By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
A band that calls Oliver home is getting the opportunity to return to the town’s grandest stage next week, and in return, the audience will be treated to classic rock covers and original songs delivered with energy and passion.
The Mudrats, a local youth rock band, will be in concert at the Venables Theatre on Wednesday, February 4. This show is part of a larger series of concerts called Venables Alive! Local Artist Series, giving musicians from Oliver, Osoyoos and the surrounding area a chance to perform in their own backyard.
Having gotten their start in 2023, The Mudrats have already done a number of shows at local events and festivals, including the Oliver Roots & Fruits Expo 2024, Oliver Sunshine Festival 2025, and annual South Okanagan Secondary School (SOSS) Rising Stars shows. They have even gotten to perform in larger locales, doing a recent Christmas concert in Penticton.
Their earliest history, as described by the band’s drummer, Rocky Toon, actually featured a concert at none other than the Venables Theatre.
“We played some Christmas tunes (there) all together, and it was really cool,” he recalls. “And so after that, that was when we kind of said, ‘yo, what if we keep doing this?’ “
Rocky, along with brother Ezra Toon and other band members Tommy Racz, Silas McAllister, Edwin Lee, and Sam Lee, were all brought together by his father, music teacher Stephen Toon, who has taught them all at SOSS. Along with another teacher, who saw that initial Venables performance, the group got encouragement to continue rehearsing and performing together.
The impact of having not just familial support, but guidance and education, is significant for Rocky.
“He literally taught us everything we know,” Rocky says. “Our passion, from him teaching us, grew from there because he is such an enthusiastic musician, he really encourages us all the time, and he’s super-enamoured with involving himself (with) the band, helping us in any way he can.”
Given that all Mudrats band members are still finishing school, it’s hard to predict what the future holds for the band.
“I’m graduating this year,” Rocky explains. “And all the other boys are in Grade 11.
“It’s getting pretty busy with school, and figuring out those aspects of senior years. And for me, I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do for post-secondary, and stuff like that… So honestly, we’re just kind of seeing where stuff goes.”
For Rocky, this just makes them appreciate the present-day even more.
“We love to take any great opportunities that we can fit perfectly into our schedules, what works for us.
“One thing we definitely want to get out is… we’ve been working on some originals, and our dad has a recording studio in the basement. So we definitely want to release an EP, or a short SP of some sort.”
And, of course, getting to perform as part of Venables Alive! is a very special moment in and of itself.
“We feel so lucky to be in that position,” Rocky says. “In Oliver as well, with the local artist series and Venables being able to support the artistry here in this town, it’s awesome.”
Tickets for The Mudrats’ concert at the Venables Theatre are $20 for adults, with a discounted student rate of $15 each. More details about the event, along with a Mudrats audition tape, can be found here.
