Letters

Your questions answered by guest ed Mike Portnoy!

Send your letters to [email protected]

Next Theater album?

Hi Mike! First off, let me compliment you on all the great drumming that you’ve done over the years. I’m especially fond of the work you’ve done on Neal Morse’s solo album, Cover To Cover and, of course, I love the stuff you’re doing in Dream Theater. Could you tell me what direction the new material is taking? • Emil, via MySpace

Hi Emil, thanks for your kind words. We started writing and recording the new album in New York at the start of September and will be in the studio until February. It’s impossible to fully anticipate the final product. At the moment it’s more hard-edged and progressive – in terms of being more technical – with some extra wacky stuff too. We try different things every time, and each record is a reaction to the previous one. We did shorter songs with Octavarium, harder songs with Train Of Thought, Six Degrees... was longer songs and Scenes From A Memory was a concept album, so we take all those things into consideration and still embrace all of those qualities, but also go to new places.

The bulk of the sessions so far have been the writing process – getting the drums and basic tracks done. Once we have those we’ll dig deeper into the overdubs with keyboards, vocals and leads. For this album I’ve been using my Albino Monster double kit. MP

Bit on the side

Hi Mike! Outside of Dream Theater you have worked on numerous side-projects. How important is it to you to constantly be challenged with new musical situations? • Sam Thomas, Cardiff

Hi Sam, thanks for the question. It’s incredibly important, especially with the long-term relationship I have with the guys in Dream Theater; it’s been more than 20 years now. It’s important to branch out and try different things. I think that’s what has sustained Dream Theater for this long – none of us feels confined to only working with each other for the rest of our lives. I’ve had the opportunity to work with dozens of incredible musicians. I’ve been able to do so many different things, from the prog rock side of Transatlantic, to the post-industrial modern edge of OSI, to session work with people like Neal Morse, to my Beatles, Zeppelin, Who and Rush tribute bands, that all provide me with the opportunity to get under the skins of some of my favourite drummers and really absorb their styles. The entire second disc of my new instructional DVD with Hudson Music, In Constant Motion, focuses on all my side-projects. Watching it will show you the many different sides of Mike Portnoy – not only in terms of style, playing and performance, but also in terms of kits, as I have a different set-up for each project. Hope you enjoy it. MP

And relax...

Dear Mike. How do you play so fast, yet stay so relaxed? • David, via MySpace

Hi David, I think it’s because I don’t really think about what I’m doing when I’m playing live. When we are writing there is an intense level of concentration and, if you were to see me tracking in the studio, I’m actually not that relaxed! But by the time we get on tour this stuff is embedded in my brain and I can just concentrate on enjoying the live situation.

Sometimes I freak out when I watch videos of what my feet are doing though – it makes me nervous because when I’m playing, I never think about it. My feet just naturally fall into place. If I were to analyse it too much I would probably stumble immediately! Also, when I play live, the drumming is only one part of it, as I also sing through a lot of songs and throw in some visual acrobatics. MP

Monster set-ups

Dear Mike. your set-up has changed, evolved (and grown considerably!) during your career. How important has it been to you to play an active role in the development of the drums and cymbals that you play? • Richard Everley, Glasgow

Hey there Richard! It’s very important to have played an active role in the development of the gear I’m using, especially because I’ve become known for having these mammoth kits. They precede my reputation, I think! People see three bass drums, three snares, four hi-hats or whatever, and almost mock me, but I like having these huge kits and plenty of options to work with when creating parts. I’ve become known for my big Dream Theater kits, but with my side-projects I do enjoy playing a smaller set-up; hence the concept behind the Siamese Monster and Albino Monster sets, which are basically two kits in one. Rather than deciding between big or small, I thought I’d have both! I sit them side-by-side and I can go back and forwards between songs, sometimes even within the same song. And believe it or not. I’ll use every drum and cymbal during a show.

My signature sticks with Pro-Mark were easy to design – I simply developed what my hands are most comfortable with and have used for years. My Melody Master snare drums and Max-Stax and Max splashes were a little different, because in both cases I wanted to develop something that Tama and Sabian didn’t offer already, so these signature products were unique. MP

Double bass tips

Hi Mike! What tips do you have for speeding up my double bass technique? I’ve started with simple doubles but want to advance further. • Ollie Clark, Oxfordshire

Hi Ollie. When I was younger I would work with a metronome and I built things up gradually as my stamina increased. You’ve got to learn how to walk before you can run – I started off with Mötley Crüe and worked up to Slayer tunes. It takes time to develop these things. Best of luck! MP

Greatest achievement?

Hi Mike, you’ve accomplished so much, but which achievements make you most proud and why? • Tom Smith, Leicester

Hi Tom, that would normally be a hard question to answer but, coming off the back of the Score DVD, I think that the last night of the Dream Theater tour (that is documented on that DVD) was truly a highlight of our career. It was the grand finale of our 20th anniversary tour and we were at Radio City Music Hall, an incredible venue that we always dreamed of playing. All the stars were aligned on that particular evening and it was a magical night. I’m so happy that we were able to capture it on film. MP

Drum acrobatics

Hi Mike, I have always wondered where you get your performance ideas from? On Score you seem to use more than ever – huge snare bounces, head-thumping, etc – and they look great. Do you have a favourite visual ‘trick’? • Sal, via email

Hi Sal, without a doubt they originally came from my love for Keith Moon. You couldn’t take your eyes off him when he played and I knew that was the type of drummer I wanted to be; one who demands the audience’s attention. Those visuals and acrobatics come naturally – I’m never content to just be playing drums, I’ve also got to be standing, spinning my cymbals or throwing my sticks. I’m not sure about my favourite, but my latest trick is the stick bounce – you can see a lot of it on Score. Most drummers judge a show on how well they play – I judge it on how many sticks I catch! At the moment I’m averaging about six or seven out of 10... MP