Vancouver Rock Icons 54-40 Celebrate 45 Years with New Album 'Porto'
Venerable Vancouver rock band 54-40 is demonstrating remarkable vitality as it enters its 45th year with the release of its 16th studio album, titled Porto. Formed in Tsawwassen in 1981 by frontman Neil Osborne, the group has steadfastly adhered to its original mission: creating records, performing live, and building a lasting career in rock music. This latest release serves as powerful evidence of their enduring success and artistic consistency.
A Band with Historic Roots and Contemporary Relevance
The band's distinctive name originates from the 54°40' boundary line established by the 1872 Oregon Treaty, a hotly contested demarcation between British North America and the United States. The phrase "54-40 or fight" became a rallying cry for American expansionists seeking greater territorial control. Osborne notes that this historical reference has gained renewed significance in recent political discourse.
"The slogan resurfaced in The New York Times when Trump revived discussions about the 51st state and manifest destiny," Osborne explained. "So the name remains relevant, and we hope it stays that way." As one of the few Canadian acts from the 1980s still actively recording and touring, 54-40 has established itself as a remarkably consistent presence in the national music landscape.
Recording in Portugal: A Creative and Practical Success
For Porto, the band collaborated once again with esteemed English engineer Warne Livesey, known for his work on seminal albums like Midnight Oil's Diesel and Dust and The The's Infected. The decision to record in Porto, Portugal, proved both creatively and practically advantageous. Osborne had initially considered studios worldwide, with Paris nearly becoming the recording location.
"Paris had responded with an appealing offer, but it cost a thousand euros per day compared to Porto's two hundred dollars," Osborne revealed. "We had some concerns about what we might find, but the Porto facility featured an amazing space with a school, a new Neve board, excellent equipment, and operated on a sensible nine-to-five schedule."
This structured approach allowed the band to work efficiently while still enjoying their surroundings. "The experience of making Porto was fantastic because the album seemed to write and record itself," Osborne reflected. "Being limited to eight-hour workdays meant we could actually spend time experiencing Portugal and connecting with each other. Alongside Warne and our manager Allen Moy, it created an ideal working environment."
Musical Process and Upcoming Tour
The recording sessions yielded tracks including Virgil, Running for the Fence, Die to Heaven, and Time Will Tell. Livesey emphasized capturing performances as live as possible, while Osborne found particular inspiration from a vintage 1960s Supro speaker he had recently acquired. The resulting eleven-song collection finds the band in peak form, ready to embark on another cross-Canada tour this summer.
As 54-40 prepares to traverse the nation's vast landscapes once again, Porto stands as testament to their remarkable longevity and ongoing creative vitality. From their historic namesake to their contemporary musical output, this Vancouver institution continues to deliver compelling rock music to dedicated fans across the country.
