54-40 will be belting out a number of hits, including "Baby Ran" on July 15 on the grandstand at Colonial Days. - Photo Submitted
By Katie Ryan
“We see it as a milestone,” chuckled 54-40 co-founder Brad Merritt, referring to the band’s upcoming 30th anniversary. “And worthy of celebration.”
For decades the Canadian quartet, which has undergone few personnel changes, have been rocking and building an impressive catalogue of hit songs. And to commemorate the 30 year milestone Merritt said the band aims to play as many concerts across Canada from July of this year until next. In their effort to rock cross-country, 54-40 will be playing the grandstand at Colonial Days on July 15.
Merritt and Neil Osborne began penning songs in October of 1980, only to hit the stage a few months later for the first time.
“John Lennon was murdered in December of 1980 and that same day that happened, we played a little open mic night in a small club in a (Vancouver) suburb and then on Dec. 31, 1980, we played our first show,” Merritt recalled.
“There are very few fans from 30 years ago, even though they might be of that age. We’ve been able to generate more fans and obviously lose them along the way as music has become less important to them or whatever it is. We consciously don’t discriminate and we try to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and we are all there for the right reasons, including us.
“It’s a great feeling that I think we probably took for granted 15 years ago but now we are coming up to 30 years in the band. It’s something that we now celebrate and appreciate. It’s a wonderful thing.”
While the set list, or rather “hit list,” for 54-40’s Colonial Days concert will be a matter of “how fast can we get to the next song” so that everyone’s favourite tune is heard, the band switched gears earlier this spring when it came to performing.
“We had been doing two sets which is helpful. The first set, we would do the Green Record in its entirety. The one with “Baby Ran” and “ I Go Blind” and in the next set would play at least one song from every other record, then we would play one new song,” said Merritt.
“Loved that. We loved that and the people who saw us loved it. The longer we play, the more latitude we have, the easier it is for us. It doesn’t get stale – only if you let it – you have control over that.”
For a band with so many years under their belt in the music scene, combatting complacency is a challenge Merritt said he and bandmates Osborne, Dave Genn and Matt Johnson are up to.
“The challenge is sort of in the focus and energy department. Generally what we do is wait,” he laughed. “We do our own things and then there becomes a need within us to create, so we become compelled to do it. That provides the focus and we are all energized because we want to be there and do it.”
The boys of 54-40 have felt “compelled” lately to create and are in the midst of working on a new album as well as tour. Merritt said fans can expect the record to drop early next year.
“There will definitely be some carry over aspect,” said Merritt referring to the band’s last album Northern Soul. “Generally speaking I think it’s a bit more raw than what Northern Soul was.”
Merritt said Northern Soul was created in the spur of the moment at a studio.
“We went in with no songs and we spent five weeks in what’s now called the Art’s Chapel, but it was really at the time a funeral home in the downtown Eastside Vancouver,” he laughed. “I don’t think we will ever make another record like that.”