Dream Theater Is Happy To Share The Spotlight With Iron Maiden

Dream Theater is known for its complex and diverse music, which, although is pigeonholed as progressive rock, also reaches out to other genres, including metal. The band has released 11 official albums, as well as bootlegs, side projects, collaborations with other artists and guest appearances. The group and its members have won numerous honors. And always first for DT is its dedication to its fans.

“Our fans have made us successful. We’ve made a career not relying on mainstream radio or mainstream media- a 25 year career playing 15 minute songs, which is becoming popular with some bands today, but was not all that popular when we started out. The fans appreciate that what we do is honest and against the grain,” drummer Mike Portnoy says.

DT’s most recent effort is “Black Clouds and Silver Linings” (Roadrunner Records, June 2009). Currently, the lineup of vocalist James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, Jordan Rudess on keyboards and Portnoy are on the road, touring in support of Iron Maiden.

“We’ve rarely been an opening act,” Portnoy tells me. “This is an opportunity to reach new fans. I’ve worked out a set list that is a quote unquote greatest hits. I think it’s a good matchup. We’ve played dates with Iron Maiden in Europe before. We’re musically more in common than you would think.”

Portnoy cites the commonalities between the two bands, such as involved orchestrations and high ranged vocals. He also shares that Iron Maiden has been an influence on DT.

In February 2010, Portnoy took over drums for Huntington Beach hard rock/metal band Avenged Sevenfold to help them record a new album. The group’s drummer, Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, died in December and Portnoy was known to be his favorite drummer.

“I have performed in many projects and this was just another experience,” Portnoy says. “They are great guys and a great band and I was happy to help them.”

He will also join Avenged Sevenfold on tour in support of the effort, “Nightmare,” which is set for release this month.

Portnoy loves to keep busy and is quick to credit the balance in his life to his patient wife and understanding family.

“I tend to jump from one project to another to another, I’m a workaholic. While some of the guys in Dream Theater do nothing when we have a break, I work,” Portnoy adds. “As much as I’m a workaholic I’m a complete procrastinator, I spend a whole lot of time doing nothing.”

By nothing, Portnoy means spending time with his family, watching movies, listening to music and being on the Internet. He also devotes time to responding to fans’ e-mails.

“My life is very much a juggling act,” Portnoy sums up.

It’s rumored that DT will be heading back into the studio in 2011 to work on a new album.

“That is the plan, but we’re not totally sure. The Iron Maiden tour was not our original plan, we were supposed to take a year off, but we had the opportunity so we took it. We’ve been on the road since last June,” Portnoy states.

“I’m looking forward to the tour with Iron Maiden and the tour with Avenged Sevenfold,” Portnoy goes on. “It’s going to be a busy Mr. Portnoy, but I’m going to be doing what I love- getting out there and playing drums.”