MANGINI: 'I Love PORTNOY And Have A Deep Respect For What He Created With DREAM THEATER'

May 4, 2011

Mike Haid of Modern Drummer recently conducted an interview with new DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Modern Drummer: What was life like before the DREAM THEATER opportunity appeared?

Mangini: In 2009, I was literally lying on the floor of my garage, completely physically and emotionally drained, unsure where my career was going. I was inventing new techniques and new drumset configurations, but I was looking at my kit, saying: Who can I play with that would allow me to use everything I've worked so hard to develop? Who will just let me play and be myself a band that isn't going to tell me I'm using too many drums, that isn't going to tell me I don't groove, that isn't going to tell me the kit is too big and too expensive to carry around? Little did I know at the time that it would be DREAM THEATER.

Modern Drummer: Now that the auditions are over and you have been awarded the prestigious drum chair in DREAM THEATER, what have you done so far with the band in terms of music?

Mangini: My drum tracks for the new DREAM THEATER release are finished. They are currently finishing up keys and vocals. The new CD is scheduled for release in the fall.

Modern Drummer: Have you created a drumkit to fit the specific needs of DREAM THEATER?

Mangini: I showed up for DREAM THEATER ready for DREAM THEATER. Meaning the drumkit's core was designed years earlier, but I prepared a kit design with DREAM THEATER's music in mind, with Mike Portnoy's incredible drumming style in mind. My DREAM THEATER setup is designed for my left foot to be hitting a 26" bass drum. I'm playing totally lefty on a big bass drum. Mike had to get up off his stool and move to another stool to hit a 26" bass drum. He also had to get up and move to another kit to play a smaller bass drum. I have a 26" to my left, an 18" bass drum on my far right, and two 22" bass drums in the center of my kit.

Modern Drummer: It sounds as though you prepared for this audition with no intention of failure.

Mangini: These guys are extremely happy and appreciative of my dedication to my craft and my willingness to do whatever it takes to make DREAM THEATER the best it can be. And I am so grateful to Mike Portnoy for setting the bar so high in DREAM THEATER's music. I made a point of playing Mike's parts specifically for the audition because I wanted to put the music first, not my chops first. I love Mike Portnoy and have a deep respect for what he created with DREAM THEATER. I feel that I am with true musical brothers now. And I don't have to explain myself to anybody from now on.

Read the entire interview from Modern Drummer.

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