John Petrucci interview (excerpts)

During a brand new interview with Mike The Music Snob, Petrucci was asked how he feels about criticism from some Dream Theater fans about Mangini’s supposed lack of “feel” compared to the playing style of Portnoy.

“I can’t wrap my head around that thought – being a person who plays with Mike, the guitarist said.

“I mean, first of all, listen, I understand being a fan of a band and having a member change disrupt your whole world. I get it. I’m a fan of bands [where] that happens,” he continued. “So that side I understand. But the concept or the thought that Mike Mangini, as a drummer, is lacking feel – that blows my mind, because the guy is just unbelievable. He is one of the, if not the most talented drummer I’ve ever, ever had the opportunity to play with. We can call out styles of music, and he has authentic feel to play anything from metal to rock to Latin to jazz to swing to shuffle. He’s just a monster, monster musician.”

Petrucci added: “Listen, comparisons will be made, and people feel nostalgic about past members. People are still saying things like that about other earlier members, and that’s fine, and I get it. I get it to a point, but when people say things that are just really ridiculous, [I feel] like reaching through [the computer screen], like Homer choking Bart Simpson. ‘Are you kidding me right now? Do you have any idea what you’re saying?’ This guy is the feel machine. He is a feel monster.”