Interviewed by Brian Rademacher
Date: November 2010

Brian Rademacher: Hey Salvadore, man that is hard for me to say since I knew you so long as Paul. Why the change in names?

Salvadore Poe: Hi Brian, it’s nice to hear from you. I changed my name while living in Sweden. I wrote an album of bossa nova jazz music for a Swedish artist and wanted a nom de plume for it. The album is called "Lisa Ekdahl sings Salvadore Poe". After the album the name just stuck. Now it is my legal name.

Brian Rademacher: It’s been 15+ years since SPREAD EAGLE. Do you miss that time in your career?

Salvadore Poe: No, I don’t miss that. Since then many other things have happened and I take it all as it comes. This time right now is always the best time and in fact is always the only time.

Brian Rademacher: What was the hardest thing during your time in SPREAD EAGLE?

Salvadore Poe: I’m sure there may have been some difficult moments and circumstances but to be honest, I don’t recall any difficulties. I never dwell on those things and all is perfect as it is always.

Brian Rademacher: What have you been up to for the last few years?

Salvadore Poe: I spend a lot of time in India. Right now I am in Marin County, California. Over the last several years there have been some music projects but my main interest has been spiritual inquiry. But mostly I am just enjoying a simple happy life.

Brian Rademacher: Have you heard Ray West’s new project APW and if so what do you think?

Salvadore Poe: I haven’t seen his project. I heard of it and I hope that he is doing well with it.

Brian Rademacher: How about Rob DeLuca? That guy is all over the place and has made a great name for himself. Have you seen him or talked with him at all recently?

Salvadore Poe: I am in touch with Rob on occasion. I saw him recently in New York. Yes, he seems to be doing well and being involved in some fun projects. I am very happy for him and we are still good friends.

Brian Rademacher: Has anyone heard anything from Tommi Gallo?

Salvadore Poe: No, no one can get in touch with him. I hope he is well though.

Brian Rademacher: After playing those slicing guitar riffs in SPREAD EAGLE you are now much more laid back. I am not saying that’s a bad thing because the track "Ordinary Life" (off "Weightless") is killer and in the mold of John Lennon. How come you never stepped out in front for a song with SPREAD EAGLE?

Salvadore Poe: Thank you very much! I’m happy you like that tune. At that time I didn't consider myself a singer. And also, although I wrote all of the music for SPREAD EAGLE, I wrote very few lyrics. I didn't feel like I wanted to say anything in words back then. It wasn't until I wrote the bossa album that I wrote lyrics and then later really when I wrote "Weightless" that I had something to say that I wanted to actually sing myself.

Brian Rademacher: Back in the day even when we hung out you seemed somewhat distant. Were you involved in any drugs back then?

Salvadore Poe: I have always been laid back. I don’t know if you equate that with distant. It’s okay if you do. I’ve done everything in my life. ;-)

Brian Rademacher: So what is the interest and fascination with the country of India?

Salvadore Poe: This is a long story and I could talk endlessly about it. How can I sum it up briefly? I had an epiphany one day in 1997. I stopped everything I was doing to inquire into what is ultimately true. It consumed my whole life. That led me to India, where this kind of inquiry is very much supported. I was a very intense meditator for years there. I fell in love with the country and lifestyle and lived there for several years. I still spend almost half my time there.

Brian Rademacher: You seem very at peace with yourself is that because of Religion?

Salvadore Poe: It is because I came to know what is truly valuable and what is not. It is not because of religion. I am not and never have been religious.

Brian Rademacher: When was the last time you played a SPREAD EAGLE riff on your guitar?

Salvadore Poe: 1996.

Brian Rademacher: What is the one thing that pisses Salvadore Poe off?

Salvadore Poe: I don’t get too pissed off these days. But I will say that I do find the greed and meanness of many of the politicians, pundits and financial institutions very distasteful. Fortunately, my life has moved in the direction of being unattached to all of that. You could say that I am off of that grid.

Brian Rademacher: And what thing makes you the most happy?

Salvadore Poe: Abiding as my true nature.

Brian Rademacher: Do you still hear from SPREAD EAGLE fans?

Salvadore Poe: I have heard from some over the years and it is always nice. The internet is a wonderful tool of communication.

Brian Rademacher: What was your favorite song during your SPREAD EAGLE days?

Salvadore Poe: "Dead of Winter"

Brian Rademacher: Do you ever think about having children?

Salvadore Poe: No, that is not something I have ever been compelled towards.

Brian Rademacher: What is your feeling about the world we live in at this time?

Salvadore Poe: The world is perfect; I have no gripe with it. We can all point to many crazy things that are going on but it is how it is as long as we humans are as we are. The solution to the so called ‘problems’ is not to be found in the political and social methods that we have tried endlessly and unsuccessfully. If they were the solution it would have worked a long time ago. The way is individual change and it is inward, not outward.

Brian Rademacher: Are you working on new material now or any other projects coming?

Salvadore Poe: I haven’t been writing in the last couple of years. The last stuff I wrote was the album "Weightless", including the song you mentioned. I have been helping a friend produce some of his songs recently.

Brian Rademacher: Why did SPREAD EAGLE breakup?

Salvadore Poe: I felt that it was time to move on. The music climate had changed by the time we came out and there was little audience for what we were doing. If we had come out a couple years earlier it might have been different.

Brian Rademacher: Do you feel SPREAD EAGLE accomplished its goal?

Salvadore Poe: I think we did what we were able and capable of doing. I don’t know what goal we accomplished. We just tried to make a good album, which I think we did for the most part.

Brian Rademacher: And do you think you let fans down by not continuing to play metal/rock music?

Salvadore Poe: I really don’t know about that, but I have always been touched by the people who have contacted me and even so many years later have expressed appreciation for that music. Also by many of the comments I’ve seen online.

Brian Rademacher: The rumor has it there might be a Birch Hill reunion next year with SPREAD EAGLE taking part. Will you be part of that or has there been any talk at least for a one-off show type thing?

Salvadore Poe: I spoke with Rob about that, as he is the person organizing it. I won’t be joining that. I’ll be in India. But I wish them always great fun and happiness and also to everyone who comes to the shows.

Brian Rademacher: Salvador it’s been great and I really appreciate your time. Would you like to say anything in closing?

Salvadore Poe: Thanks for the interest in the interview. They were good questions. I hope my answers are satisfactory. I checked out your site and it looks great! You have really been doing a lot of great work. I hope it is all going well for you.