armed with skill and heart, this EP is infinitely more than a sarcastic footnote."[13]

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

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Pat Finnerty[5][6]

The Simple Plan EP (2022)
No.TitleLength
1."The Simple Plan"2:49
2."Mad This Summer"2:46
3."Btgg" (featuring Toby Leaman)2:33
4."Don't Click the Link" (featuring Kim)2:39
5."August Is Falling" (featuring Butch Walker)2:56
Total length:13:43

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • Pat Finnerty – lead vocals, guitars (all tracks); bass (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5), drums (tracks 1, 4)
  • Pat Berkery – drums (track 2)
  • Toby Leaman – bass guitar, vocals (track 3)
  • Travis Harrison – drums (track 3)
  • Balzman – background vocals (track 3)
  • Zach Miller – keyboards (track 4)
  • Kim – vocals (track 4)
  • Eric Slick – drums (track 5)

Technical

  • Pat Finnerty – production (tracks 1–4), engineering (all tracks), mixing (tracks 1, 4)
  • Butch Walker – production, mixing (track 5)
  • Travis Harrison – mastering (all tracks), mixing (track 3)
  • Tim "BigTimmy11" Phillips – mixing (track 2)

See also

[edit]
  • "Emo Girl", a 2022 song by Machine Gun Kelly

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Simple Plan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Simple Plan is the debut (EP) by August Is Falling, an American and music project led by singer-guitarist . Released independently on September 2, 2022, the five-track EP blends energetic instrumentation with nostalgic, earnest lyrics, drawing influences from early 2000s bands such as , New Found Glory, and . August Is Falling emerged as a mysterious online phenomenon in 2022, with its page and cultivating an aura of intrigue through cryptic posts and fan speculation about the band's identity. , a Philadelphia-based musician and best known for his satirical critique series What Makes This Song Stink?, fronts the project while maintaining its enigmatic persona, which initially led fans to question whether he had "hacked" the band's account due to his vocal admiration for . The EP's title track, "The Simple Plan," references themes of fleeting youth and emotional , setting the tone for the release's suburban escapism and vulnerable storytelling. Produced and mixed by Grammy-nominated —whose credits include , , and —the EP features buoyant choruses, gang vocals, and guest appearances, including Toby Leaman of on "B.T.G.G." and Kim on "Don't Click the Link." Tracks like "Mad This Summer (bigtimmy11 remix)" and the self-titled closer "August is Falling" highlight the project's quickfire energy and live-friendly appeal, with the latter single amassing nearly 40,000 YouTube views within hours of its August 31 premiere. Critically, The Simple Plan received praise for its polished production, catchy melodies, and ability to capture pop-punk's raw emotional core, earning an 8/10 rating in one review that lauded its transition from hype to a "crowd-pleasing" debut. The release propelled August Is Falling to the top of Bandcamp's punk charts shortly after launch, underscoring Finnerty's successful pivot from online commentary to creating the genre he passionately analyzes.

Background and Development

Formation of August Is Falling

Pat Finnerty, a Philadelphia-based musician and YouTube personality, established himself through comedy sketches and music parodies, most notably his viral series "What Makes This Song Stink?," which dissects flawed popular songs with humorous precision. Prior to his online success during the pandemic, Finnerty led local bands like Okay Paddy and served as a guitarist for acts including , honing his skills in and scenes around the city. In mid-2022, Finnerty founded August Is Falling as a dedicated and music project, originating from his August 1, 2022, critique of Machine Gun Kelly's "Emo Girl," where he spontaneously created demo tracks to mock modern attempts, evolving them into a full-fledged band persona played straight-faced for ironic effect. Finnerty opted to launch August Is Falling independently, bypassing traditional record labels and self-releasing material through platforms like to maintain creative control. By capitalizing on his established following of nearly 150,000 subscribers as of late 2022, he generated immediate online buzz, with early singles and videos driving streams and downloads that propelled the project to the top of Bandcamp's punk charts shortly after debut. This project extended Finnerty's broader parody style, channeling nostalgia for early into exaggerated, self-aware anthems, with the EP titled as a reference to the band Simple Plan.

Concept and Songwriting

The Simple Plan EP, released in 2022 by the project August Is Falling, centers on a satirical take on the broader emo/pop-punk tropes prevalent in the early , while critiquing industry and the pitfalls of internet culture. Created by musician as an extension of his parody series What Makes This Song Stink?, the EP exaggerates clichéd elements like angsty suburban youth and mosh-pit bravado to highlight the absurdity of trends, such as those seen in Kelly's work. This conceptual framework draws directly from Finnerty's online content, where parody videos dissecting overanalyzed and viral hits inspired the EP's structure, transforming humorous critiques into full songs that blend mockery with unexpected earnestness. Finnerty handled the songwriting for all five tracks, crafting lyrics that emphasize humorous, self-aware takes on summer romance, digital-age distractions, and stereotypes, such as heartbreak over text messages or performative vulnerability. For instance, songs like "Don't Click the Link" lampoon scams and short spans, while others evoke faded festival memories with lines poking fun at "whacking off" to old band tees, all delivered in a style that mimics yet subverts the genre's emotional excess. This process stemmed from Finnerty's goal to write deliberately "awful" yet catchy tunes as a experiment, ultimately resulting in material that resonated beyond its ironic intent. The EP's thematic structure was shaped by Finnerty's parodies, which often targeted reductive analyses of nostalgia, leading to a cohesive arc across tracks that critiques how digital platforms amplify superficial revivals of early-2000s sounds. By naming the project after a seasonal for decline—" is Falling"—and titling the EP The Simple Plan as a nod to , Finnerty embedded layers of irony, using the spoof to question the authenticity of emo's cultural resurgence in an era dominated by algorithmic trends.

Production

Recording Process

The recording of The Simple Plan EP took place throughout 2022, with handling the majority of the production using a DIY setup in . As the project's sole creator, Finnerty performed vocals and guitar on every track, employing DIY methods that emphasized simplicity and self-reliance. Initial demos were crafted using basic digital audio workstations, reflecting the EP's independent, low-budget ethos that resonated with the raw, authentic spirit of production. Remote contributions came into play during , particularly for mixing, which allowed Finnerty to collaborate beyond his local setup without a traditional studio environment. A key highlight was the mixing of the lead single "August Is Falling" by producer , who refined the track remotely to enhance its polished yet gritty sound. This approach underscored the EP's origins, prioritizing creative control and minimal resources over high-end facilities.

Collaborators and Contributions

The EP The Simple Plan benefited from targeted collaborations with established musicians, each bringing distinct expertise to individual tracks and elevating the project's emo-pop and aesthetic. , renowned drummer for the indie rock band , provided the drum performance exclusively for the closing track, "August Is Falling," delivering a dynamic and precise that anchored the song's energetic drive. Toby Leaman, Dr. Dog's and co-vocalist, is featured on track 3, "Btgg," adding a layer of harmonic depth and emotional resonance that complemented the track's heartfelt delivery. Kim, credited as Kim, took on featured vocals for track 4, "Don't Click the Link," infusing the song with a raw, confrontational edge through her powerful and versatile performance, which shifted the dynamic into a more aggressive, dialogue-driven territory. Music producer handled production and mixing duties for the lead single "August Is Falling," while also performing bass; his involvement imparted a refined, professional sheen to the track's emo-pop sound, drawing on his extensive experience with acts like Fall Out Boy and to balance raw energy with polished production values. Additionally, visual artist J. Gonzo directed the official lyrics video for "August Is Falling," crafting a stylized that visually captured the song's thematic introspection and amplified its promotional reach. These contributions were enabled by the project's independent release model, which allowed Finnerty flexibility in enlisting specific talents without major-label constraints.

Musical Style and Themes

Genre Characteristics

The Simple Plan EP is classified as pop-punk and emo-pop, drawing direct influences from early 2000s bands like , , New Found Glory, and Blink-182, particularly in its adoption of Tom DeLonge-esque nasal vocals and suburban anthemic energy. The EP's sound is characterized by fast tempos, distorted power chords, and anthemic choruses that create a high-energy, crowd-stirring vibe typical of the genre. Key sonic elements include buoyant, distortion-heavy guitar riffs, upbeat and stomping drumming patterns, and infectious melodic hooks that propel the five tracks across its concise 13:43 runtime. Structurally, the songs follow straightforward verse-chorus formats, enhanced by varied guest features such as Toby Leaman's prominent, driving bass lines on "B. T. G. G.," which amplify the overall punk drive. Overall, these elements blend to produce a nostalgic revival of with energetic, anthemic tropes.

Lyrical Content

The lyrics of The Simple Plan EP by August Is Falling center on emotional introspection and nostalgic reflections, exploring themes of , heartbreak, suburban life, and through humorous and vulnerable narratives. Drawing from creator Pat Finnerty's background in comedic music analysis on his series What Makes This Song Stink?, the EP incorporates tongue-in-cheek humor alongside earnest expressions. This approach is evident in tracks that evoke fleeting summer romances and digital experiences, using tropes like heartbreak and isolation. A key theme is for lost youth, particularly in "August Is Falling," which reflects on a faded romance through evoking "9th grade memories" of first loves and heartbreaks. Similarly, "Mad This Summer" laments a summer fling with self-deprecating lines like "I'm so mad this summer, I'm so sad this summer," capturing emotional turmoil in a mid-2000s style. "BTGG" (short for "Blinds To Go Guy") is a humorous, energetic track praising a local figure with gang vocals, highlighting suburban . Internet culture is addressed in "Don't Click the Link," which confronts and online hype with direct lines like "Don't click the link below, we're all gonna fucking die." The title track, "The Simple Plan," yearns for escapist simplicity amid suburban , referencing MGK and the band of the same name. Throughout, Finnerty's comedic roots infuse the lyrics with a balance of genuine vulnerability and humor, resonating as an homage to its influences.

Release and Promotion

Release Details

The Simple Plan was released independently on September 2, 2022, as a digital EP available on platforms such as and . The EP consists of five tracks with a total runtime of 13 minutes and 43 seconds, self-distributed by , the project's leader, without involvement from a major . No physical formats were offered at the time of launch. The release was announced through Finnerty's YouTube channel, leveraging his established online presence as a musician and content creator to ensure immediate digital accessibility for fans.

Marketing and Singles

The lead single "August Is Falling", featuring Butch Walker on production and mixing, was released ahead of the EP to generate buzz, accompanied by an official lyrics video directed by J. Gonzo. The video quickly amassed nearly 140,000 views on YouTube within its first week, capitalizing on the track's nostalgic pop-punk sound. Promotion relied on a YouTube campaign that leveraged creator Pat Finnerty's subscriber base from his music series What Makes This Song Stink?, featuring teaser videos like the "New Single 'August is Falling' Teaser Video" to build intrigue around the project's satirical homage to early-2000s and tropes. Additional content included live performance videos, such as "Mad This Summer Live", shared to emphasize the EP's revivalist energy and elements, like exaggerated band mystery and fan "obsession" narratives. This approach fostered organic engagement without traditional industry backing. Social media efforts amplified the EP's revival themes and humorous aspects, with fans and Finnerty coordinating comments to portray August Is Falling as a long-lost underground act, driving viral discussion. The independent release model allowed for agile tactics, such as rapid uploads and community-driven hype, culminating in the EP trending as the top punk release on shortly after launch.

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its release, The Simple Plan EP garnered positive attention from music critics and industry figures for its blend of humor, energy, and satirical take on emo-pop conventions. The Darkness frontman praised the project on his Justin Hawkins Rides Again, highlighting its infectious humor and high-energy delivery that captured the spirit of revival while poking fun at genre tropes. This endorsement underscored the EP's ability to entertain through witty, self-aware elements that resonated with fans of nostalgic rock . Craig's Music Review awarded the EP an 8/10 rating, commending its catchy melodies bolstered by strong production and infectious choruses, with references in tracks like "B.T.G.G." adding layers to the genre's familiar sound. ABC News included The Simple Plan at #45 on its list of the top 50 albums of , describing it as a fun, nostalgic EP that lampoons the genre while paying fitting homage to early-2000s bands like Blink-182. A related video in Pat Finnerty's satirical "What Makes This Song Stink?" series, which announced the August Is Falling project, won Best YouTube Video of the Year at the 2022 MidRange Awards for its humorous critique and creative parody style. Overall, these responses emphasized the project's artistic merits in revitalizing through and melodic appeal, distinguishing it within the .

Commercial Performance

Upon its independent release on September 2, 2022, The Simple Plan EP achieved immediate success on , topping the punk category charts shortly after launch. This momentum was driven by the EP's digital availability without physical distribution, allowing direct fan purchases and streams to propel its visibility in the pop-punk niche. The lead single "August is Falling" exemplified the EP's online traction, amassing nearly 140,000 views within its first week of release on August 31, 2022. By late 2025, the official lyric video had surpassed 279,000 views, reflecting sustained streaming growth fueled by algorithms and fan sharing on social platforms. Despite this digital buzz, the EP's independent status precluded placements on major charts like the , though it garnered notable organic reach through algorithmic recommendations and community-driven promotion. In 2022, The Simple Plan contributed to the EP's overall , with combined and earning inclusions in year-end best-of lists, such as ABC News' ranking at No. 45 among the top 50 albums. As of 2025, the EP maintains relevance in indie , with tracks like "The Simple Plan" exceeding 60,000 on . This performance underscored its impact within indie circles, where fan engagement via platforms like and sustained its relevance without traditional label support.

Credits

Track Listing

The standard digital edition of The Simple Plan EP features five tracks, enhanced by guest appearances on select songs, with a total runtime of 13:43.
No.TitleFeaturingLength
1."The Simple Plan"2:49
2."Mad This Summer (bigtimmy11 remix)"2:46
3."B. T. G. G."Toby Leaman2:33
4."Don't Click the Link"Kim!2:39
5."August Is Falling"2:56
No alternate editions or bonus tracks are available, maintaining its format as a concise EP .

Personnel

The Simple Plan EP features as the central figure, handling lead vocals and guitar across all tracks while serving as the primary songwriter and producer, with selective collaborations adding distinct contributions to specific songs. Musicians
  • Pat Finnerty – lead vocals, guitar (all tracks)
  • Eric Slick – drums (track 5)
  • Toby Leaman – bass, backing vocals (track 3)
  • Kim! – vocals (track 4)
Production and Additional Roles
  • – primary producer, mixing (tracks 1, 4)
  • BigTimmy11 – mixing, remix (track 2)
  • – production, mixing (track 5), bass (track 5)
  • J. Gonzo – lyrics video (track 5)

References

  1. https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/album/the-simple-plan-ep
  2. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-simple-plan-ep/1642733778
  3. https://craigreviewsmusic.com/2022/09/04/august-is-falling-the-simple-plan-ep-review/
  4. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mysterious_pop-punk_band_august_is_falling_releases_self-titled_single_announces_debut_ep.html
  5. https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/music/august-is-falling-news-54790/
  6. https://www.guitarworld.com/features/pat-finnerty-what-makes-this-song-stink
  7. https://www.fastcompany.com/90814928/meet-the-youtuber-who-struck-it-big-by-breaking-down-the-songs-he-hates
  8. https://genius.com/August-is-falling-simple-plan-lyrics
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9yswswxCuw
  10. https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/
  11. https://www.discogs.com/artist/10774687-Patrick-Finnerty-2
  12. https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/track/august-is-falling
  13. https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/track/b-t-g-g-feat-toby-leaman
  14. https://music.apple.com/us/song/btgg-feat-toby-leaman/1642733793
  15. https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/track/dont-click-the-link-feat-kim
  16. https://music.apple.com/us/song/dont-click-the-link-feat-kim/1642733795
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-9fyRnczzo
  18. https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/august-is-falling/august-is-falling-chords-4332452
  19. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-simple-plan-ep/1642733778
  20. https://genius.com/August-is-falling-august-is-falling-lyrics
  21. https://genius.com/August-is-falling-mad-this-summer-lyrics
  22. https://genius.com/August-is-falling-btgg-lyrics
  23. https://genius.com/August-is-falling-dont-click-the-link-lyrics
  24. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/august-is-falling/1642733787
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp4bfK3xqNk
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHS71Ep3ATk
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRNN3V3PVDs
  28. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/review-50-best-albums-2022/story?id=95172844
  29. https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/pat-finnerty-august-is-falling-what-makes-this-song-stink/
  30. https://www.seriousbusinessmusic.com/projects/august-is-falling-btgg-drumsmix
  31. https://open.spotify.com/album/1642733778
  32. https://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/m2022.php
  33. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/august-is-falling/the-simple-plan-ep/
  34. https://open.spotify.com/track/1IVrXg12fJvBSrBaT6V0mN
  35. https://music.apple.com/us/song/mad-this-summer/1642733789
  36. https://augustisfalling.bandcamp.com/track/mad-this-summer-bigtimmy11-remix
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