Illinois Entertainer February 2014 | Page 12

way they were written. It really depends; it's just us having fun. Sometimes this group of guys playing a song automatically changes it around. IE: With Kaleidoscope adding new material to choose from, the set list will be even tougher to pick. How do you work it? NM: Well, I lean on Mike a lot for that. He's like the set list master. He's great with that stuff. There are times where I they all really enjoy where I'm coming from spiritually, and it doesn't seem to be a problem at all. It's really great. Neal Morse IE: In the grand scheme of things of progressive rock, where do you see Transatlantic's place? NM: Wow, I don't know. Well, I guess we would be at the forefront of the resurgence, I suppose. 02•2014 question his set list, but it always turns out good, so what do I know? I usually have to eat my words. A lot of times I'll think it's too long, or too this, or too that, and it's usually good. He thinks it through. IE: Do you have a preference of playing the big expanded suites, or just the shorter songs? NM: I like them both. I love doing a good powerful short song, and I love doing a good powerful epic. It's all about the music in the moment. IE: You're very open about your religious spirituality. How much of it is reflected in Transatlantic's music? NM: I think quite a bit. They've always given me a lot of freedom. In fact they've never said anything about any of my lyrics. As far as asking me to change anything. So, it's really a blessing. I'm really blessed, and it seems like IE: Well, you've certainly paid your dues playing prog-rock when it wasn't the flavor of the month. And now, there really is a resurgence, and this music is finding a new audience on a daily basis. NM: Yeah, it's really cool. There are a lot of young people who are discovering prog, and it's great. It's going really good. Our new album is being really well received, and selling a lot, and the tour is doing great too. We're just really blessed. I'm amazed that I could be able to do music that I just love, music that I'm totally playing from my heart, and able to make a living doing that. And to be able to do it with all these great musicians is really amazing. It's just a dream come true, really. Transatlantic appears February 4th at The Arcada Theater, St. Charles Mark Kadzielawa 545 Penny Road • South Barrington IL • (847) 428-0562 • corner of Old Sutton & Penny Rd • www.pennyroadpub.com • Open until 4AM Deadend Comedy Night Penny Road Pub's SUPER BOWL PARTY! Food and Drink Specials! SUN FEB 2 SUPER BOWL PARTY THUR FEB 13 SAVING ABEL MON FEB 24 DEADEND COMEDY SUN FEB 2 Monday, Feb 24th 7:30pm-9:30pm DEADEND COMEDY on the Jäger Stage Monday, Feb 24th 4:30pm-10pm Nancy the Psychic Medium Coming Soon: Original Rock Fest All Day Long Groove King Medicine Hat Broonson Rock MONDAY THRU THURSDAY SPECIALS $1 1/2lb Angus Burger, $2 individual Cheese Pizza, $1 Hot Dog, all until 7:30 pm 50¢ Boneless Wings 2pm - 10pm (10 min) Video DJ Friday & Saturday after 1 AM "Main Level Bookings" CONTACT BOB at 847-668-7355 www.facebook.com/jbcinc [email protected] FRI FEB 7 SAT FEB 8 THUR FEB 13 FRI FEB 14 Penny Road's annual Current to Classic Rock Hits Current to Classic Rock Hits National Recording Artist Local Bands - Live Music SUPER BOWL PARTY Sacred Lies Saving Abel Rocking America Valentine's Showcase Food and Drink Specials! plus UFO Tribute Rock Bottom with TD Clark and Def Leppard Tribute Photograph RIPTD with Left of Reason plus Will of Man SAT FEB 15 FRI FEB 21 SAT FEB 22 FRI FEB 28 SAT MAR 1 Current to Classic Rock Hits Current to Classic Rock Hits Current to Classic Rock Hits Current to Classic Rock Hits Current to Classic Rock Hits Destination 8Trak Next Trash Can Deep Cut Position Symphony Face for Soul Radio Please Vitamins with and and Thin Lizzy Tribute Thick Lizzy ALL AGES SHOWS Friday & Saturday in the Underground Rock Room - contact George at 847-910-0405 - [email protected] 12 illinoisentertainer.com february 2014