Derek Sherinian article-interview (excerpt)

In September 1994, Derek was hired by progressive rock supergroup Dream Theater for a world tour in support of their album Awake. Six months into the tour, he was asked to join the band as a full-time member. But after three releases and two world tours, Derek and Dream Theater parted ways. “When I first became aware that Dream Theater needed a keyboardist,” he says, “I had made the decision to switch to guitar and was about to take over as rhythm guitarist in Alice’s band. Unfortunately, the tour was canceled and I ended up being out of work. Jonathan Mover gave me a call and told me about the opening in Dream Theater.

“When I heard their songs, I felt pure fear,” Sherinian admits. “It was the first time I ever had a doubt about whether or not I could cut a gig. Two weeks later, I flew to New York for the audition. We played ‘Caught In A Web,’ ‘Pull Me Under,’ and ‘Voices.’ I walked out of the audition feeling that it could go either way. Fortunately, it went the right way and the rest is history!

“Mike Portnoy is the heart and soul of Dream Theater,” Derek continues. “He is very passionate about his band, and I respect that tremendously. We used to have a lot of fun playing live together. Mike writes very creative beats and has excellent limb independence. The most impressive thing about Mike’s drumming to me is that he has totally blown the ‘he’s just a drummer’ stereotype right out of the water. He’s a main creative force in that band, and he actually figures out a way to play whatever he wants in the context of the music, and gets worldwide recognition for it.”

After his four-year stint with Dream Theater, Derek released his first solo album, Planet X, the result of a collaboration with Australian phenom Virgil Donati. “Virgil will go down as one of the greats,” Sherinian states. “His talent is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I knew after the first time that I jammed with him that I had to start a sick prog band around him. Virgil and I formed Planet X in 1999.

“The puzzling thing about Virgil,” Sherinian continues, “is distinguishing how much of his greatness is ‘the gift’ and how much of it comes from unrelenting discipline. Virgil is the most innovative, and has the most chops, out of all the drummers I’ve mentioned. He also has the strongest melodic sense. Virgil writes a majority of the Planet X music. I’ve never heard a drummer who has more harmonic sense than Virgil, ever. Planet X is currently in the studio, and Virgil cut his drum tracks in Simon Phillips’ studio. As Virgil was playing, Simon was in the control room, smiling ear to ear and just shaking his head at the incredible stuff Virgil was laying down.”

Platypus is another prog-rock project Sherinian has been involved with. “Platypus was Dream Theater bassist John Myung’s idea,” Derek explains. “He asked me to get involved, and then he brought in King’s X vocalist/guitarist Ty Tabor. John brought up Rod Morgenstein’s name, and we decided to ask him to join. I’ve been a fan of Rod’s since I was fourteen years old. He is one of my favorite musicians. He can play all styles, and when he plays he reminds me of Animal from The Muppets. Rod has a strong melodic sense, and he writes very creative drum parts. He’s a very nice guy, too – always smiling.”