March 2005 - Band breakups can be traumatic for long-time fans, but thankfully for those of Orange County, Calif. ska-punkers The O.C. Supertones, there's almost a year to absorb the shock.

Last November, the group, who made their recording debut in 1996 on Tooth & Nail Records, announced that 2005 would be their final year together.

So, following a successful career that included many of the hallmarks of success in the music business ­ radio and MTV spins, Grammy and Dove Award nominations and wins ­ why did the Supertones decide to pack it in?

Lead singer and songwriter Matt Morginsky chalks much of the decision up to the group's high turnover rate. Out of the current six Supertones, only three could be considered original members.

"It's hard when so many members leave," Morginsky explains. "We've had "6 members in and out. Not all of them played on records. We feel like our music's still vital ­ we miss them more from a personality [standpoint]."

And Morginsky attributes the majority of those departures to growing up and settling down.

"Also, we're like, old," he laughs. "[Trombonist] Dan [Spencer]'s 30; I'm 28. Dan's got a baby on the way. All of us are married now. I think it's tough for people to fathom how difficult it is to be married and tour."

However, Morginsky doesn't regret his time spent on the road with the Supertones.

"Looking back and thinking of all the places I've gotten to go, and the great people I've become friends with, it's just awesome," he says. "I feel great about what we've done. Whoever cares has some music to listen to. We really rocked for a long time. [But] our focus has always been to glorify God in what we do, and of course, that's the most important part."

In addition to bidding a face-to-face farewell to devotees, the Supertones are also out in support of their first best-of collection, the recently-released Unite. Morginsky says it was difficult choosing which 20 tracks would make the set's cut, but the idea was to balance fan favorites with those of the band members, rather than just including "the hits."

"I don't know that we ever had many singles ­ we're more of an albums band," he explains. "It's hard when you've done so many records really. It's like, what songs do we not put on the record?"

However, as always, songs from every era of the Supertones' career are fair game in the live setting.

"We've always tried to include stuff from every record," Morginsky says.

Though he looks back very fondly on the Supertones' time in the sun, the singer is excited to begin the next phase of his life.

"After you've done it for so long, you're just kind of eager for something else," he says. "I want to get into speaking ­ apologetics for youth. I'd like to go to seminary. My wife and I want to be in overseas missions. My ultimate goal is to have a family."

But Morginsky doesn't plan to completely give up music ­ just the business side of it.

"I'll always be doing music in some capacity," he says. "I've just been writing with no purpose in mind. I'm always recording stuff on the eight-track in my basement. I've considered doing my own record. But I don't know if I'll pursue it professionally anymore. I don't like the music business anymore ­ you have to cultivate image, prove that your cool."

Before Morginsky can exit the industry, though, there are a few months left to commemorate the Supertones decade as a band. The first round of shows on their farewell tour, which are underway now, take the group to a number of more-rural locales that may never have hosted one of their high-energy performances.

"It's pretty kicked back," Morginsky explains of the current schedule. "We're just trying to get around to out-of-the-way places. Then in the fall, we'll hit what we call in the business "A markets," such as Boston and Philadelphia.

A number of international dates are planned for 2005 as well.

"We're going overseas a lot this year ­ Germany, Holland, Norway, Germany again," Morginsky laughs. "They at least know enough English to sing the lyrics."

The head Supertone also hinted that the band's last run of shows may bring with them the return of some long-departed former members. "There might be a reunion tour' in the fall on our final run," Morginsky offers cryptically.

­- Todd Thatcher