Since 1978, blues-rock band Mud Bay has dazzled music lovers across Canada with high-energy performances and on May 14 they’ll be celebrating their 44-year run at the Dream Cafe in Penticton.
The Vancouver-based group that once opened for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Ray Vaughan has only appeared in the Peach City once before.
It was on that night in 2018, however, when they realized the support they have from blues-rock fans all over the South Okanagan.
“The first time we came to Penticton, it was a sell-out,” said Mark Branscombe, Mud Bay’s lead guitarist. “That completely made our day because we had never been to that area before.”
The sold-out crowd at the Dream Cafe four years ago was eager to watch Mud Bay’s Penticton debut, after 40 years of knowing about their music and five previous studio albums.
This time around the rockers will be promoting their sixth album, Best Laid Plans, at the downtown Penticton venue.
Mud Bay — a five-piece group — credits four of its members as vocalists, with the lead singer known to be playing the harmonica during the duration of the set.
The band’s music has been featured on FM dials across the country, internet stations in Europe, as well as on satellite radio.
Mud Bay’s unique involvement in the blues-rock scene can be traced back to the 1970s, earning them the nickname “Canada’s Band That Won’t Go Away.”
“We started off in White Rock, trying to make our mark in the scene but we would get the cold shoulder from a lot of established people they thought we were too edgy,” Branscombe explained.
“It was a blend of punk rock and blues, and that would kind of alarm the blues club owners,” he added with a laugh.
People interested in attending Mud Bay’s 8 p.m. show at the Dream Cafe can buy tickets here.
“We’re looking forward to seeing our Okanagan friends again in Penticton again at the Dream,” Branscombe stated.
READ MORE: Ottawa-based rockers bring international accolades to Penticton stage
@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.