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Host Peter McCully chats with Brad Merritt, bassist and one of the founding members of Canadian rock band 54-40 with Neil Osborne. The two met in High School in Tsawwassen.
The bandÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s first gig December 8th, 1980 was at the Palomino Club in Port Coquitlam, the night that John Lennon was shot in New York.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™m driving out there and I hear that on the radio that John LennonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s been shot. it was just a gut punch. As anybody that, loved music and loved the Beatles as I did, said Merritt.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜I donÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t think there was any greater context than what happened, but he ended, we started, it was something, I tell you, Peter, he is one of the most influential musicians. And he was an icon and he represented something that was bigger than himself and a true artist.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™
With his distinctive basslines and solid rhythm section work, Merritt has been an integral part of the bandÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s sound for over three decades.
In addition to the music, 54-40 has been active in social and political causes supporting organizations like amnesty International, the Canadian Cancer Society and Every WomanÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Health Clinic in Vancouver.
Merritt says, Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s what we do. I think that art can be separate from that, but on a human level, itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s something that people should involve themselves with. As a band, as an entity that has a chance to influence people or raise money, we like to do that.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™
McCully asked Merritt how he feels about the new artificial intelligence writing and chat programs and what possible effect could that have on the music industry, good or bad?
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™m sure that artists will use it as well. And thereÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s nothing we can do about it. ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s going to be the new reality. so I think acceptance is going to be important. And then how itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s actually utilized. I think people yearn for authenticity, And something is, generated by chat GPT. Eventually musicÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s going to be composed by it as well. And some of itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s going to be catchy and some of itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s going to be commercialized. I have a feeling that humanity will be able to sort this out. My point is that there has to be an essence of the artist in whateverÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s created, whether AI is used or isnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t used, it wonÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t stand the test of time.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™
ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s not just their musical range that makes 54-40 special. The bandÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s lyrics are also a major part of their appeal. Over the years, they have tackled a wide range of topics, from love and relationships to politics and social justice.
The podcast contains the new single to be released in the fall of 2023, the title track from the upcoming album Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜West Coast Band.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ The group will be touring extensively as well.
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(West Coast Band - Osborne / Merritt / Glenn / Johnson)