Every B.C. local knows Ocean Pearl if they91裸聊视频檝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 band91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淭his one here91裸聊视频檚 going to be a very different show. It91裸聊视频檚 much smaller, more intimate, stripped down,91裸聊视频� said Merritt. 91裸聊视频淲hat motivates us is how do we make it more challenging, how do we make it interesting for ourselves.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淲hen you first start you91裸聊视频檙e just excited to get together to do it,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淭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 91裸聊视频榣et91裸聊视频檚 start a band91裸聊视频� and then you buy one and I don91裸聊视频檛 know what I91裸聊视频檓 doing and Neil doesn91裸聊视频檛 know what he91裸聊视频檚 doing.91裸聊视频�

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 Osborne91裸聊视频檚 relationship has also evolved over time. The long-time friends experienced a time of conflict at one point, Merritt called it 91裸聊视频渓ittle existential moments,91裸聊视频� questioning the band91裸聊视频檚 existence and whether it will go on.

91裸聊视频淣ow we91裸聊视频檙e joined at the hip, it91裸聊视频檚 something that91裸聊视频檚 been successful enough to keep on going,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 love him, you91裸聊视频檒l have to ask him if he feels the same way about me and he91裸聊视频檒l probably say something funny91裸聊视频� we91裸聊视频檙e like family.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淲hen you first start, the audience is essentially your age, they91裸聊视频檙e all 20,91裸聊视频� said Merritt.

After signing a contract with Warner Brothers, and when 54.4091裸聊视频檚 songs began playing on the radio, younger college fans started arriving at shows.

91裸聊视频淚 found as time went on the sweet spot is 10 years younger, and it still is, but the thing is it91裸聊视频檚 flattening out,91裸聊视频� said Merritt. 91裸聊视频淲e see the audience getting steadily younger, once again there are people who can91裸聊视频檛 get their head around pop music, or hip-hop and they91裸聊视频檙e looking for something alternative or independent. (There91裸聊视频檚 also) a generation where their parents grew up on this and now they91裸聊视频檙e old enough to come and see us.91裸聊视频�

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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