Performing in Langley next week is like coming home - albiet his home away from home - for Northern Pikes drummer Don Schmid.

The Prairie boy, and the rest of the Pikes entourage, are coming to town next Friday to perform at Cascades Casino's Summit Theatre.

There's a method to Schmid's madness - and concert scheduling - he told the Langley Advance.

Many of his visits to this community are arranged in the thick of winter. And this time, there just happens to be a concert in the mix, as well as family time.

Schmid has one brother and one sister living in Langley with their families, and another brother and his family in Surrey - all of them living in the area since 1969, and drawing the drummer out for many a Christmas and even a few summer holidays.

"I always have such a great time and enjoy the nice warm winter weather," he said. "Coming from Saskatoon, where it would be -40, it's an amazing feeling_" Schmid said.

The Saskatchewan-based band is now in its 28th year, and Schmid said despite it's diminishing size, is expected to bring some big sound to the Langley stage.

"We will be playing a good mixture of old tunes as well as some newer songs, we are now a three-piece band, which makes things fun on stage again, somehow the less is more theory rings true, we jam out more now than ever and it makes it interesting when you have to pay attention to what the others are doing," Schmid said.

Despite a six-year hiatus in the mid 1990s, Northern Pikes has been a longstanding presence on the Canadian music scene for almost three decades, earning "star" status with hits such as She Aint Pretty, Teenland, Things I Do For Money, Girl With A Problem, Believe, Hopes Go Astray, Dream Away, and Twister.

"Some songs have new arrangements so fans will be in for a good time hearing old favourites done in a new refreshing way," Schmid said, telling fans a little bit about what they can expect in next week's show.

The concert is being held at Cascades on Feb. 10. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show to follow at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $32.50, and available at www.ticketweb.ca or from the casino's guest services.