Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Mike Portnoy, the drummer for Dream Theater, was asked in a recent interview with Ibagenscast what he thought of the songs the band composed and recorded with Mike Mangini, who took Portnoy’s position in the band for 13 years before Portnoy returned in October 2023, as per Blabbermouth.
Yeah, all those 13 years, I would always check in. If Dream Theater put out a new album, I would always listen to it at least once just to check in and see what they were up to. Obviously the very first album without me, I was incredibly curious to hear that because up until then there had never existed a Dream Theater without me. So when that first album came out, I was very, very curious at that point. And all the following albums I would listen to at least once, just to see where they were at. But it wasn’t until I rejoined the band and needed to start constructing the setlist and picking songs from that era and getting familiar with those songs, it wasn’t till recently, the last couple years, that I really dived into the albums, and now I can appreciate them with a different perspective.
It was hard for me when I was outside the band. It was really difficult for me. It’s like going through a divorce and then seeing your wife with a new husband. That’s a typical analogy to give, but it really is true. It was hard for me. It hurt, [seeing] my band with somebody else. So, all those years I kind of just kept it at arm’s length, but now coming back, I could have a different perspective on it ’cause I’m back in the band. And I want to know that era. I want to get to know it, like the fans know it, and I wanna be able to respect it because I know there’s a lot of fans that really enjoy those eras.
Obviously Mike Mangini is an unbelievable drummer. Technically, he does things that, I’ll be the first to admit, I can’t do. And I see people comparing us all the time. It’s apples and oranges. We maybe both have played drums for Dream Theater, but I think we’re very different styles. He’s very, very methodical, very technical. I’m more loosey goosey and flying off the seat of the handle. So I think in that respect we’re different styles and I think the comparisons aren’t fair. And people say, ‘Well, Mike Portnoy can never do this and never do that.’ Yeah, you’re right. I probably couldn’t play half of those things. And you know what? I don’t care. I’m fine with that. I am who I am, like Popeye once said [laughs], and I’m fine with who I am. I know who I am and what I do, and what I bring to the band is more than just drums. And that’s all that matters to me. But in answer to your question, Mangini is obviously a phenomenal drummer, and he did a great, great job all those years while the band was without me. And I have a lot of respect for that.
