54•40 is a legendary Canadian rock band that emerged from the vibrant music scene of Vancouver, British Columbia. Formed in 1981, the band's name is derived from the westward expansionist James K. Polk (11th President of the USA) political slogan “54-40 or Fight”! Over the years, they have earned a reputation as one of Canada's most enduring and influential rock acts, captivating audiences with their distinctive sound, thought-provoking lyrics, and powerful performances.
The band’s core members are Neil Osborne (vocal’s, guitar and Brad Merritt (bass). Both high school friends with a shared passion for music, they were later joined by Phil Comparelli (guitar) and Matt Johnson (drums), who became important contributors to the band’s signature sound. After Phil Comparelli's departure from the band, Dave Genn joined 54•40 as the new guitarist. His addition to the lineup brought a fresh perspective and musical talent that complemented the band's existing sound. Dave Genn had already gained recognition in the Canadian music scene through his work with the band Matthew Good Band. With Dave Genn on board, 54•40 continued to create memorable music and deliver electrifying performances. Their chemistry as a group remained strong, and they embarked on successful tours, both nationally and internationally, further solidifying their status as one of Canada's most cherished rock acts.
In 1984, 54•40 released their self-titled album debut, which included tracks like "Baby Ran" and "I Go Blind." These songs garnered significant video exposure on Much Music and quickly established the band as a promising force in the modern rock scene.
In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the band achieved even greater success with albums like "Show Me" (1987) and "Dear Dear" (1992), “Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret” (1994). The latter featured the hit single "Ocean Pearl," which became one of their most recognizable and beloved songs.
Your current North American tour entitled West Coast Band, kicks off tonight on Jan 24 in my neck of the woods, up in beautiful Muskoka, in Huntsville Ontario at Deerhurst Resort, then traced across North America with a stop in Lindsay’s Academy Theatre near where the WIre Megazine is based, all in support of your latest recent album and single, West Coast Band, to go along with your just released stormin’ Live At The El Mocambo album.
“At the time, seeing local west coast bands like DOA, The Subhumans, Pointed Sticks and Young Canadians playing live, making records and doing it their way was a huge signal that we could do this too!” says Brad Merritt.
Since your debut, New Year’s Eve performance back in 1980, 54-40 has sported 3 certified platinum albums and a Gold certified album, have been nominated for eight Juno Awards, and between 1996 and 2016, 54-40 were among the top 150 best-selling Canadian artists in Canadian history and are among the top 50 best-selling bands in the world. This is pretty amazing to know that their tight professional sound started when you were all in your early to late teens, mind blowing.
54-40 has been telling Canada where they came from and where they’re going for the last 40+ years. Now, it’s time for lead vocalist and guitarist Neil Osborne, bassist Brad Merritt, guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Dave Genn, and drummer Matt Johnson (with the help of keyboardist David “Oz” Osborne) to reveal their band culture in a collection of songs called ‘West Coast Band.’ Through self-referential and often very literal stories, the songs explore bizarre shenanigans, odd dynamics, and personalities of its members.
‘West Coast Band.’ Is the first single offering from the forthcoming album of the same name, out October 6, 2023. The track is an autobiographical origin story of 54•40. The sound and production pay homage to the local Vancouver music scene that inspired Neil and Brad to form 54•40 and commit to a creative life.
“At the time, seeing local west coast bands like DOA, The Subhumans, Pointed Sticks and Young Canadians playing live, making records and doing it their way was a huge signal that we could do this too!” says Brad Merritt.
Recorded remotely during the lock down, 54•40 occupied their time like many of their contemporaries; writing and recording trading files until the songs took shape. The track was produced by Neil Osborne and Dave Genn and mixed by west coast producer Adam Kasper (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) with a superb video directed by Millan Curry-Sharples
54•40’s ‘West Coast Band’ is really about being in a rock n roll band, writing some songs, recording them, and getting in the van and taking the show on the road. Something that 54•40 has been doing for 40+years.
54•40's Remaining West Coast Band Tour 2025 Dates
Fri Feb 28 2025 Montana’s Brier @ 9:00 p.m. Kelowna, BC, Canada
Sat Mar 22 2025 Big Rock Pub @ 8:00 p.m.
Indio, CA, United States
Fri Mar 28 Fri
Club Regent Event Centre @ 7:30 p.m.
The Pursuit of Happiness
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Mar 29 Sat
Deerfoot Inn & Casino @ 9:00 p.m.
Calgary, AB, Canada
Jun 21 Sat
Beaumont Music Festival 2025 @ 11:00 a.m.
The Odds, Radioactive, Samantha Lee, The Blue Mules, Grapes of Wrath
Beaumont, AB, Canada
Jul 18 Fri
BAYFEST 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
Loverboy, Lou Gramm, Big Wreck, Chilliwack, Kim Mitchell, Streetheart, Headpins, TOQUE, Harlequinn, & Toronto
Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
Aug 8 Fri
Rock The Kootenays Festival 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
Colin James, Men Without Hats, Haywire, Honeymoon Suite, Five Man Electrical Band, Odds, Saga, Sweet, Streetheart, & The Trews
Cranbrook, BC, Canada
Aug 15 Fri
Delta Bessborough Gardens @ 6:00 p.m.
Asia, Honeymoon Suite. Coney Hatch. Haywire, Odds, Streetheart, Headpins,
Tommy DeCarlo, Steve Augeri
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Aug 17 Sun
Delta Bessborough Gardens @ 3:30 p.m.
Asia. Haywire. Strange Attraction
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Stay in tune with 54-40 by visiting their platforms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbZvM4JXdjM&feature=youtu.be
https://open.spotify.com/track/2Dosb3F1rWZMfAjQcRWe65?si=9be085f6e676445a&nd=1&dlsi=02acf71f36e94a74
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