Drummer Mike Portnoy Interview 2017: Sons of Apollo, Band Leadership with Lars, Dream Theater & More

I can tell how excited you were to interview Mike. Who wouldn't be? He'll go down in history as the ultimate drummer. This guy won more drummer of the year awards than I can count. He perfectly embodies the duality within progressive music which is like blending the super nerdy prog with whatever the fuck you want to. Songs from all of his projects will probably go on to be classics. I honestly don't have enough words to describe the influence Mike Portnoy has and will continue to have on music in general.

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Totally agree! And I was indeed psyched. :)

[@AMGU2B]

I have immense respect for this man, as an old (and current) DT fan. The fact that he discovered new emotions and feelings that he really enjoyed while touring with Avenged Sevenfold, and that he was honest about it with the DT members, gives him even more credit as a person and as a professional. He could have simply stayed with his routinary daily work, but he chose to take the difficult path and follow a new more inspiring path. I miss him a lot, but I am very happy to see him succeeding also outside DT. I also have a huge respect for Mike Mangini and I think he is doing a great job in filling the almost impossible to fill gap that Portnoy left. Both great drummers, amazing professionals and, more importantly, amazing people.

[@nembience1]

She's such a great interviewer. The conversation just flows and she asks some of the more touchier subjects as well.

[@bassmonsteradsit7160]

Killer interview. Nothing really new revealed but her interviewing skills were refreshing and MP was certainly engaged! Overall, well done!! :)

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you!

[@moyahsutherland6430]

Wonderful interview! Thank you. It was great to see Mike sharing so much.

[@ricardocalderon8243]

Amazing interview with the legend MP. Gorgeous interviewer by the way!

[@HUK38]

What a great interview. Hats of to the Lady.

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you!

[@VamoDeDriveTrutz]

Great job, Christina! Wonderful, intense, lovely, thank you so much.

[@neofazodona]

Thanks, that was a very good interview!

[@robburgess4556]

Great interview, Christina is so into it, her enthusiasm is infectious

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you! To be honest it really came from his enthusiasm! So rad to see someone thirty five years into making music that is still so excited.

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

Rob Burgess dude all girls act that way when a man who even looks like a musician is around xD. Usually they are much worse than this fem even. I suppose she tries to stay calm on cam

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Mate I am the least starstruck person ever, I've been working with bands since my first job in a studio at 21. I like what I do, and so do they. Hanging out with people who make creative things for a living are generally really happy and fun to be around, and I knew that dude would have good stories, so I was psyched. So many people don't go after their dreams. People who do have this energy. It's totally infectious, and a huge reason the energy is high here - this bloke is so damn happy. Totally understand that's your experience, but there are plenty of women involved in the music industry in a professional and passion-driven way, not just because they're into rock stars. Also - I've seen WAY more dudes get emotional over musicians than women, haha. :)

[@Grecki_Bog_Domestos]

The Void with Christina Well he is not quite right cause there is a common believe that girls are into testicles not musicians.

[@kjemradio]

Take note. THIS is how interviews should be conducted!

[@HLDrums]

One of the best Portnoy interviews I've seen so far, great job! Ps. I would've lost my shit talking to him 😂

[@HaidarAli-zr5ob]

i love how you take the interview and make the artist have a good time talking to you

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you! I want it to be fun!

[@nengstro]

Best fucking interview ever, so cool he is Mike, so nice about DT. Sons of Apollo now eats DT alive, so fun to watch the development post 2010 departure

[@emperoring112]

You seemed star struck talking to him, and I can’t blame you, I would be too! You talked almost casually and not like the typical interviewer which is awesome! Great interview Christina! It’s rewarding to see a fellow younger person like you into the great rock music and the great musicians! Got a sub from me!

[@andrewvanhalen1984]

I love this woman, she's a real fan and is so damn beautiful.

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

That was a totally epic comment to wake up to, thank you!

[@JulesFox]

Very good mix of friendly and engaged with probing, intelligent questions.

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you!

[@uchihanis]

Ears to the right. Eyes to the left.

[@hendrahusnussalam7617]

7:09 I love what you're saying, Mike. good statement. agree with you.

[@SuperEvilMonkey1]

Exit Music For A Film has gotta be the one of the best songs of the 90s

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Fuck yes! What's really funny is I asked Ben from Dillinger Escape Plan the same question a week ago and he suggested Paranoid Android and also extolled the virtues of that whole record. Timeless shit!

[@angott1]

Mike one of, if not the best ever. THX for mention Kill 'em all.

[@SlavomirG]

Not even 1 dislike miss Christina? Are you a wizard?

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

All the wonderful humans I make these videos for are the wizards. I am so lucky to have them. My audience is the best.

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

great interview!

[@TheBadThad]

Great interview! Well done!

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you!

[@PetrucciFever]

Great interview!

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you!

[@AriaMohtadiHaghighi]

Awesome interview/questions. Cheers from Iran.

[@biancogonzalez9759]

Mike Portnoy is a fucking monster drummer ! and i loved her hair

[@shahbazasad3107]

Great interview! And if you think Lars sucks, check out Blackened-Metallica live 1989 Seattle or any other song from that show especially Battery😜😜

[@DaniloAndrade87]

"Ok, there might be one" DAMN, ROFL

[@CASNY4METAL]

would like to see SOA in NYC live, and DT forever , haha

[@nunocarlos1370]

Great mike

[@musicmanpiezo]

Every time somebody misspells Dream Theater, a piece of me dies.

[@ayusharipirala3121]

Lol same

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

musicmanpiezo every time someone mentions that one album wonder band I laugh. At the person claiming they are worth mentioning xD. Laugher increases when they call it metal

[@musicmanpiezo]

Well...do you like this particular album?

[@PeaceDweller]

..It's not really a misspelling. English and Australians use "Theatre" instead of "Theater" which is Americanised.

[@musicmanpiezo]

No. The band decided that they are called "Dream Theater"; it does not depent on local differences.

[@ch3nz3n]

Dope af Twin Peaks shirt!!! \m/

[@aldinrazzuri8005]

Very good interview and pretty girl

[@PerdidoNino]

Just out of curiosity, what Dream Theater music videos did he direct? Because I don't see his name on any of the credits for directing their music videos.

[@arpeggioandsweep]

I know he directed the silent man video. But i don't know any others.

[@PerdidoNino]

But Pamela Birkhead directed the Silent Man video.

[@arpeggioandsweep]

Okey, i havent fact checked anything. I just remember Mike saying that in an interview or on a DT dvd.

[@PerdidoNino]

No worries man, I only know because I looked it up. Mike says things something that just make no sense.

[@MikePortnoyDT1]

All of the Live DVDs • Live Scenes From NY • Live At Budokan • Score • Chaos In Motion Check IMDB

[@ayusharipirala3121]

The energy is real on this one..why can't you host Wikipedia: Fact or fiction?

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Haha thank you! Dude was psyched about life and so was I to be there. Hmmm... I appreciate the suggestion but I have to say I would get bored doing that ... I try and avoid Wikipedia and the same old questions :) Thanks for watching!

[@christopherk111]

this is cool-now about lars---he was a brilliant , innovative drummer -the first four albums---unfortunately,he got swallowed and lost up his own arse--and peter kriss and ringo had swing about their playing.---awesome interview/conversation ..

[@GRYNGE7]

metalby c Peter Chris could've been an all time great drummer.

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Dude you totally suggested going into Lars territory on that Facebook thread, that whole conversation is due to you. Thank you! I totally agree he changed the game and goddamn man - they've stayed together with the same lineup excluding bassist for over thirty years - that kind of band leadership is fucking masterful.

[@anaxagoras0056]

Man OK Computer was released exactly on a day I was born...

[@hellraiser350]

good job..

[@charliesdrumshed9328]

Great interview but she forgot to ask about adrenaline mob album ormerta what a great album

[@airelljusuff2714]

subscribed

[@diaphanoux]

Prog nerds... There's not a better description for DT members!. It could come to a point which happened to MP.. it became stale!.. LOOL!!

[@brockbaldridge7620]

Charlie_33 screw you for that

[@4NIC8R-RUN2A69]

I just had to mention how stunningly beautiful you are, Christina.

[@TheVoidwithChristina]

Thank you!

[@SoundMuzak]

the dream theater logo tattoo on his left arm..

[@ArisAlamanos]

Christina: You are SO hot!

[@Styzer.]

"grabs mouse to the left hand"

[@marksadventures3889]

There's a reason why Ringo is so expensive a session player, it cost at least $6 K before he packs his sticks.

[@MastersApprentice123]

6:59 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!

[@Ricki_Snow]

They should’ve listened.

[@4NIC8R-RUN2A69]

I just wanted to make it known of how stunningly beautiful I think you are, Christina.

[@tinomendoza9372]

che vato le gusta tirar caca nomas hahha

[@l.hbravo8828]

Your look say look me desespertate

[@nsc217]

The interviewer is cute

[@JoeParrish]

A very arrogant guy. He's nowhere near the most prolific drummer in terms of output, the guys who do the most records are not famous personalities in metal bands, they are the serious session players like Vinnie Colaiuta or Steve Gadd who were making records when MP was still a kid. He talks about doing all these different kinds of music but he plays exactly the same on every album using exactly the same rudiments in every beat and fill for the past 20 years.

[@j.d.7208]

You must've been hit in the head really hard at some point

[@Yeomannn]

He seems cool