Every B.C. local knows Ocean Pearl if they鈥檝e listened to a radio station, but 91大黄鸭 residents are getting a fresh twist on the song.

Rock group 54.40 is providing its Central Okanagan audience with nostalgic songs stripped down to the basics as part of its A History Unplugged Tour, at the 91大黄鸭 Community Theatre March 31.

Bassist Brad Merritt has been part of the band since its inception in East Vancouver nearly 40 years ago.

The rockers will be playing a different tune in 91大黄鸭 compared to his last performance at the Canadian Culinary Championships in February, taking songs from the band鈥檚 greatest hits record La Difference: A History Unplugged.

The members decided to put new twists on old songs with violin, banjo, mandolin and other instruments for an intimate sound.

鈥淭his one here鈥檚 going to be a very different show. It鈥檚 much smaller, more intimate, stripped down,鈥� said Merritt. 鈥淲hat motivates us is how do we make it more challenging, how do we make it interesting for ourselves.鈥�

Founders Merritt and singer Neil Osborne have come a long way since their first performance Dec. 31, 1980. Driven by the sound of 1970s punk music, Merritt started with humble beginnings.

鈥淲hen you first start you鈥檙e just excited to get together to do it,鈥� he said.

鈥淭here was an intent that was there (in punk music), an urgency and I was of that age that I could feel like I was a part of that. You rent the bass guitar and say 鈥榣et鈥檚 start a band鈥� and then you buy one and I don鈥檛 know what I鈥檓 doing and Neil doesn鈥檛 know what he鈥檚 doing.鈥�

Over time, the group became craftier at creating songs. Merritt found confidence with his bass line and where he fit into songs.

Last year, 54.40 was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and its latest album, Keep On Walking, was released in January.

Merritt and Osborne鈥檚 relationship has also evolved over time. The long-time friends experienced a time of conflict at one point, Merritt called it 鈥渓ittle existential moments,鈥� questioning the band鈥檚 existence and whether it will go on.

鈥淣ow we鈥檙e joined at the hip, it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 been successful enough to keep on going,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 love him, you鈥檒l have to ask him if he feels the same way about me and he鈥檒l probably say something funny鈥� we鈥檙e like family.鈥�

The fans have also been changing and growing with the musicians throughout their careers.

鈥淲hen you first start, the audience is essentially your age, they鈥檙e all 20,鈥� said Merritt.

After signing a contract with Warner Brothers, and when 54.40鈥檚 songs began playing on the radio, younger college fans started arriving at shows.

鈥淚 found as time went on the sweet spot is 10 years younger, and it still is, but the thing is it鈥檚 flattening out,鈥� said Merritt. 鈥淲e see the audience getting steadily younger, once again there are people who can鈥檛 get their head around pop music, or hip-hop and they鈥檙e looking for something alternative or independent. (There鈥檚 also) a generation where their parents grew up on this and now they鈥檙e old enough to come and see us.鈥�

Joined by guitarist Dave Genn and drummer Matt Johnson, 54.40 will perform at the 91大黄鸭 Community Theatre, March 31.

Tickets are available online at .

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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