54-40

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Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada (1981 – present)

54•40 is an alternative rock band which formed in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada in 1981. For most of their career, the band consisted of Neil Osborne (vocals), Phil Comparelli (guitar, trumpet, vocals), Brad Merritt (bass) and Matt Johnson (drums). Comparelli left the band in 2005 and was replaced by former Matthew Good Band guitarist Dave Genn. The band’s best known songs include “Baby Ran”, “Ocean Pearl” and “I Go Blind”, the latter of which was covered by Hootie & The Blowfish. The band takes their name from the slogan “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight,” coined to express the expansionist agenda of James K. Polk’s presidency, intent upon controling a contested U.S.-Canada border area.

The group formed in 1981 as a trio consisting of Brad Merritt (bass), Ian Franey(drums), and Neil Osborne (vocals). In 1983, Phil Comparelli was added on guitar and vocals, and Franey was replaced by Darryl Neudorf. Matt Johnson replaced Neudorf on drums by 1986. The band announced in March of 2005 that Comparelli had officially passed on guitar duties to Dave Genn, formerly of Matthew Good Band.

The band’s self-titled second album, released in 1986, began to attract attention from radio and record buyers across Canada, with the single “Baby Ran” gaining significant radio airplay. The band’s third album, Show Me, became their commercial breakthrough in Canada, with the hits “One Gun” and “One Day in Your Life”.

Although the band was popular on college radio in the United States, they never had a commercial breakthrough — 1992’s Dear Dear was their first album not to have a U.S. release. Ironically, though, it was their best-selling album in Canada, leading to a new U.
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Top Albums

  • Smilin' Buddha Cabaret
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  • Sweeter Things: A Compilation
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  • Yes To Everything
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  • Casual Viewin'
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  • klinikromantik

    54-40 = 40 YAPARRRRRR !

    last week
  • shareeff

    They used to get on the radio in Ontario back in the '90s. Love 'em. "Don Quixote" FTW.

    October 2011
  • dundee12

    I just moved to BC from Ontario.....never heard of 54-40, they're never played on Ontario radio. 54-40 must be a "BC Tragically Hip".

    December 2010
  • DrSickRhymes

    54-40=14, problem solved!

    August 2010
  • giraffebreath

    • not - Please redirect! I'm not trying to be annoying but it actually IRKS me.

    October 2009
  • findtammy

    i am in london ontario and was shocked to see that 54/40 is playing at a very very small bar in the east end on august 7. i haven't seen them perform in years, but they put on a great show.

    August 2009
  • soad9000

    im sure if you live in southern ontario its easy to grab their stuff, theyre more of a local band

    April 2009
  • IRONICtypo

    @salemek90: that's the Hootie cover.

    April 2009
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