PORTNOY: If AVENGED SEVENFOLD Ever Needed My Help Or Service, I'd Be Glad To Help Them Again

March 16, 2012

Zoiks! Online recently conducted an interview with drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Zoiks! Online: What's the experience like coming from the bigger theaters and arenas with DREAM THEATER to starting over at the club level [with ADRENALINE MOB]? Is it a refreshing feeling or is it more frustrating?

Portnoy: It is fun again; there's a certain charm to it. On the other hand, it was very nice being comfortable and cushy with all those years in DREAM THEATER. What I left with DREAM THEATER was 25 years of hard hard work. You don't get to play big arenas and theaters over night, at least I never did… I had to really work for it. There's definitely a little frustration with having to start over, but that was inevitable, I knew that was going to be the case when I left DREAM THEATER. I could have just sailed away into the sunset and been secure forever, but for me, I wanted something more, I needed something more. I wanted to work with people and music that was fresh and inspiring to me. With that comes the rebuilding process, and I understand that, and accept that, and we're all willing to do it. We love this band and this album and this music, and if we have to get back into the clubs and win people over one by one, then we're up for the job.

Zoiks! Online: Would you ever collaborate with AVENGED SEVENFOLD again if they asked?

Portnoy: Sure, if they asked. I had a great experience with them. I loved their fans, they were always so great and open and welcoming to me. Yeah, I look back with fond memories of the experience and if they ever needed my help or service, I'd be glad to help them again.

Zoiks! Online: What is the most difficult drum pattern or part that you've come up with that still gives you troubles today?

Portnoy: I would say some of the stuff I did on the "Dance Of Eternity" (DREAM THEATER) track were some of more complex patterns I have ever come up with. It took awhile to execute them and learn them and create them. However I just recorded something two nights ago, I'm currently in the studio with Neal Morse doing his next solo album, and there was a pattern in one of these songs I recorded a couple of days ago that was tremendously difficult, it was very very challenging for me, so I still find those moments that give me a true challenge now and then.

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