Dream Theater

In the beginning of this very issue, there’s a section called ‘Tips For The Top’. And that’s exactly where Dream Theater is going. Instead of giving you the bands history yet another time, let’s take a more in-depth look at the most promising new act since Rush entered the scene in the early ‘70s. Mike Portnoy (drums) answers the questions.

Erik Sontum: First of all, how do you make your songs and what influences do you have?

Mike Portnoy: The music is written by John [Petrucci], John [Myung], Kevin [Moore] and myself completely collectively. We have a great writing chemistry that makes the songs come quite naturally. Everyone in the band takes turns individually when it comes to writing lyrics. Our influences could take up the entire interview in themselves. We listen to so many different bands it would be crazy to start listing them. OK! Here’s a general list: Beatles, Metallica, Yes, Pink Floyd, Fates Warning, Frank Zappa, Rush, Marillion, King Diamond, Jane’s Addiction, Queensrÿche, U2, Anthrax, Living Colour, Jethro Tull, Voivod, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, Queen, Talas, The Dregs, Kansas, Watchtower, Al Di Meola, Testament, Santana, UK, IQ, Iron Maiden, Journey, Black Sabbath etc. etc.

ES: What are the band’s future plans at the moment?

MP: Well, it looks like we will be doing a US tour with Crimson Glory in August/September of ‘89. And then, if all goes as planned, we’ll be doing a European tour in October. After all the touring, we’ll be ready to start the next album. Probably during the winter ‘89/’90. Most of the album is already written. We have many new songs that we are very excited to record. The most interesting being a 20-minute song called ‘A Change Of Seasons’.

ES: Are you satisfied with the support of MCA/Mechanic, and with the reception from fans and magazines?

MP: Well, we love all of the people at Mechanic and we feel they’ve done as great a job as they can. However, they can only do so much without the support of MCA. And to be quite honest, we don’t feel MCA has supported the band like Mechanic would like them to. Our biggest problem has been trying to get MCA to give us a video budget. Unfortunately, here in the US (unlike Europe) a video is absolutely necessary to break a band. We are completely overwhelmed and appreciative of all the amazing support we’ve received from both the fans and the press. We get an unbelievable amount of fan mail, and it’s so encouraging to see that our music is getting through to the right people. The press has also been amazing. Especially in Europe. The underground/fanzine scene rules!

ES: Do you have any further plans for a video?

MP: Like I briefly mentioned earlier, MCA Records in America has not given us a video budget for this album [When Dream And Day Unite]. However, they have guaranteed a video for the next album. We can’t wait to do a video, because we look at videos as another outlet of creativity.

ES: Did you plan out to be this progressive, or did it just happen naturally?

MP: It really is just natural for us to write the way that we do. We’re basically writing music that we ourselves would like to hear. We know that there is an audience for our style of music. I know that Rush fans wish that the band were still writing albums like Hemispheres, or that Yes fans wish they were still doing Close To The Edge. Those bands have grown and progressed beyond those stages, which leaves a desire for that void to be filled. We miss it ourselves. [I agree totally here. – ES] So we’re trying to fill that void with a modern/metal sound.

ES: Are you surprised with all the excellent reviews?

MP: Yes, it’s been great. In fact, the only negative press I have seen has been in American magazines that are aimed at Bon Jovi and Poison fans. So basically, all places that we have hoped for good reviews, we’ve been very lucky to have received them. Thank you!

ES: Which of the songs on your debut has been taken from your previous two demos?

MP: None of the songs on the ‘86 demo appears on the album. Four out of six songs from the instrumental ‘87 demo are on the album. Those are: ‘Afterlife’, ‘The Ytse Jam’, ‘The Killing Hand’ and ‘The Ones Who Helped To Set The Sun’ (which was called ‘Death Of Spock’ on the demo).

ES: Are any of these demos still available?

MP: The ‘86 demo is completely sold out and is out of print. The instrumental ‘87 demo was never pressed and released. It was only recorded to capture that period of time onto tape. There’s a lot of copies of each demo floating around in the underground. So check it out. [It’s definitely worth it. – ES]

ES: You’ve been compared to everything from Rush to Kansas, to Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory and Metallica. Do you feel this indicates your diversity of your styles and influences, and make you appeal to different kinds of people?

MP: I think all of the different comparisons definitely show the diversity of our styles as a result of our different influences. All of those bands have had somewhat of a musical inspiration on us. It must show in our music. I think that when you listen to any band you can tell who they have been inspired by. Because of our wide range of influences, we appeal to a wider range of listeners. I think people who like jazz will find something in our music. People who like metal (any kind) we’ll find something in our music. People who like progressive music will find something in our music.

ES: What other bands would you say play music similar to your own, mixing the pomposity of the ‘70s with modern studio techniques?

MP: There are some obvious ones like Queensrÿche, Fates Warning and Metallica, to a certain degree. There are a lot of others though. Some more progressive than others. Bands like Watchtower, Sieges Even, King Diamond, Mekong Delta, Crimson Glory, Hittman, The Crumbsuckers and Voivod are all progressive in their own ways. I hope that all of us help bring it back.

ES: Are you able to include all the parts on When Dream And Day Unite in a live situation?

MP: Absolutely. All of our songs are written live and then transformed in the studio. Obviously, we do a lot of overdubs in the studio – but the songs are all written with ‘live’ arrangements.

ES: Any special plans for a European tour?

MP: Like I said earlier, hopefully we’ll be in Europe in October. We’re dying to make it over, because the European response has been so great. If it were up to us, we would tour in Europe top priority before America. I guess we’ll see.

ES: You’ve been compared to Neil Peart of Rush. Any special comments on that?

MP: Well, to me that is the compliment of all complements. Neil was my god when I first started playing drums. The reason why that comparison has probably come up is because of the bands progressive style of music so people at that point came up with the comparison. In any case, it’s very flattering. Although Neil was my first big influence, I’m influenced by other drummers equally much: Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Vinny Colaiuta, Keith Moon, Bill Bruford, Mark Miller and even Charlie Benante have all had a significant impact on my style. I once heard a saying that I think is appropriate for any art form: “If you steal from one person, you’re a thief. If you steal from many different people, you’re a genius.” The point being: originality is derived from inspiration from has many different sources as possible.

And that’s all for this time. If they come over to Europe, you know what concert you’re going to, right? If I were religious, Dream Theater would have been my God, and the address to my Paradise would have been: Dream Theater, PO Box 792, Kings Park, New York, NY 11754, USA.