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DREAM THEATER Guitarist: MIKE MANGINI ‘Can Do Things On The Drums That Nobody Else Can Do’

Manos Spanos
In a brand new interview with Grammy.com, guitarist John Petrucci of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER spoke about what fans can expect from the band's forthcoming, self-titled album, which is set for release on September 24 via Roadrunner Records. "I think it's really hard to describe music without alienating somebody," he said. "You can say that this album sounds a lot heavier, and people would say that sucks. Some people might be really happy about that. Or you could say it's a lot more melodic, and people could get mad like you said. To me, that mentality where it's one or the other drives me nuts. "To give you an example as a guitar player, there has always been this argument, like these two sides where guitar players can only be technical or play with feeling; it's one or the other. But to me, that makes no sense whatsoever. My favorite guitar players have both. Just because you have developed the craft on your instrument doesn't mean that you don't have the ability to be expressive emotionally on that instrument, or vice versa. Just because something is melodic or catchy doesn't mean that it doesn't have depth and substance and progressive sensibilities. Just because something is very technical or heavy doesn't mean that it's not melodic. You know what I mean? To me, it's not one or the other. That's part of the progressive spirit, that's part of the spirit of DREAM THEATER — we try to keep all of those elements in mind when we write." Petrucci also discussed how involving drummer Mike Mangini in the writing process for the first time affected the sound of the new album. "[Mike] was amazing in the studio," Petrucci said. "After getting to know him and recording [our previous studio album] 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' with him [and] then going on tour for 15 months, we spent so much time together as a band and played so many shows, we really got to know Mike Mangini, the person and the drummer. So by the time he got to the studio with us [again], everybody was comfortable and relaxed. We had this incredible musical chemistry, and because of that, it was just a real natural and creative environment. He was able to come in, not as the new guy anymore, but as an established guy and share his ideas in a really respectful way and help us take the music even further.
02 min read

MIKE PORTNOY ‘Couldn’t Relate’ To DREAM THEATER’s New Material

Manos Spanos
In the October 2013 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) spoke about how the combination of his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and having a memory unlike most other people's would make him an obvious choice for taking on more of a leadership role in a band setting. "With DREAM THEATER, I very much ran the show because my OCD allowed me to handle the additional roles," he explained. "Luckily, those guys [the other members of DREAM THEATER] always trusted my direction. OCD can be a detriment, though. I know it sometimes makes my wife crazy, and I'm sure it must have driven the guys in DREAM THEATER crazy at times too, but they rolled with it. " He continued: "It was never about being a control freak because I was an egomaniac. It was just my obsessive-compulsive nature. "When I first met [future DREAM THEATER bandmates) John Petrucci and John Myung when we were eighteen years old, I think they immediately recognized that part of my personality, and they were very comfortable with that dynamic. John Petrucci and I balanced each other out through the years with our strengths and weaknesses. He never cared much for all the little details and organizational stuff, and I never cared about the business or financial aspects, which he was very good at.
03 min read

MIKE AMOTT Had ‘No Interest Or Belief’ In Making New CARCASS Album

Manos Spanos
In the October 2013 issue of Decibel magazine, bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker and guitarist Bill Steer of reactivated British extreme metal pioneers CARCASS spoke about the band's split with guitarist Michael Amott and drummer Daniel Erlandsson, who had been touring with CARCASS since the group's reunion was announced in 2007. "In all honesty, once Michael had stepped out of CARCASS again, that's when we could entertain the idea of doing the new record," Steer revealed. "He'd made it very clear from the outset that he'd no interest or belief in there being a new CARCASS record. It's really hard to tell if maybe he felt we were incapable of doing it, or if maybe he was just speaking out of loyalty to [his main band] ARCH ENEMY. I don't know. But once the reunion shows were over, Michael basically said, 'Look, I'm gonna be busy for a few years — you guys do whatever you're gonna do. That meant Jeff and I could talk seriously about doing new material, because neither of us were being pulled in another direction like Michael was. CARCASS had become our main band and had priority treatment." When Amott split, Erlandsson followed. "It's very much a package deal with those two because they're in the same band, and they've invested so much in it," Steer offered. "There's no way that either Jeff or I could condemn them for doing that because ARCH ENEMY is their thing — especially for Michael. It's a band that's made its name from his direction — obviously his lady [ARCH ENEMY singer Angela Gossow] is involved, and until recently his brother was. So, it's always gonna mean more to him than CARCASS, and we can understand that." "I wouldn't expect any different, honestly," Walker concurred. "ARCH ENEMY is Mike's band. So are SPIRITUAL BEGGARS. And CARCASS is our band. It just doesn't mean as much to him as it does to me and Bill. We've been doing this since we were 17. The best way I can put it is this: Any band that Bill or I play with — whether it's BRUJERIA, ANGEL WITCH or GENTLEMANS PISTOLS, CARCASS is our priority. With Mike, this would never be his priority." According to Walker, Amott changed his mind once he heard that Jeff and Bill were actively working on new material. "The reality is that Mike was very keen, more than anyone, for CARCASS to reunite," Jeff said. "A few years later. he wasn't keen for the reunion to continue, and he wasn't keen on the idea of CARCASS doing a new album. This is despite the fact that he contacted me, after we were a year into the songwriting, because he heard we were doing a new album, and indicated that he wanted to be involved. I think Bill had an exchange with Mike about this and gave Mike an opportunity to put his cards on the table, [but] it became clear that Mike wasn't really interested enough to walk away from any of the projects that he's involved in . And don't get me wrong — we've never expected that of anyone . But I think it could be fitted around each other's projects. I still do BRUJERIA, you know?"
04 min read

MIKE PORTNOY: BLACK SABBATH Without BILL WARD Is ‘Not A Reunion’

Manos Spanos
Drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) was interviewed on the latest edition of former RIP magazine editor and veteran music journalist Lonn Friend's "Energize With Lonn Friend" podcast. Commenting on BLACK SABBATH's decision to record and tour without original drummer Bill Ward, Portnoy said: "Here's my issue with it. I have no issue if Bill Ward is not fit to play in SABBATH, as they're saying. Or I have no issue with it if they're having money litigations and problems and they couldn't agree on something that was fair. My issue is that they're calling it a BLACK SABBATH reunion. It's not a BLACK SABBATH reunion without the four of them. It is now just the latest BLACK SABBATH lineup. " He continued: "Why is this BLACK SABBATH, but HEAVEN & HELL wasn't BLACK SABBATH? I mean, we all know the real reason for it. But it's not a true BLACK SABBATH reunion without Bill Ward. And if they need to do it without Bill, then they do it without Bill. But don't call it a reunion. It's just BLACK SABBATH 2013. " Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 27 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).
01 min read

MIKE PORTNOY ‘Would Love Nothing More’ Than To Be ‘One Happy Family’ With Former Bandmates In DREAM THEATER

Manos Spanos
Drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS,DREAM THEATER,AVENGED SEVENFOLD,ADRENALINE MOB) was interviewed on last night's (Friday, August 23) edition of Eddie Trunk's "Eddie Trunk Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM. Asked if he has heard the new, self-titled album from his former bandmates in DREAM THEATER and what he thought of it,Portnoy replied: "I haven't heard the album. I know it's out there and I know they've been promoting it and I've seen a lot of the interviews. And, you know… It seems like there's a lot of excitement about it, but I really can't comment beyond that." He continued: "I actually got a really nice text today from Jordan [Rudess,DREAM THEATERkeyboardist], and got a nice text a few weeks ago from John Petrucci [DREAM THEATERguitarist], so it seems like the air is clearing and the dust is settling. Which I would love nothing more than for us to all be one happy family and friends again, so… We'll see. But I'm doing this 'Progressive Nation' cruise next year and Jordane-mailed me to congratulate me on that, and they also heard about [the success of] THE WINERY DOGS album, and they were congratulating me on that. So it's nice to be in good spirits with at least a couple of the guys." DREAM THEATER singerJames LaBrie recently ruled out the possibility of a reunion withMike, saying that Portnoy's replacement,Mike Mangini, "will be our drummer until the day that we finish doing this." On July 30, Portnoy was asked by Chile's Radio Futuro whether he would one day be willing to reunite with DREAM THEATER and rejoin the band as their drummer. "Sure," he replied. "I would do it in a heartbeat. They are the ones that have closed the door on it. I've only needed a break, and I've had that break. So I'm ready, willing and able. But I honestly don't think they ever will; they've closed their door on it and I think they're too headstrong in having to prove themselves without me. So I wouldn't count on it. But my door is always open."
04 min read

MIKE PORTNOY’s ‘Blabbermouth’ Voodoo Doll

Manos Spanos
Drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER,AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) has tweeted a photo of a gift that he received from a fan during THE WINERY DOGS' current South American tour. He wrote: "Got this from a fan...kinda cool, but also kinda creepy!! Maybe it's a Blabbermouth voodoo doll?? : ) " THE WINERY DOGS is the power trio featuring Portnoy, legendary bassistBilly Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH) and guitarist/vocalistRichie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON). THE WINERY DOGS' self-titled debut album was released in North America on July 23 via Loud & Proud Records and in Japan on May 15 via Victor Entertainment. The CD was mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, ADRENALINE MOB, STONE SOUR and STEEL PANTHER. Portnoy announced his departure from ADRENALINE MOB last month due to "scheduling conflicts." A replacement drummer has not yet been announced.
01 min read

MIKE PORTNOY: ‘The Drumming Dog’ DVD Now Available

Manos Spanos
A trailer for "The Drumming Dog" DVD, which contains drum-cam footage from the recording sessions for the self-titled debut album from THE WINERY DOGS, can be seen below. The full disc is available for purchase at MikePortnoy.com. Audio options include: Full Band Mix, Isolated Drums & MP Vox, and Headphone Mix. THE WINERY DOGS is the power trio featuring Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB), legendary bassistBilly Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Richie Kotzen(MR. BIG, POISON).
04 min read

MIKE PORTNOY On Leaving DREAM THEATER: ‘It Was Liberating, But It Was Also Scary’

Manos Spanos
Mark Diggins of The Rock Pit recently conducted an interview with drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, FLYING COLORS, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below. The Rock Pit: There is a great chemistry between [all the members ofTHE WINERY DOGS]. Was that there from the start and do you think you managed to bring out the best performances in each other? Mike: It was all very natural, but granted, there was already a built-in chemistry between Billy [Sheehan, bass] and Richie [Kotzen, guitar/vocals], from working together in MR. BIG. There was also the built-in chemistry between me and Billy, as we had already done various things through the years. I had to ease in to the relationship, but realistically, it all came together very naturally. I don't know the reason for that, as there's only the three of us. I've been in many bands with four or five people in them, and
04 min read

MIKE PORTNOY: ‘I Think I Am One Of The Most Misunderstood Artists In The World’

Manos Spanos
Jason Price of Icon Vs. Icon recently conducted an interview with drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, FLYING COLORS, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below. Icon Vs. Icon: Do you feel there are a lot of misconceptions circulating about you? Portnoy: I think I am one of the most misunderstood artists in the world! [laughs] Any time I go on the Internet and I see these web sites with an article with a quote for shock value as the headline, I realize the misconceptions about me that are out there by the fans and non-fans as well. I think the biggest one is that I am band-jumping or opportunity-jumping and jumping from band to band. That is not the case. Like I just said to you, it is me following my heart. I spent 25 years in one band and was so unbelievably dedicated to one band. I don't think you will find more dedication than I do for what I did for DREAM THEATER for 25 years. I mean, I literally oversaw every single step, every minute of the day. You won't find a more committed artist than me. I did that for 25 years, so I think the biggest misconception is that I am not committed. That is so far from the truth. I am just doing lots of different things. I am enjoying having this musical freedom right now. Every one of the bands and projects I am involved with are so different from each other. THE WINERY DOGS is one thing, TRANSATLANTIC is another, ADRENALINE MOB is something else. There are each so different from the other and I give all I can to each of them. The biggest problem is when you give 100% to five different things, inevitably there are going to be schedule clashes and it is not always going to be easy to juggle so many things. That is one of the difficulties I have been having lately and I am trying to make it all work. I am doing my best and I don't think you are going to find an artist with a stronger work ethic than I have. I am a total workaholic and passionate about everything I do. It is hard to always juggle it all without a scheduling conflict here or there! That has been the only problem, trying to solve that and make it all work.
06 min read

DREAM THEATER: Revised Edition Of Authorized Biography To Cover MIKE PORTNOY’s Departure

Manos Spanos
Out of print for four years, the new release of "Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography Of Dream Theater" is now available to order. Publication will be in September but pre-ordered books will ship as soon as they are available. This paperback edition is fully updated by author Rich Wilson, featuring all-new interviews with the bandmembers and others. It covers the departure of drummer Mike Portnoy, the search for his successor and the group's subsequent return to recording and touring success.
02 min read