Nelson Wyatt, THE CANADIAN PRESS

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MONTREAL - There was more bass than brass Friday when Montreal rock band Simple Plan blasted out their version of "The Hockey Theme" for a new video.

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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Jeff Stinco, Sebastien Lefebvre and David Desrosiers, left to right of Simple Plan record a modern version of the Hockey Night in Canada theme song in a Montreal studio Friday, Oct. 10, 2008.

Where the version that has resounded in Canadian homes on "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcasts since 1968 was more of an anthem fit for a marching band, the new take is definitely an energetic, modern-sounding 2008 cut.

"We're keeping it as close as possible to the original but definitely trying to make it sound like it's Simple Plan playing it, so obviously drums and guitars make a difference," said a pumped guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre.

Media got to hear the group's version as they recorded it for a video to be used on TSN.

The network nabbed the rights to the song, which was the staple opening of CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada," when the Crown-owned broadcaster failed to put together a deal with composer Dolores Claman earlier this year.

Simple Plan will be the first in a series of Canadian artists to put their stamp on the tune, TSN says.

"We thought it would be really fun and dynamic to get popular Canadian bands to give us their version of Canada's second national anthem," said Mark Milliere, TSN's vice-president of production.

"The great thing about Simple Plan is not only are they talented musicians, they're also huge hockey fans. They're very passionate hockey fans so it's a great fit."

The band members were excited to get a chance to interpret the song.

"It's pretty big," Lefebvre said. "It's an honour and it's a big deal that they thought about us to do this."

Milliere said TSN officials heard the Simple Plan version last summer at the MuchMusic video awards and said everyone thought it was pretty cool. The band was then approached about doing it for TSN.

But purists need not worry, Milliere said.

"We will always open our hockey broadcasts with the classic, 54-piece Toronto Symphony Orchestra version of "The Hockey Theme" and we're just giving them another feel throughout the broadcast with a younger version."

TSN will kick off its slate of NHL games with the "classic" version of "The Hockey Theme" on Oct. 14 and the Simple Plan version will debut the next night during a showdown between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.

Lefebvre said the band worked for a long time on their version, tinkering with it when they did sound checks before concerts and even trying a final version out before an appreciative - albeit somewhat mystified - audience in Mexico.

"We didn't freak out," drummer Chuck Comeau said of the creative process. "We're just happy to do it and I think it really came out great so far, so we're excited about it."

Lefebvre agreed.

"It's just very rockin' - there's a lot of energy, it's a little bit faster," he said.

Comeau added: "It sounds modern - 2008-2009."

Both musicians acknowledged they are big hockey fans and follow many teams, although "Montreal is special," said Comeau.

Lefebvre noted that Comeau "plays whenever he gets a chance."

Since losing the rights to the song, CBC has launched a contest to come up with a new theme for its hockey broadcast. A winner will be announced on Saturday.

The Simple Plan members have had an eye on the contest but didn't venture any opinions on which submission should replace the classic version on the CBC.

"It's going to be hard to top," Lefebvre said.