Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy in 2007
Background information
Birth name Michael Stephen Portnoy
Born (1967-04-20) April 20, 1967
Long Beach, New York, United States
Genres Progressive metal, heavy metal, progressive rock
Instruments Drums, percussion
Labels Roadrunner
Associated acts Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Liquid Tension Experiment, Neal Morse, OSI, Avenged Sevenfold, Adrenaline Mob, Stone Sour, Flying Colors, Bigelf, The Winery Dogs, Yellow Matter Custard, Twisted Sister, Metal Allegiance
Website mikeportnoy.com

Michael Stephen "Mike" Portnoy (born April 20, 1967) is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. Known for his technical skill as a drummer, Portnoy has won 30 awards from the Modern Drummer magazine.[1] He co-produced six Dream Theater albums with guitarist John Petrucci, starting from Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory through Black Clouds and Silver Linings. From A Change of Seasons onwards, Portnoy had been writing a significant amount of Dream Theater's lyrics. He is the second youngest person (after Neil Peart) to be inducted into the Modern Drummer's Hall of Fame (at 37 years of age).

Besides his work with Dream Theater, Portnoy is known for his many side projects and tribute bands. He is a founding member of Liquid Tension Experiment, an instrumental progressive rock band featuring fellow Dream Theater members John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess along with bassist Tony Levin. He is also a founding member of Transatlantic, a progressive rock "super-group" featuring former Spock's Beard keyboardist/vocalist Neal Morse, Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt and Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas. Portnoy has also recorded and/or toured/performed live with Neal Morse, OSI, Hail!, Stone Sour, Fates Warning, Overkill, G3 and played on Avenged Sevenfold's album Nightmare in place of their late drummer, The Rev. Over the years, Portnoy has also created tribute bands to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rush, and The Who, which has allowed him to perform the music of his four favorite drummers.

In September 2010, Portnoy announced his departure from Dream Theater after 25 years. He was replaced by Mike Mangini. Since leaving Dream Theater, Portnoy has formed several new bands. The first, Adrenaline Mob, a traditional heavy metal/hard rock band with singer Russell Allen (of Symphony X) and guitarist Mike Orlando.[2] On June 4, 2013, however, Portnoy announced his departure from Adrenaline Mob, citing scheduling conflicts. He is also a founding member of Flying Colors, a progressive pop band also featuring Steve Morse, Neal Morse, Dave LaRue, and Casey McPherson; and The Winery Dogs, a power trio also featuring bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) and guitarist Richie Kotzen (formerly of Mr. Big and Poison).

Biography

Portnoy was born April 20, 1967 and raised on Long Island in Long Beach, New York.[3] His father, Howard Portnoy, worked as a DJ at a local radio station. His mother died on November 16, 1984, when the private plane in which she was with her boyfriend crashed off the Atlantic City coastline.[4]

Portnoy's father's job helped him gain an appreciation for music at an early age particularly, as Portnoy has pointed out, because he had access to his father's collection of LPs. He developed a preference for bands including Rush, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Iron Maiden, and The Beatles, among many others. Portnoy claims to be self-taught as a drummer, though he did take music theory classes in high school. During that period he began playing in local bands, two of which (Rising Power and Inner Sanctum) recorded and released independent albums. He left Inner Sanctum (his last high school band) after being awarded a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he met John Petrucci and John Myung. They formed a band, initially taking the name "Majesty" before changing their name to Dream Theater. They left Berklee soon after.[5]

Avenged Sevenfold, departure from Dream Theater, and future

In spring 2010, Portnoy filled in for Avenged Sevenfold's former drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, who died during the production of the band's fifth album Nightmare.

On May 5, 2010, Portnoy released a statement on his status with Avenged Sevenfold on their official website: "Although I wish I could stay on board with Avenged in a more permanent capacity, the reality is that I am committed to Dream Theater as my main priority and I will need to resume work with them to start a new album at some point in 2011.....However, I will be able to join my brothers in Avenged Sevenfold for at least the duration of their touring throughout 2010.....You can look at me like the band's 'rebound drummer' to buy them some time until they are comfortable and ready to make a commitment to somebody new for full-time relationship in their future!"[6]

On September 8, 2010, Mike Portnoy announced he would be leaving Dream Theater. In his official statement,[7] he said he had "come to the conclusion that the [Dream Theater] machine was starting to burn me out", and that he had urged the band to take a break from its relentless recording, publishing and touring cycle. When the band decided it would rather continue without him, however, he departed, and Dream Theater later chose Mike Mangini to take his place after auditioning seven "world-class" drummers.[8] When Avenged Sevenfold later decided to also sever ties with Portnoy,[9] he announced that he had asked to return to Dream Theater, but had been turned down by their lawyer[10] since the band (as later revealed) had already brought Mangini on board.

Portnoy later announced that he had started two new musical projects: Adrenaline Mob, with Russell Allen, Mike Orlando, Rich Ward and Paul DiLeo; and Flying Colors, with Neal Morse, Steve Morse, Dave LaRue and Casey McPherson. Adrenaline Mob released its debut EP in August 2011.[11] Both bands released their first full albums in 2012.

On June 10, 2011, Portnoy announced on his website that he would be playing a show in New York City on June 24, 2011 with Adrenaline Mob.[12]

On August 5, 2011, one of Adrenaline Mob's new songs, "Hit the Wall," debuted on the Q104.3 radio station following a live interview with Portnoy about the band, as well as his hopes for the future and his feelings towards Dream Theater.

On September 14, 2011, it was announced that Portnoy would fill in on drums for Stone Sour's show at Rock In Rio for drummer Roy Mayorga, who had been expecting the birth of his first child on the same day as the show.

Portnoy and guitarist John Sykes had begun working on a new band in July 2011, together with bassist Billy Sheehan. In January 2012, however, the project quietly dissolved, and Portnoy announced that he and Sheehan had selected guitarist Richie Kotzen to replace Sykes. The album was recorded throughout August 2012.[13][14] On March 24, 2013, it was announced that the name of the Portnoy/Sheehan/Kotzen band would be called The Winery Dogs. The album was released in July 2013.[15]

Portnoy played drums on Progressive Rock band Bigelf's 2013 album. He has clarified that he was "just helping Damon (Fox, Bigelf frontman)", however, and is not a member of the band.[16]

On June 4, 2013, Portnoy announced via Adrenaline Mob's Facebook page that he would be playing only 4 more shows with the band before departing. Portnoy cited scheduling conflicts that prevented him from being able "to fully commit to the band's future activities at the moment." [17]

On March 21, 2015 Mike Portnoy rejoined his old bandmates in Adrenaline Mob in New Jersey for a tribute to A.J. Pero, who died on March 20, 2015 from a massive heart attack.[18][19] Additionally, Portnoy filled in as drummer for Twisted Sister following Pero's passing.

Influences

In the April 2001 edition of Modern Drummer & Mike Portnoy's website, he names Neil Peart, Carl Palmer, Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, Billy Cobham, Alan White, Stewart Copeland, Phil Collins, Chester Thompson, Simon Phillips, Nick D'Virgilio, Andy Sturmer, Dave Lombardo, Jon Fishman, Vinnie Colaiuta, Peter Criss, Ringo Starr, Tommy Lee, John Bonham, Lars Ulrich and Keith Moon as influences.[20]

Awards and recognition

Modern Drummer

Mike Portnoy won the following Modern Drummer magazine Reader's Poll awards:

  1. Best Up & Coming Talent (1994)
  2. Best Progressive Rock Drummer (1995–2006)
  3. Best Recorded Performance (1995 for Awake, 1996 for A Change of Seasons, 1998 for Falling Into Infinity, 2000 for Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory, 2002 for Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, 2007 for Score) and 2011 for Nightmare (Avenged Sevenfold).[21]
  4. Best Clinician (2000, 2002)
  5. Best Educational Video/DVD (2000, 2002)
  6. Hall of Fame Inductee (2004)
  7. Best Rock Drummer (2015)

He has co-founded several progressive rock groups and projects, including Transatlantic and Liquid Tension Experiment.

He has released three instructional videos, "Progressive Drum Concepts", "Liquid Drum Theater", which has won awards from Modern Drummer Magazine, and his latest "In Constant Motion". He has released many "Official Bootlegs" on his website, including footage of the studio sessions for the Dream Theater albums Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Train of Thought, Octavarium and the Transatlantic release Bridge Across Forever. He has released bootlegs of his tribute bands Hammer of the Gods (a Led Zeppelin tribute), Yellow Matter Custard (The Beatles), Cygnus and the Sea Monsters (Rush), and Amazing Journey (The Who).

On September 18, 2006 within his website's forum Portnoy cagily stated that he had finally met one of his drummer heroes from youth from the band Rush;[22] drummer Neil Peart (one of the few heroes from his youth Portnoy had never met, owing to Peart's legendary privacy), that "Neil and I have finally met and we spent some time together this week and had a great time...",[23] and that a possible collaboration was underway/had been discussed with the teasing statement of "Patience everybody... all will soon be revealed!" It has now been revealed that this meeting was for an interview Portnoy did for his stint as guest editor of Rhythm Magazine.[24] Portnoy had previously written the liner notes for the Japanese pressing of Rush's 2002 release Vapor Trails,[25] but publicly denounced Peart in 2000 after Peart called the people involved in the Rush tribute "bar bands" .[26]

In the October 2009 issue of Rhythm Magazine, Portnoy was listed as #5 in their list of the Top 50 Drummers of All Time.[27]

He was featured on Fuse TV's Talking Metal where he joined with Bobby Ellsworth and the show's hosts in covering Motörhead's "Overkill."

In June 14, 2010, Mike Portnoy won the Metal Hammer Golden God Award for Best Drummer.[28]

As voted on by 6,500 drummers worldwide, Portnoy won the Drummies Award for Best Progressive Rock drummer in 2010, while Joey Jordison of Slipknot/Rob Zombie/Murderdolls won the award for Best Metal drummer.[29]

At the Revolver Golden God Awards in April 20, 2011, he won the "Best Drummer Award" for his work with Avenged Sevenfold.[30]

In June 7, 2011, Portnoy posted on his Facebook that he had won Drum! magazine's "Drummer of the Year Award" and the "Metal Drummer Award".[31][32]

Portnoy won the "Virtuoso" award at the 2013 Progressive Music Awards.[33]

Other instruments played

Portnoy played John Myung's bass when Dream Theater performed as the fictitious band Nightmare Cinema. Before live performances of "Trial of Tears", he would sometimes switch instruments with John Petrucci and play a fragment of "Eruption" by Van Halen. In Nightmare Cinema he got the "alternate stage name" Max Del Fuvio. He was seen playing Pink Floyd's Sheep, on a sunburst 4-string Music Man Sterling belonging to Myung on The Making of Systematic Chaos. He plays bass guitar during a jam by Liquid Trio Experiment 2. He has also contributed lead and harmony vocals to numerous projects.

Personal life

Portnoy and his wife Marlene (née Apuzzo) live in Upper Saucon Township in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania with their children, Melody Ruthandrea and Max John. Marlene used to be a guitarist in the all-female band Meanstreak, and two of the other members, guitarist Rena Sands and bassist Lisa Martens, are married to Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung, respectively.

Max, like his father Mike, is a drummer. His band Next to None opened for Adrenaline Mob in Atlanta on April 6, 2013.[34]

Near the end of every year since 2001, Portnoy shares on his blog a personal choice on the top ten music recordings, films and TV shows released along the year.[35]

Portnoy comes from a Jewish family, but doesn't actively practice the religion.

Discography

Year Band Title Notes
1984 Rising Power Power for the People out of print
1986 Inner Sanctum 12 A.M. out of print
S. A. Adams Unearthed
Majesty Majesty demos
1989 Dream Theater When Dream and Day Unite
1992 Images and Words
1993 Live at the Marquee Recorded at the Marquee Club in London, England on April 23, 1993.
1994 Awake
1995 A Change of Seasons EP album. Contains live tracks recorded at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London on January 31, 1995.
1996 Various Artists Working Man – A Tribute to Rush Portnoy drums on six tracks
1997 Dream Theater Falling into Infinity
1998 Once in a LIVEtime Recorded at the Bataclan in Paris, France on June 25, 1998.
Liquid Tension Experiment Liquid Tension Experiment
1999 Liquid Tension Experiment 2
Dream Theater Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
Various Artists Encores Legends & Paradox; A Tribute to the Music of ELP Portnoy drums on two tracks
2000 Transatlantic SMPT:e
2001 Bridge Across Forever
Live in America Recorded in Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC in June 2000.
Dream Theater Live Scenes from New York Recorded at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, NY on August 30, 2000.
Andy West Rama 1
2002 Dream Theater Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2003 OSI Office of Strategic Influence
Neal Morse Testimony
Transatlantic Live in Europe Recorded at the 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands on November 12, 2001.
John Arch A Twist of Fate EP
Dream Theater Train of Thought
2004 Neal Morse One
Dream Theater Live at Budokan Recorded at the Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan on April 26, 2004.
2005 Dream Theater Octavarium
Neal Morse ?
G3 G3: Live in Tokyo Portnoy drums on four tracks
Yellow Matter Custard One Night in New York City tribute to The Beatles (with Paul Gilbert, Neal Morse, and Matt Bissonette)
2006 OSI Free
Morse, Portnoy and George Cover to Cover
Dream Theater Score Recorded at the Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY on April 1, 2006.
Hammer of the Gods Two Nights in North America tribute to Led Zeppelin (with Paul Gilbert, Daniel Gildenlöw, and Dave LaRue)
Cygnus and the Sea Monsters One Night in Chicago tribute to Rush (with Paul Gilbert, Sean Malone, and Jason McMaster)
2007 Neal Morse Sola Scriptura
Dream Theater Systematic Chaos
Liquid Tension Experiment Spontaneous Combustion as Liquid Trio Experiment
Amazing Journey One Night in New York City tribute to The Who (with Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, and Gary Cherone)
2008 Neal Morse Lifeline
Dream Theater Chaos in Motion 2007-2008 Recorded in various places between 2007 and 2008.
2009 Transatlantic The Whirlwind
Liquid Tension Experiment When the Keyboard Breaks: Live in Chicago As Liquid Trio Experiment. Recorded live in Chicago, IL on June 25, 2008.
Dream Theater Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Wither EP
2010 Avenged Sevenfold Nightmare
Welcome to the Family EP
Transatlantic Whirld Tour 2010: Live in London Recorded at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, England on May 21, 2010.
2011 Adrenaline Mob Adrenaline Mob EP[36]
Neal Morse Testimony 2
Transatlantic More Never Is Enough: Live In Manchester & Tilburg 2010 Recorded in Manchester, England and Tilburg, Netherlands in May 2010.
Yellow Matter Custard One More Night in New York City tribute to The Beatles (with Paul Gilbert, Neal Morse, and Kasim Sulton)
2012 Adrenaline Mob Omertà
Flying Colors Flying Colors
Morse, Portnoy and George Cover2Cover
Neal Morse Momentum
The Prog World Orchestra A Proggy Christmas
2013 Adrenaline Mob Covertà Cover EP that covers Badlands, Dio, The Doors, Van Halen, Heart, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath
The Winery Dogs The Winery Dogs
Unleashed in Japan
Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine and Sherinian Live In Tokyo Material from their individual and collaborative careers. Recorded at the Zepp, in Tokyo, Japan on November 14, 2012.
Flying Colors Live in Europe Recorded at the 013, Tilburg, Netherlands on September 21, 2012.
2014 Transatlantic Kaleidoscope
Bigelf Into the Maelstrom
Paul Gilbert Stone Pushing Uphill Man 2 tracks
Flying Colors Second Nature
Haken Restoration Gong on "Crystallised"
Transatlantic KaLIVEoscope
2015 The Neal Morse Band The Grand Experiment
Metal Allegiance Metal Allegiance Collaborative Album with David Ellefson from Megadeth and Alex Skolnick from Testament
The Winery Dogs Hot Streak
Flying Colors Second Flight: Live at the Z7 Recorded at the Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland on October 12, 2014.
2016 The Neal Morse Band The Similitude of a Dream

Instructional DVD releases

Portnoy has released several instructional drumming videos/DVDs. These include:

Portnoy's self filmed performances

Portnoy has self-released "drum-cam" DVDs of the last several Dream Theater and side project recording sessions through his own "MP4" production company. These are "in-studio" recordings typically consisting of Full Band, Isolated Drums tracks, and an Audio Commentary.

References

  1. ↑ http://bravewords.com/news/mike-portnoy-wins-30th-modern-drummer-readers-poll-award-i-am-beyond-grateful-appreciative-and-humbled
  2. ↑ "MIKE PORTNOY, RUSSELL ALLEN, RICH WARD, MIKE ORLANDO Join Forces In ADRENALINE MOB".
  3. ↑ Portnoy, Mike (2009). "The Mike Portnoy Official Website/biography". Portnoy Official Website. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  4. ↑ Portnoy, Mike (30 June 2015). "PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO READ THIS POST….IT JUST MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE!". Mike Portnoy's official Facebook page. Facebook. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Reesman, Bryan. "An Interview with Twisted Sister: The Fire Still Burns". www.theaquarian.com. Arts Weekly, Inc. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "MIKE PORTNOY WILL BE DRUMMING WITH A7X". Avenged Sevenfold. 2010-07-31. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  7. ↑ "Mike Portnoy Quits Dream Theater (September 8, 2010)". Metal Insider. 2010-09-08. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  8. ↑ "It's Official: MIKE MANGINI Is New DREAM THEATER Drummer". BlabberMouth.
  9. ↑ Mike Portnoy. "Mike Portnoy Confirms, "My Time With Avenged Sevenfold Has Come To An End."". Deathbat News.
  10. ↑ "Mike Portnoy Told He Can't Come Back To Dream Theater". anthonybest.com. 2010-12-20. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  11. ↑ "The official site of Century Media recording artists". Adrenaline Mob. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  12. ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "COMING TO NYC ON FRI JUNE 24TH". Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  13. ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "MP Studio Diary for Portnoy/Sheehan/Kotzen sessions - Day 1". Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  14. ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "MP Studio Diary for Portnoy/Sheehan/Koten sessions - Day 14". Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "THE WINERY DOGS: Official Logo, Band Photo Unveiled". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  16. ↑ Whitman, Howard. "EntertainmentTell Interviews Mike Portnoy of The Winery Dogs". EntertainmentTell. TechnologyTell. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Adrenaline Mob Facebook Post: Portnoy Departs Adrenaline Mob". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  18. ↑ "Mike Portnoy joins Adrenaline Mob for AJ Pero tribute". Metalrocknews.com.
  19. ↑ "Twisted Sister and Adrenaline Mob drummer A.J. Pero died". Metalrocknews.com.
  20. ↑ "Mike Portnoy.com The Official Website". Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  21. ↑ "Modern Drummer 2011 Readers Poll". Tama.com. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  22. ↑ "Neil Peart's New Book "Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle "". Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  23. ↑ "Neil Peart's New Book "Roadshow: Landscape With Drums: A Concert Tour by Motorcycle "". Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  24. ↑ "DREAM THEATER Begins Recording New Album, Seeks New Label Home". BlabberMouth.
  25. ↑ "DREAM THEATER Drummer To Pen Liner Notes For New RUSH CD - Apr. 11, 2002". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  26. ↑ "Metal Sludge - 20 Questions With Mike Portnoy, 6/20/00 - The Power & Glory since 1998". Metalsludge.tv. 2000-06-20. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  27. ↑ "Mike Portnoy Named in Top 50 Drummers of All Time". Roadrunner Records. October 14, 2009. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Machine Head, Mike Portnoy Win Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards". Roadrunner Records. June 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  29. ↑ "MIKE PORTNOY, JOEY JORDISON WIN 2010 DRUMMIES AWARDS". Roadrunner Records. 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  30. ↑ Josh Hart (2011-04-21). "Revolver Golden Gods – Winners Announced! - Revolver Magazine". Revolvermag.com. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  31. ↑ "Mike Portnoy wins several great awards from Drum! magazine!!". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  32. ↑ "Drummies 2011: Results Announced!". DRUM! Magazine. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  33. ↑ "Prog Awards 2013 - The Winners!". Prog Rock Magazine. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  34. ↑ "MIKE PORTNOY's Son's Band NEXT TO NONE Supports ADRENALINE MOB In Atlanta; Video Available". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  35. ↑ "MP's Best Of 2011 Year End Wrap-Up". Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  36. ↑ "About". Adrenaline Mob. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
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