Hey, there's a lead guitarist under the name of "Adventure Dan", the drummer takes care of most, if not all, lead vocals, and they've been working on their debut album for a period of thirty years??? Oh, yeah, add to this the band name of 'Supernal Endgame' and you know you're in for a interesting read. "Touch The Sky" is a rather impressive Progressive Rock debut and it's been recently released by ProgRock Records (where else?).  It's sort of 'old skool' Prog-Rock, Symphonic Rock, in the fine tradition of Genesis, Kansas, Kerry Livgren's A.D., Jimmy Hotz, etc, etc. It's the first of a two-volume tribute of sorts to the act of worshipping the divine. What follows is a quick chat with Supernal Endgame's band leader, main songwriter, guitarist/keyboardist: JOHN EARGLE...

How has the reaction to the new album been?

Surprisingly well from what we can tell. We haven't even reached the first quarter since the release, so I don't know how sales are coming along, but reviews have been positive for the most part and people have been very supportive. We are the current artist of the month at Power of Prog and download sales of the album were in the top five at Mindawn for about three weeks.

'Thirty years in the making' - why the long delay?

That's not exactly the most accurate statement about us. Rob and I have been playing together since we were kids (about thirty years ago) and have done several projects and recordings together. We both played with Dan back in 1994. The statement makes us sound older than we are, and we're already old enough. This particular band started around 2001. We had a revolving door with some members, but the three of us were the constants, so we decided to finish all recordings as a trio.

How did the project get its name?

Well, I wanted to just call it Endgame, but a couple bands already had that moniker. After researching several words to go with it that would communicate the spiritual meaning, it came down to "supernal" or "cosmic". We figured that "cosmic" was a bit of an overused term and that "supernal" would make people think, wonder and perhaps research the meaning.

Are you playing music in the CCM tradition of Jimmy Hotz? (cult prog-album from 1980)

I definitely would not call our music CCM (not that I'd mind if that industry recognized and embraced us). We are merely playing and expressing who we are. Life's too short to be anything else. That's what I believe Jimmy did as well. I had that album of his way back and liked it. It was one of the few "christian" albums that utilized prog and art rock forms. Kerry Livgren's AD soon followed, but those last few Kansas albums with Kerry were already doing what we're doing now.

There's no such thing as "christian" music, merely christian musicians?

Yes! I agree whole heartedly. That's like saying that a christian athlete plays "christian football" or whatever. We are christians who play music, and I believe that God created it all. Now our message certainly comes from a christian worldview, so anything we say, even if it is not of a religious nature, could be called "christian", I suppose. We just don't try to act religious in what we do, but we are in no way ashamed of our faith or in expressing it. Again, life is too short.

Any favourite songs on "Touch The Sky" and why?

"Still Believe". It is the most exciting arrangement and I am also proud of the melody and its deceptively simple sounding modulations. The instrumental section has many of the elements I love about prog: odd time signatures that change every few bars, an Eddie Jobson sounding violin lead, a jazzy lead guitar that I played and then a ripping lead from Dan that I wish I had played. It all ascends into a lush melodic section that has it's own developments until it returns to the rocking intro theme. We are presently recording a few more pieces in this vein for the second volume.

Inform us (the readers) about John Eargle and your background.

I am just an average prog rock guy that grew up in Suburbia and was into bands like Rush when growing up. I was also athletic which contributed much to my psyche. I have played in bands for a couple decades, but they were all pretty much below the radar screen since we tended to play prog originals. I pretty much live, eat and breathe music whether it be listening, playing, composing, recording, or just coming up with ideas while driving, etc. I'm not a great engineer (since I'm not a techie at heart), but I love to produce and arrange. I studied theology and have been pretty active in various ministries as both a staffer and a volunteer for years. Ultimately, my life is defined by my relationship with my Creator. I wish I was better in many ways, like being more disciplined, but I'm working on that.

Who are your influences and heroes (music-wise)?

Many. Eddie Jobson, Kerry Livgren, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, all the usual suspects in classic prog bands or great song writers. I'm a fan of great virtuosic musicians, but my heroes are generally composers or song writers.

What 3 words describe you best?

1) committed; 2) honorable; 3) creative. At least I hope they describe me.

You are in a balloon with Axl Rose, Gene Simmons, Tipper Gore and Simon Cowell - who would you throw out as ballast and why?

Myself, because I couldn't bear listening to any combination of the remaining three. :-)

What's your favourite 1980's album? (or albums)

It Bites - "Once Around the World", Eddie Jobson - "The Green Album", Saga - "Worlds Apart", Yes - "Drama", Icehouse - "Man Of Colors", Rush - "Hold Your Fire", Jane Siberry - "No Borders Here", Alan Holdsworth - "IOU", Mike Rutherford- "Smallcreep's Day", AD - "Art Of the State", Kerry Livgren - "Seeds Of Change", Peter Gabriel - "So", Tons of others.

What is your guilty secret?

I like some songs by ABBA and The Carpenters.

What's the best thing about being a musician?

The chicks. :-) Seriously, it's hearing your creation that's been in your head finally realized when recorded.

What's the worst thing about being a musician?

Having to depend on or compromise with people you collaborate with. Of course this can be the best part at times as well.

What song do you identify with the most?

This might be different every day. For now, "Monkeys At the Zoo" by Charlie Peacock.

What is the best TV theme tune ever?

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

What are your future plans for Supernal Endgame?

We are going to be a part of a Flower Kings tribute on the Musea label and a Yes tribute on the Mellow label. (The songs "The Flower King" and "Parallels" respectively). Both of these should be available by year's end. We presently have a new song out on The Haiti Project which is not available anywhere else. Our next album, "Touch the Sky Volume II" is about two thirds finished. We also have other songs and older recordings that may appear in an unofficial release capacity in the days ahead. Beyond that, much of our third album has been written and conceived which we feel will completely blow the doors off the prog universe. :-) We plan on continuing on as long as people will listen, and if not, we'll create music for ourselves simply because we must.

If there's anything you'd like t o say, add, promote, please do:

We'd like to say thanks for those who have checked us out. For those who haven't, we realize that there a ton of bands out there, most of which are fairly unremarkable. We also realize that there are only so many hours in a day and we don't take your time for granted. We just ask you to give us a couple minutes out of your day and check out a song sample or two at:
http://www.myspace.com/supernalendgame Those who dig us just might be hooked immediately. We realize that we may not be everyone's bag, but when people actually take the time to listen, they often have enthusiastic responses. Peace.

interview by Urban 'Wally' Wallstrom  urban@rockunited.com 
6 May 2010
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