54.40, one of the most popular bands in Canada, will celebrate their 30-year anniversary and Oktoberfest during Molson Canadian's Rocktoberfest Haus Party Saturday, October 15 at CN Centre.
Brad Merritt, bass, and one of the original members of 54.40, said touring has slowed to 35 to 50 shows a year, about a third of what they used to play, and it's not the same grind it used to be.
"Every show is like a celebration," said Merritt. "We really enjoy it."
There's a legacy of gold and platinum albums for 54.40 featuring hit songs like Baby Ran, I Go Blind and Ocean Pearl and the band has an outstanding reputation for their live performances that carries through to this day.
Merritt thought back to when the band first started out and recalls being in the touring van with four or five other guys and just never getting his way.
"You realize that it's much better to go with the flow than to rail against five other people," said Merritt. "And you sort of submerge into the group. That's part of the process of becoming and being a band."
There's many keys to maintaining a successful band and Merritt said getting along is certainly one of them.
"Rock 'n' roll's a team sport," Merritt quoted Dave Genn, keyboardist for 54.40. "And we're all team guys and Neil [Osborne, vocals, guitar, and founding member] leads that. We're very democratic."
The band has established itself and Merritt said he's very appreciative of how the band is received by audiences.
"It just gives you a feeling that what you do is important and has value and that's where the whole thing is right now and it's pretty easy to feel comfortable and satisfied with that," said Merritt.
It's been nine years since 54.40 has been in Prince George.
"I want to apologize for not getting up there sooner," said Merritt. "It remiss on our part and we're really looking forward to this. It will be a blow out, I guarantee you. Right now we have a brand new record out called Lost In The City and we'll feature three or four songs from that. And we're going to be doing the songs that people know and love and have grown up with and want to hear how the band plays them live. It's enough to make everyone happy. I find the happier we are, the happier our audience is and we feed off of each other and we look forward to that process."
Opening for 54.40 is local ska band Highball Riot, a popular dance band of Northern B.C.
The Haus Party includes great prizes, including concert tickets and two tickets and hotel
accommodations to the Ultimate Hockey Road Trip to see the Vancouver Canucks,
During the show there is limited tables and chairs on the floor. Rocktoberfest is open to patrons 19 years and older. Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets or call 1-855-985-5000.
Order on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca.
