害羞草研究所淚 got an ocean pearl.害羞草研究所�

All it takes is five words before sounds of trucking guitars and stomping bass flood the brain with a wave of nostalgia, transporting the listener through post-punk angst back to the early 害羞草研究所�90s.

Vancouver害羞草研究所檚 iconic alt-rockers 54-40 will conjure such images as they ignite the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage, both with old hits like Ocean Pearl and the group害羞草研究所檚 newest offerings.

54-40害羞草研究所檚 14th album Keep On Walking, which drops Nov. 24, falls on the heel害羞草研究所檚 of the group害羞草研究所檚 2016 release La Difference: A History Unplugged. From their formative years cutting their teeth in the Lower-Mainland dive-bar scene to their more than three decades of touring, selling more than a million records worldwide, their害羞草研究所檚 is a sound that has evolved.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 fairly eclectic in nature with a bunch of different types of songs,害羞草研究所� said 54-40 bass veteran Brad Merritt of Keep On Walking. 害羞草研究所淚 think the record moves from one place to another 害羞草研究所� there害羞草研究所檚 a thematic thread. We have a sense of melody. The words sort of hold together and the chorus ties together the verses. It害羞草研究所檚 kind of old-fashioned in a way.害羞草研究所�

Despite their success and sonic evolution, 54-40 has always remained true to their passion, Merritt said.

害羞草研究所淚t was a real exploration 害羞草研究所� we created our own sound,害羞草研究所� Merritt said. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 growth and regression, which is good, and then we push in another direction. It害羞草研究所檚 an exploration. When you don害羞草研究所檛 have the will to change and explore, you害羞草研究所檙e just dead artistically. We害羞草研究所檙e not interested in that.害羞草研究所�

Their unquenchable thirst for creative growth pushed the group to rework a selection of their hits spanning their 36 year history for their most recent release 害羞草研究所� a project 54-40 had never imagined.

害羞草研究所淲hat a privilege to be able to re-imagine our catalogue in a way that is equal parts fresh and familiar,害羞草研究所� said 54-40 pianist Dave Genn. 害羞草研究所淕iven the opportunity to frame Neil害羞草研究所檚 lyrics in a different light reminded me of the emotional connection between the words and music, and how that connection can be massaged in order to give the songs new moods and meaning. A thoroughly inspiring exercise and a labour of love.害羞草研究所�

When going into the studio to work on an album, that love is what 54-40 focusses on.

害羞草研究所淲hen we hand the thing in, the completed master, and everyone in the band is proud 害羞草研究所� that害羞草研究所檚 a successful record,害羞草研究所� Merritt said. 害羞草研究所淥therwise, you害羞草研究所檙e looking to external markers and you have no control over that. We want the validation from the people who like our music 害羞草研究所攖hat害羞草研究所檚 all good, but it害羞草研究所檚 not what we害羞草研究所檙e about. We害羞草研究所檝e never been about that.害羞草研究所�

But their hard work and dedication to the creative process, one of Merritt害羞草研究所檚 favourite parts of being a musician, translates to the stage where they have no choice but to embrace the music.

害羞草研究所淲hether it害羞草研究所檚 good, bad or ugly, no matter what happens, you害羞草研究所檙e out there,害羞草研究所� Merritt said of performing live. 害羞草研究所淚 really like it when the stage sound is really good, you just build this emotional momentum and there can be a moment of catharsis that happens.害羞草研究所�

In a few short months, Merritt and singer Neil Osbourne will have racked up 37 years with 54-40, and it害羞草研究所檚 that drive for creative evolution and the resulting catharsis that keeps them going.

害羞草研究所淚 can see right through to 2019. After that, I have no idea what the future holds,害羞草研究所� Merritt said, adding that the group will be on the road until then for La Difference and Keep On Walking.

害羞草研究所淪peaking for myself, I wouldn害羞草研究所檛 mind slowing down a bit here or there before speeding up (again).害羞草研究所�

54-40 rocks the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage Feb. 17, 2018. Tickets are available Oct. 14 for $69 all seats from the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .