Fresh off the announcement they will be inducted into both the Canadian Music Industry and the Independent Music Hall of Fames, legendary alternative rockers 54-40 will take the stage at Maple Ridge’s ACT on Saturday, April 15.
Fans will hear a mix of classics and new material off the band’s upcoming album, Keep on Walking, which is slated for debut later this year.
Lead singer Neil Osborne said he’s excited to show what the band has been working on since last year’s acoustic compilation of their greatest hits called LA Difference: A History Unplugged.
“It’s kind of designed for more of a theatre or intimate setting because we do different arrangements for the songs,” Osborne said. “It’s not just strummin’ and drummin’ acoustics – it’s kind of a fun, alternative delivery of our songs.”
He called it a different vibe, but says the originality is still noticeable and fans still enjoy it. He believes classics like Ocean Pearl and One Day In Your Life still hold true to the test of time, even in a more acoustic environment.
“We do different arrangements of the songs, but they still hold up. The words still work, the melodies still work,” he said.
The group, which is comprised of Osborne on vocals and guitar, Brad Merrit on bass, Matt Johnson on drums and Dave Genn on guitar will inducted into the halls of fame later this year. Osborne called it a great honour and says he’s been pleasantly surprised at the amount of excitement it has generated.
“It’s a nice accolade and it’s also nice for the people who helped along the way and really believed in us,” he said. “A lot of people sending emails, a lot of phone calls. I’m happy for everyone.
