Mike Portnoy Interview 4-21-11.mpeg

[Zakariah1971]

This man is the MIKE TYSON of bad ideas..

[EXHellfire]

Man, to know he had to leave DT, breaks my heart, I just watched the 'Chaos in Progress' video, the making of Systematic Chaos, and it's evident he worked his ass off for the band, and he also looked like the little kid in it, which makes me think that now DT must not be having so much fun without him anymore in the rehearsals :/

[iXiAmPLiFiieDiXi]

Fuck.

[shoez290]

the issue with saying that mike portnoy isnt good is pretty the statement itself. he gets an award because he is one of the most talented drummers. i dont drum but i do play guitar and anyone that knows dream theater realizes that there is the speed aspect to them and there is the timing aspect. they use really weird time signatures in a creative way. in that respect mike portnoy has always been one of the best players because of his skills and creativity

[Shreddfase]

After seeing numorous interviews MP's leave with MP or other DT members, there was a 5 year interval stated as well as 1 - 2 years stated. In saying this, I can not see how it is selfish to want a break from something after being with it for so long. 25 years of the same thing. I think its selfish for someone who calls themselves a fan of DT, to want to see one person sacrifice their sanity or their emotional well being to pump out more DT albums and tour. He wanted abreak from DT is that wrong?

[ModulatedTesticle]

nothing says "BEST FUCKING DRUMMER EVER" like getting interviewed in some random ass warehouse

[chinocreep]

@ModulatedTesticle It was in the back area of the Sam Ash just before he went out and played the Metal Masters Clinic. Everywhere else had tons of fans who were screaming for autographs.

[Uxhenik]

I seem to hear a quiet but beautiful voice under LaBrie's in "Panic Attack". That was from this guy, right?

[erangel117]

This is THE interview

[Dragens2]

great joke at last :D mike portnoy still an epic very nice and smart drummer :D hopefully next or maybe the year after it back to jam with dream theater :)

[watchyourst3p]

mike got kicked out, got kicked ooooo oooout........ he thought DT was his and his own project only, go see what happened. XD

[ronniepooch]

@watchyourst3p you don't know that for fact. Very careless of you to be making such random statements based on what you believe.

[codibick]

to all the haterss out there: STFU!

[ShiftyStealthy]

i think he was trying to hold back some tears at 9:00

[robonez]

Portnoy is an amazingly talented guy!

Judging from what I've heard from the ned Dream Theater-CD, it's a good thing he went on to more kickass stuff, like Adrenaline Mob! \m/

[flyingmonkeysquad]

portnoy is what made DT for me, They are all very talented musicians and I have nothing but respect for them, but I never really liked the music, Drums were really the only thing I connected too.

[Mjbabycakes7072]

What a down to earth guy. I WILL NEVER buy another Dream Theater album as long as Portnoy isn't in the band.

[mikeybbdrummin]

@Mjbabycakes7072 .Interviewer: "It's hard NOT to be a Mike Pornoy fan!" MP: " I would think so!".....really??.thats what you call down to earth....or, regarding clinics.."I'm not interested in drum solos, or talking about my technique"..Isnt that what made him popular in the first place.. his biggest supporters: Drummers!!.basically he did clinics when he "Had" to, now he calls the shots and could care less about talking to YOU about what you like about him.....what a humble sweetheart he is!

[down2despair]

Maybe illuminati force mike portnoy to leave dream theater

[bluegender2005]

@down2despair Mayday Mayday, conspiracy groopie up ahead.... Dear friend, please use your human reason, and think outside the box before spreading some preconcived ideas. Thank you for your kindness, have a good day!

[ArikAizen]

Golden gaza?!

[MetallicaMadMan666]

i dont get, he left DT because he wanted to take a break but he has done nothing but work since he has left.

[carl13220]

@MetallicaMadMan666 Yes but he did not talk about the real problem with DT. The problem was not to record another DT album. The problem was obviously the enormous touring schedule that comes after the release of an album. We're talking about months, here. See : with Morse or others, he will have small touring schedule. I'm 100 % sure that his family took a big part in his decision to leave DT.

[thedrumbeast666]

@MetallicaMadMan666 no, he wanted to take a break from DT because he wanted to work on other project, and not affect DT what's so ever... i think...

[trompaklas]

@MetallicaMadMan666 I know that he is a workholic or something. And i think that he left cauz he didnt want to take so big breaks like the rezt of the band do. Im not sure though.

[MetallicaMadMan666]

@trompaklas mike portnoy wanted to take a break, not the rest of DT

[Padge314]

@MetallicaMadMan666 He wanted to take a break from Dream Theater,he felt it was burning him out.

[MetallicaMadMan666]

@Padge314 i know he wanted to take a break cause it was burning him out, thats the point i was making

[Cleistorme]

@MetallicaMadMan666 he meant take a break from the band itself and the guys in it, not music in general. Being around the same guys all the time for twenty years just burned him out from the band, not music. Its kinda like when a member of the band makes a solo album and then a year or two later the band gets back together and makes music together again. Only difference here is it was the drummer.

[mscalabrino238]

@MetallicaMadMan666 he wanted to try something new with new musicians, he meant take a brake from dream theater

[jwe986]

Mike portnoy is my fav drummer and is also in my top 5 musicians Mike portnoy u rule

[monkeyking617]

Funny, he mentions his endorsement companies, but the only names the come to mind are Yamaha, Samson, and Mackie...

[omgitsaoe]

@danielmj85 I understand your fears and I hope that's not the case. Personally I think it probably has to do more with depression and working a lot than drug abuse. And in the video he said he was changing his diet etc. That makes a big difference.

Let's hope he doesn't bulk up like Octavarium-era Petrucci though... ugh

[MrDeppness]

Mike is the quintessential workaholic much like Thomas Edison and myself.

[rhandu]

Mangini manda lembranças

[drummaster1386]

@nicoalfredo i respect the tattoos, im all inked up myself, and like he said in the video, a7x made him eat right and exercise!

[drummaster1386]

@danielmj85 i dont think that he would even think about drugs right now.



[waltergirao]

REALLY looking forward the morse/morse thing! transatlantic was a blast for me with the 2 disc from the whirlwind album. MASTERPIECE!

It was the album that made me think: "maybe dream theater is getting a little old... maybe its getting in the way of new creative songwriting.None of this would be possible inside that prog metal band!"

And you mike. You have another gift besides drumming. You make things work! Keep it up man! ;)

[erikishealing]

IN N OUT!!

[cincye]

Did Mike land a gig in the back room at Best Buy?????

I kid. I kid.

[thebeastofdoom]

@awbttm lol well they are, technically haha

[TheJoeb28]

mike portnoy you are the man

[JohnatMI]

I love Mike too, but I hope the setting of this interview isn't a sign of things to come. Is he in a supply closet?!

[moosedrummer1]

This guy is a God! He is the best drummer in the world. And is the most well-rounded drummer in the game. He can play anything anywhere anytime! He is the shit!

[iluvshuze]

Let MP run free in the zoo!!!!!!!

[DanGM123]

Mike Portnoy is bi-winning

[jmdb1994]

No, I don't know.

[1addictsad78]

the interview got worse on 10:25.. mike i love you.. im a dream theater fan since 92 but hearing you on the last segment is not really good.. they deserve booted you when you ask to rejoin with the band..

[TheZmaj15]

is this a commercial for Samson products?

[OctoMania1928]

Im sad

[Gyroslooter]

Is it just me or does Mike have more Tatoos and more of a "metal" attitude than before?

[LeeinLimbo]

Very cool. Not hating on the DT boys (still love 'em), but I actually find myself more excited by some of what's coming from your kitchen, Mike. Keep on. Oh yeah, and one more vote for another TransAtlantic album.

[bekande]

Mike Portnoy is a GOD. Dt without MP is not DT. MP was the heart, mind and soul. Everything Mike touches turns to gold. That's why PORTNOYISM is the new religion!!! Check it out on FB!!!

[abysmalabattoir]

@bekande Portnoyt is amazing but to say that DT is nothing without him is far fetched at best. There are still 4 other guys in that band and if you watch the DT drummer search, you can see that Mike Mangini layed it down proper like. And I can't wait to see the rest of the auditions. Its gonna be great

[mikeybbdrummin]

@bekande ...HAHAHAHA....a god.......there are more impressive drummers out there..and Mangini is one of them...Listen to the new Cd......Great cd....and if it was Portnoy on it playing the same (he cant play what MM can)stuff.....you would be praising it...Guaranteed!......S. Smith, Weckl, S. Phillips, Bissonette, R. Morgenstein, G. Harrison, T. Sucherman, T. Lang, Minnemann, Virgil....open ur ears...and Im not a speed metal guy...but they can take him w/ 1 hand and 1 foot....MP=overrated!

[Bigplacius]

@mikeybbdrummin hows he over rated other than fanboys every thing ever written about him has said hes a great PROG drummer not a super drummer with marco minnemann or thomas lang...if anything mike mangini is over rated......

[mikeybbdrummin]

@Bigplacius hahaha.......so funny you say that....in my hand I have Drumhead mag, Jul-Aug 2008...its caled Superdrummers...and Mangini has the biggest pic on the cover along w/smaller pics of Thomas, Marco, Virgil, Grant Collins and a guy (never heard of) Furio Chirico..3 years before ream theater....so he obviously had the skills and credentials long ago..MP is a great drummer...all the 80's drummers a mentioned were doing MP stuff in moderation before DT was popular....so its not new drumming.

[shady88chazz]

Thank you for blessing my soul... :)

[MitchellBeazley]

love u Mike :D

[Alfieboii]

"I don't want to be a caged animal. I want to run free in the zoo and mate with every specie" Haha, so frakking hilarious!

[jareds1007]

is he the drummer for avenge sevenfold?

i know dream theatre, but he said...the avenge sevenfold tour....

[gibya111]

@jareds1007 he was only to help them out finish the album and 2010 tour.

[Dieterbe]

interesting that at 7:16 he says "going back to my computer to do work", and not "going back to my drums", surely he needs to do a lot of communicative work etc via the computer, but i wonder to which extent he uses it for creating drum parts, writing music, etc.

[hbferri]

I like this guy so much, but i cant stop thinking he is continuously trying to show he is OK after DT.

[Musikdose]

@hbferri Maybe because he isn`t...

[111Freeman777]

@hbferri the dude has so many projects he is in and so many bands, that he has those other things to keep him busy and happy

[hellsjester31]

@hbferri And dream theater is continuously trying to show to they don't need mike, by saying that they are ready to make the best albums of their careers ( see dreamtheater channel). I find it nearly insulting towards MP :S

[mikeybbdrummin]

@hellsjester31 .it would be insulting and selfish to any band to have any member come in and say I want a 4-5 year break, which means you have to also...DT wanted to make great music WITH him....they made the decisions that was benificial for 80% of the band....And they dont need him and he's MORE then replaceable..FACT.....he screwed the pooch....and hes not as happy as ever....thats why he went crawling back....and was told No WAY....HAHAHAHAHA!...and what an ass kissing interview...

[mumatrix]

@Dawgmandede then so sorry ....

[28monkeyking28]

MIKE PORTNOY is the f*cking best. Support him all the way

[immortalsoloist]

The Legend :)

[leovienne0607]

I WANNA ROME FREE TOO I WANT TO MATE WITH OTHER HOT SEXY BEAUTIFUL AND SMART WOMAN SPECIE TOO!!!

[leovienne0607]

Looks like mike has a big eye bugs hahahaha....

[marcelreno]

"...you know"

[PLAYITVERYLOUD]

he is a very carismatic guy, If I wouldn't know how hold he is I would say a mid 30. I will never forget their live-show in 2009 *yeah* it was pretty cool and Mike is real buisy.

[MarkRiches]

"I don't want a soap opera" - meanwhile DT have some sort of reality TV show going for announcing the new drummer.

[Heitosan]

Mike Portnoy a.k.a. one of the greatest musicians in human history ;)

[exxagerator]

MP EMO YAY

[GonzoDrummer27]

Mike Portnoy lion mating with different species and creating musical hybrid animal babies sounds good to me :)

[DAJUMUSTARD]

I'm with Mike Portnoy!!!!.... I'm with Mike Army!!!... honestly!

[liquidtenor]

@danielmj85 He's lost weight, because he's been working out (or he was, when he was hanging with the Avenged guys) and he's wearing the shades because his future is so bright :)

[form316]

return to DT soon

[KateFrusciante]

...i can see the hurt behind your smile.. Mike... no sunglasses can hide the pain... but you are a Man! you take it like a man. i respect you for not giving up and keeping yourself busy!

'..you know, for every 1 complaint there's 99 praises..' - what a good policy it is to exaggerate the positive and to eliminate the negative! bless your soul, Mike, for seeing it that way! that's the spirit!! and that's what we all love & praise you for;)

[Mastermnd0]

So he wanted a break and left DT for that. He didn't take any breaks, and now DT is doing nothing. LOL.

[RockRulez124]

@Mastermnd0 Huh? They're recording an album, don't they? James released a new album himself, the whole band auditioned for a new drummer. They set tour dates already. They're doing plenty.

[tiki2133]

@danielmj85 it's called working out.

[reisselpud]

Can't wait ! This man is god !

[stephaneagle]

Thanks for the updates! Like i always did.. I'm looking forward for the new ptojects and i'm really exited to see you this year in concert. You'r still inspiring me on many levels.. Not just as a drummer also in the way looking at the situation of life ... And your tattoos! ;). Keep going, and give a sh•t about the haters!

[Randyolsson]

"What's on tap for tonight..."

[Webofscience]

Nice guy. Really not a fan of the tats though!

[jonagoc]

Love you man But don't lie!

[OTDRUMGOD08]

Just no more drama. Get on with making more awesome music DT. MP already is.

[OTDRUMGOD08]

I just think DT should just let him back in or name another drummer already. This is a soap opera and the drama has gone on long enough. MP is the man no matter who he plays with, and DT is awesome. I will support both as they are both amazing influences on my drumming and perception of music as a whole.

[iLuVsNaRe]

I have mad respect for this mike... met him last night.. got a chance to talk to him and let him know how much he influences me and my drumming and how much i appreciate wat he does as a musician... a very humble for being such a godly drummer :) mike is the best :)

[IangTse]

What's hapended whit him?? he loss weight, is colored beard, and new glasses??!!

Mike, we feel already your leaving in DT. Stay metal!!

[udermoreira]

MP, when are we going to see u in Brazil again?

[MrSteve988]

I still hope Mike goes back to Dream Theater in the future, but whatever Mike is going to be amazing

[GabrielMariachi]

MP, great guy! You have the support from the brazilian fans!

[nerdf1981]

he looks different, so thin, and... white!! lot of tatooes !! ... he's getting younger !! What the Flap !!

[nerdf1981]

he looks different, so thin, and... white!! lot of tatooes !!

[factorcross]

GO AQUILES!

[Airtide]

Gooood for ya Mike, yes, I also one in the legion Mike Portnoy's fans, and here we'll stand Buddy. We'll stay here for you in gratitude for all the joy you keep on bringing us with your art. Take Care Bud...

[Fiends4]

@luiz850 Yeah he isn't the same. To go out of his way to say hes happy, just doesn't seem right. Not sure how he is.

[CorySuydam2010]

And this is exactly why MP continues to be one of my role models musically. and allways will.

[missghotica]

I have a HUGE crush on him, my god i want to marry this guy, he is perfect.

[Drummerofthought]

OMG Neal Morse in mexico....i gotta ve there !!!! =)

[irwin3036able]

They signed "Mike Portnoy" they didnt sign "Dream Theater"

THIS. + cost of my house :D

[CardinalJiles]

i was waiting for a dream theater question. damn

[lhc89]

@CardinalJiles I think a DT question would be a sensitive topic to talk about, he isn't here to talk about the past. On another note, great interview and I'm looking forward to his new projects!

[CardinalJiles]

@lhc89 i guess but the past is the only reason he is here. it didnt bother me, but they jumped around it, naturally i wish it was brought up.

[vagBehemoth]

is he going to Dimmu Borgir really cause that is completely imposibble , he cant blast at that speed !!!!!! ????

[vagBehemoth]

@vagBehemoth what the fuck he will do to nail The Chosen Legacy double bass !!!!!!!

[TheAnonymus31]

@vagBehemoth That was an April Fools joke.

[DTxOctavariumx]

I was there. :)

[RenegadeBurger]

Since we can't look him in the eye, I look him in the beard.

[MrTheRich13]

What an interview, What a guy !! MP you never cease to inspire...Truly the most down to earth guy you'd ever want to meet...And I've met him many times..MP, whatever path you take, I'm following....

[iLuVsNaRe]

@MrTheRich13 thts how i feel.... i will forever follow...