Every B.C. local knows Ocean Pearl if they香蕉视频直播檝e listened to a radio station, but Kelowna 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 Kelowna 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 Kelowna compared to his last performance at the Canadian Culinary Championships in February, taking songs from the band香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淭his one here香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a very different show. It香蕉视频直播檚 much smaller, more intimate, stripped down,香蕉视频直播� said Merritt. 香蕉视频直播淲hat motivates us is how do we make it more challenging, how do we make it interesting for ourselves.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淲hen you first start you香蕉视频直播檙e just excited to get together to do it,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淭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 香蕉视频直播榣et香蕉视频直播檚 start a band香蕉视频直播� and then you buy one and I don香蕉视频直播檛 know what I香蕉视频直播檓 doing and Neil doesn香蕉视频直播檛 know what he香蕉视频直播檚 doing.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播檚 relationship has also evolved over time. The long-time friends experienced a time of conflict at one point, Merritt called it 香蕉视频直播渓ittle existential moments,香蕉视频直播� questioning the band香蕉视频直播檚 existence and whether it will go on.

香蕉视频直播淣ow we香蕉视频直播檙e joined at the hip, it香蕉视频直播檚 something that香蕉视频直播檚 been successful enough to keep on going,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚 love him, you香蕉视频直播檒l have to ask him if he feels the same way about me and he香蕉视频直播檒l probably say something funny香蕉视频直播� we香蕉视频直播檙e like family.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淲hen you first start, the audience is essentially your age, they香蕉视频直播檙e all 20,香蕉视频直播� said Merritt.

After signing a contract with Warner Brothers, and when 54.40香蕉视频直播檚 songs began playing on the radio, younger college fans started arriving at shows.

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

Joined by guitarist Dave Genn and drummer Matt Johnson, 54.40 will perform at the Kelowna 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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