Mike Mangini (Dream Theater) - drumtalk [episode 52]

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Dream Theater's Mike Mangini with his second appearance on drumtalk -- but this time it's more personal!
Their new record 'Distance Over Time' just came out when we met, so the recording and writing process and everyone's contributions to it are in the center of this episode. But also how Dream Theater changed his playing, sacrifices, drummers and songwriting and intuition and surrealism versus intention are crucial topics in this awesome drum talk.
Enjoy!!

[@samdepaepe6534]

Truly a genuine nice guy, shame he get's so much criticism (did I write that right).. Wonderful human being and GREAT drummer!

[@steveschreiner9438]

Yes a supreme talent

[@VegasLoungeAct]

Almost 60 years old, and he still plays the shit out of the drums. 🤘

[@blandopher]

@WhoDarestheMAN gamer you know what Dirty Harry says about opinions... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nofPioCZqcdqj5Y

[@lloydslichenmyer]

@WhoDarestheMAN gamer Lang is amazing, including his triplet-time stuff and clean double-stroke bass. He doesn't match Mangini's polyrythim, immediate time recognition, and left/right lead hand skills. Let alone playing Dream Theater's ADTOE or 2013 album.

[@shellrox2878]

WhoDarestheMAN gamer You are literally everywhere hating Mangini. I remember seeing you months ago doing the same pathetic thing, besides the fact that your hatred makes you completely blind and ignorant about Mangini and his capabilities, you need to get a fucking life.

[@edrianmay]

Hmm....do you know the theory about polyrythm with 4 limbs?

[@ikhsanfahrizal2557]

Yeah that man just hate mangini haha

[@necrodestroyer]

love this guy and he does not deserve the hate

[@Brian-lt1rf]

He’s so genuine, intelligent and articulate! And obviously very tolerant because you can tell, he was pretty spent and tired and never acts annoyed that he’s having to answer a series of questions that he has to regurgitate 9 times a week! He’s inspiring!

[@Ferd7276]

Forgot to say... This dude is so humble, that even tho DT put him in that situation, he still respectful and thankful if this ass holes on DT. Just my and my along, opinion. Sorry if I offended any DT fan.

[@shanegriffin2215]

A true master. And a great human being.

[@primiramirez8747]

I still get Goosebumps when i watch Mike's reaction when he gets the phone call from DT. Amazing guy and supreme drummer!

[@renatomazzella3293]

Mangini amazing drummer..awesome song writer... his technique is incredible top notch 👍👍

[@8man943]

Mangini is a phenomenal drummer yet gets criticized for the absolute dumbest reasons.

[@Ordarnix]

He was so amazing live at the Dream Theater show's! Im gona miss this amazing guy/drummer..

[@BhuliBhuli]

What a great talk. Made me respect Mike Mangini even more, and that respect was already pretty damn high. He's truly a nice, funny person, who has some real deep feelings and thoughts, that strike at the very core of being a... Being. Great job Philipp, bravo. I hope you get to have another drum talk with Mike some day.

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you, great that you got something new ot of this. such a waste of time for everyone to do the same stuff all over again.

[@BhuliBhuli]

@@drumtalkofficial Indeed. Definitely going to check out more of your content! You got me hooked.

[@marcosrenan93]

This guy is definitely the best interviewer out there for sure

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you man! too kind... and not true at all :-) but very much appretiated

[@sethcashman1011]

You probably know that I've been a huge fan of this channel for a very long time and that I consider the drumtalk interviews to be the best I've seen/heard on KZbin, but this one is on yet another level. You posed the right questions to the right guy at the right moment. The result was a chat that transcended the typical musician interview and got right to the heart of the human being in front of the camera. Beautifully done. You've hit another milestone with this one.

[@drumtalkofficial]

thank you so much Seth!! I guess it's also that Mike and I have met a couple of times now, forming some trust that is necessary to open up

[@ajb-drums]

This is next level interviewing chops on display right here.

[@VladProkhorovDrums]

"when we love something, the learning experience is more important"

[@BuzzieBee77]

I was never a fan of Mike or his drumming... However, this outstanding interview has changed my opinion of him. Totally!!! . Thank you for this upload.

[@drumtalkofficial]

that's really awesome! I don't get why you wouldn't appretiate what Mike has to offer musically anyways -- regardless if you're a fan of the musical outputs he was involved in over the years or not. There's so much thought as well as feel behind it, why not take something from a source that is so rich both in quality and quantity instead of complaining about who is in Dream Theater and who is not and who can play faster or more polyrythmic and what have you...

[@BuzzieBee77]

@@drumtalkofficial Nicely said mate...I'm loving these interviews you guys are doing! Subscribe button clicked.

[@Jedizen07]

Thank you so much for this interview! As a guitar player, I've been a fan of Dream Theater for years. And it hurt me when Portnoy departed. But when I saw the documentary where Mangini was picked, I wasn't sure what to expect. Eventually, I've come to LOVE everything DT has done with Mangini. ( as well as all of the groups Portnoy has formed since then ). Mangini is a marvelous musician and totally focused which inspires me to improve my own guitar playing. Great job on this interview ( AND I love the black and white video look to these interviews ). Stellar stuff gang, nice job.

[@drumtalkofficial]

Thank you David! glad you dig it and thanks for praising the look. It was a choice both to make it more focussed on the conversation and to differ from other formats. also I'm a film scholar and I love film-noir and expressionist films :-)

[@jonathanvalentin3499]

Loved the questions but I loved the answers even more.

[@drumtalkofficial]

that's exactly how it should be!!!

[@VictorGonzalez-gk1nr]

What a brilliant interview, what an awesome musician and human being Mike is.

[@Harish-fc9ro]

Awesome drummer ( duh ), smart AF worked on patriot missile program as programmer, faculty member in Berklee college of music... AND managed to be so humble... WTF ... True Legend.

[@chopzmasta07]

It's all in what he said in this interview. He was raised to not open a fridge when he's in someone else's home. He was raised with respect and kindness. Taught to be humble

[@IVAN-fh7he]

Man, as far as I know ur not sponsored by any drums brand; and this is a FOKIN SHAME ! Best interviews!!! not that same old beaten usual shallow crap. Cheers m8 !

[@drumtalkofficial]

nope, no sponsorship at all. thanks a bunch IVAN!

[@kevinwener6114]

Man, seeing Mike drumming from every angle is amazing! Wish Mike would publish his drumcam from those point of view

[@darkswan80]

Such an intelligent man with an extremely original mindset.

[@Archontasil]

Been waiting a long time for him, thanks!

[@hedhuntervizo6749]

Wasn't he here before as well?

[@TheVermifuge]

Episode 22

[@drummerkaspars]

So awesome. Mike is such an incredible musician and personality.

[@shanegriffin2215]

This guy can do so many things that are just amazing.

[@bahritkharakor9257]

Great drummer...amazing personality..love it!

[@arisulistyoningsih9715]

Professor Mangini, so proud of u, thank's to Jesus created someone like u, not even Just ur expertise in music, but also ur personality in being humble, notice everything around u in a good way, for sure deliver All what u know so kindly to everybody, Huge Huge Love Professor, Salute...

[@tignusodrummer9212]

Really appreciate this kind of interview, usually all the questions are the same stuff, equipment, when you started, at what age etc etc....More like this please!

[@drumtalkofficial]

welcome to my channel buddy! I hate repeating myself, so yeah -- there is already much "More like this"... or rather UNLIKE this :-)

[@tignusodrummer9212]

@@drumtalkofficial thank you man ;)

[@jayadyrumengan6315]

Wow,,he is one of the best drummer in the world..

[@happiedasie878]

Excellent, I heard everything that was said as well as the silent messages... Humans need to feel the music you want to play we are all co creators searching our own rhythm. Happie

[@RandyHanley]

What an amazing interview with a master!

[@thunderanderson]

I love M.M. He is so Awesome, and I feel he's a good fit for D.T. BUT . . . It's sad to me that even though he was "Welcomed to the Family" he still seems to be the Red headed Step Child.

[@Tryggvasson]

this guy is awesome. he's not only a great drummer, but i really enjoy listening to him speak, which is really rare. he's really a deep guy. i was thinking about the rock'n roll stereotypes, and the kind of things regular rockers say in interviews, while i was watching these. to me, a rock'n roll interview - any interview - should always look a little like this. the abnormal thing is to watch those airheads barely able to string two ideas together, let alone deepen them any of them. although, to be honest, among musical genres, i think rock'n roll guys are deeper and more insightful than most.

[@drumtalkofficial]

thanks a lot Olaf! you have at least more or less 60 episodes that are "a little like this" ;-)

[@xthidrumsx]

Great Interview. Great questions...

[@johnbratton8420]

Never listened to Dream Theater till Mangini joined the band Rock on

[@arisulistyoningsih9715]

Me to bro, Mangini brought new colour n bring into high level of DT new performance

[@pacechcz]

Nice interview! Now all the DT booze heads can start whining about "better choice", "MP comeback", "DT is not the same anymore" ... etc. After all those years reading the same comments all over again, I am actually starting to enjoy them as a part of the DT world. The same way you enjoy mosquitos because it is freaking summer man!

[@michaelflorczyk1394]

I'm one of the biggest DT fans out there, and I totally agree! I cannot stand the online community of people who are still complaining about Mangini after he's been in the band for 11 years now. It's making me start to hate the fan base that I'm a part of. I will forever love DT and I love all the new albums with Mike on it.

[@danlc95]

Haha! Amen, sir!!

[@RafikGRizkallah]

how honest you are ? Love you mike

[@reactions4u438]

How does he still play drums so incredibly at 57

[@DavidOakesMusic]

He practices 24/7 twelve hours a day.

[@jamieharr4459]

Technique.

[@broquil]

@@DavidOakesMusic Sharp! ;)

[@davegarciaofficial]

@@DavidOakesMusic he practices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day? 🤔😆

[@thevirtualmarky]

What an amazing interview. Cheers, mate!

[@drumtalkofficial]

cheers Mark! \m/

[@Beepbopboh]

Open the fridge, Mike. It’s your fridge , too..... eat.

[@m.maddix2130]

Nice interview! Good questions! It gave me much more insight on song-compositions.

[@drumtalkofficial]

thanksalot M.! glad you got something new and inspiring out of it!

[@TheAxe4Ever]

At the end when the interviewer said “It wasn’t a suggestion to take drugs.” Good lord! Could you imagine Mike Mangini all coked up? Not only with his playing but also how he speaks and how his mind is constantly in motion and jumping from one thing to another. It would be exhausting to watch! 😂

[@arisulistyoningsih9715]

One more thing, u r is what u r, no need copying others, u improved urself by learning, have so much experiences, pushing All ur knowledge out of the limit , n of course stick with ur deep intuition that's what make u genuine

[@TheBeginningOfMusic]

Great interview! Thanks so much for all your efforts!

[@drumtalkofficial]

you're absolutely welcome!!

[@f4lc0n15]

This is amazing, thanks a lot!

[@kristian3459]

Great interview thanks Drumtalk

[@---do2qd]

Great interview, this is my favorite channel on youtube

[@munton5150]

I hope Mike is happy. He seems not in the best place here- very serious and maybe a little burned out but perhaps he was just tired this interview. The latest album came out so good- possibly their best work with MM and perhaps Paralyzed which he co-wrote a high point- and I hope the touring life wasn't hurting him or anything else. Also I hope JP playing with MP on his new solo album does not create any issues for MM. MM deserves the best he is a class act and not in an easy position. He is the Bruce Lee of drumming. He should do more supergroup projects! Maybe an LTE 3 with MM! Now that MP is confirmed on the JP solo why not. It would be amazing. This coming from the owner of two of his pieces of art. Never random.

[@darinsteele7091]

The DT train doesn't stop for nobody

[@munton5150]

@@darinsteele7091 I can't argue that. Same time I think their latest album IMHO was one of their best in a while.

[@jichola]

Luckily it seems that things had changed - at least this interview kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIKaoZyhhp6Gr8U with the whole band looks like that. And maybe it was just the time and the proces they all needed, you know - you live, you learn.

[@asabovesobelow2299]

11:18 Casting couch? Hahahah

[@vitotondo3274]

“My mind go places, sorry”...”I see things”...The smirk of Mangini, lol!

[@asabovesobelow2299]

@@vitotondo3274 hahaha

[@danielmj85]

I perceive a certain uncomfortably of him for being in that Band , the "fridge" part show something ... Something like , "you're the drummer, just follow this and that (JP AND JR)"

[@MulletMan3108]

Yeah I didn't really understand this. I know for ADToE he had no involvement because it was already pre-written. I'm pretty sure he had some involvement on DT13 with the creative process, whereas The Astonishing he didn't have input as it was just JP/JR. Bit sad to see imo.

[@chopzmasta07]

They wasted 5-6 years, if not more of creative potential. I love the band but it frustrated the hell out of me that he didn't get to freely let out his ideas. It took them until Distance over time for them to say "Hey Mike, you can really play! Want to contribute?." Hopefully if there's another album, they will let Mike write and contribute more. Because songs like 'Paralyzed' and 'Pale blue dot' are absolute beast mode.

[@ThomasJakobMusic]

Such a great personality.

[@Weltfremdheit]

Two geniuses conversing! Awesome.

[@SchGtr]

Love Mike, love this channel!

[@drumtalkofficial]

thanxalot!!

[@The_Crooked_Step]

Would it be possible for you to upload the entire drum cam here on youtube? Loved the little clips in between the questions!

[@drumtalkofficial]

well, maybe. let's see if that works out

[@unniesleeper2473]

Mike,you is the best of the world!!!!!!!!

[@asabovesobelow2299]

32:58 fastest clap ever

[@ciskokidd1313]

Just a master at his craft! Haters hold my beer!!!

[@austin5732]

My favorite drummers in no order: Gavin Harrison, Mike portnoy, Mike mangini, Marco Minneman. Martin Lopez (opeth era)

[@braiantucker8088]

Sooooo humble...

[@hedhuntervizo6749]

Awesome!

[@MrNatebain]

Can we see the full videos of the music you played in this video with Mike's drumcam action? PLEASE tell me where I can watch it... There is so very little drum cam footage of Mike playing available :(

[@drumtalkofficial]

sorry mate -- can't upload the whole thing...

[@MrNatebain]

@@drumtalkofficial Understand mate ... agreements were made I'm sure ... love your vids though... thanks :)

[@alienman6016]

Nice! On black and white. Coool!

[@drumtalkofficial]

welcome to my channel :-)

[@davegarciaofficial]

Clearly trouble in DT paradise. They’re working through it it seems but man it’s funny to see MM when he got the gig to his demeanor now. This is a tired, frustrated musician who knows DT is his gravy train and is just doing what he has to do to make it work.

[@arisulistyoningsih9715]

Seem u have a healthy life Professor, which is good to be seen by other musicians

[@jamieharr4459]

Came to work on my drumming. Left knowing I need to work on my life.

[@TheVermifuge]

Beautiful ivy garden. Shoots in black and white 🤣

[@drumtalkofficial]

well, you're the ones that are stuck with it -- I can mute the adjustment layer whenever I want :-)

[@TheVermifuge]

drumtalk Its all good. I enjoyed the video and the synergy between Mike and the interviewer. Very insightful.

[@drumtalkofficial]

sure man, was just joking. there have been more than a dozen of episodes that looked great in color but I chose to have this certain look

[@zioziozie]

Wait, you guys have Untethered Angel drum cam?

[@sodeiku]

Is this shoot before the pandemic?

[@drumtalkofficial]

sure, talk in July 2019, live footage in February 2020

[@sodeiku]

Man, i really miss going to the concerts

[@danangseta]

he looks like an older-male-serious-professor version of Marisa Tomei

[@hedhuntervizo6749]

No wonder my pants felt a little tighter all of a sudden.

[@genustinca5565]

Mangini often gets crap for playing to mechanical and not being as musical as Portnoy was in DT, but on the last album I think he did a pretty good job.

[@hedhuntervizo6749]

29:00 lol

[@RazeTheWeak]

He looks and sounds like how Jonathan Davis would have turned out if he had studied music at Berklee. Lol

[@Darylrb1983]

He looks like Alex skulnik here sometimes lol

[@codymckenna2932]

Who actually disliked this video?

[@BoogieWoogieCat]

If you scroll down through the comments, you're gonna have an idea. Some people just have no respect for this guy. I don't understand why.

[@Djentstructer]

5:40

[@wojciechwolak2832]

He kinda looks like Severus Snape.

[@NIJHR]

??? why would you want your cymbals that high

[@underpressureman]

Too much reverb bud!!!

[@mattywoo3649]

Mike looks and seems very tired...

[@drumtalkofficial]

and it's exactly his and my first confession: we were both tired as hell

[@Ferd7276]

I couldn't understand how such a talented drummer like Mangini, sound so terrible in DT. Now I know. I used to think, " even in Extreme the drumms sounded awesome..." Man... It most be so hard for Mangini to take so much crap from us "DT fans" including my self, when in reality the band put him in that position on not be himself and part of the band like he should. Very selfish on the hole band for that. Kudos to Mangini.

[@blandopher]

@ ​Ferd Resto Actually he sounds much, much better live. I suspect his studio sound is due to John Petrucci's production choices... anyway listening to Distance Over Time I seem to hear a distinct improvement, even if I have to admit I don't have a great hi-fi system. As far as I know, since Mike Portnoy left the band JP chose to try and recreate the Images & Words vibe, so if you listen to A Dramatic Turn Of Events the drums sound exactly like they did on I&W, and you know how much Mike Portnoy HATED, and rightly so, the sound of his own drums on that album. Other than that, with Mike Portnoy out of the equation, I don't think there's a drummer around that fits better to Dream Theater than Mike Mangini. There are so many, many talented drummers but to be in DT you don't have to be "only" a technically proficient musician. You have to fit in as a person, as a team player, you have to be committed to heavy touring schedules, and obviously you have to acknowledge the fact that in that band there's a hierarchy which has to be accepted... There's a whole wide range of things and issues that have to be taken into consideration. The famous auditions movie has shown just that: as far as great as they are - hell, they are amazing - I don't think Virgil Donati or Marco Minnemann would have been the right choices, all considered. The first one did not fit in as a person, the latter didn't even like DT's music. I'd be ready to bet everything that both of them would have lasted only one album and tour.

[@zolwikwkurwik]

Petrucci is making his new solo album with Portnoy. That tells me allot about Mangini.

[@MrBluesboy21]

I don't think so, when Portnoy was in D. T. Petrucci use another drummer for Suspended Animation, what I'm saying is that there's no obligation to use the current drummer from the band on their solo projects.

[@HenrySolly40]

DT should learn his stuff and present something new...Change with great talent will be better...Love Portnoy, but he is gone now.

[@chopzmasta07]

Yes! 100%. Mike has a vault of ideas. And we haven't seen everything he's capable of.

[@jmp469]

I'm no hater... I respect the dude 100% but my sincere and irrelevant opinion is that this dude still a defensive answering hired gun and a little bit tedious, both, talking and drumming. But all my respects to this hell of a musician.

[@WODZIO1988ns]

I like Manginis style but in DT Portnoy was better for me. I don't know why but Portnoys style fits better.

[@kangooroo1]

SORRY. HE SOUNDS LIKE AN EARLY 80' DRUM MACHINE.

[@perrostupido]

The mic placement could be better. Otherwise very informative and enjoyable episode once again!

[@drumtalkofficial]

let's call it hair.... if you're alone and you have to concentrate on having a deep conversation while you're reframing 5 cameras, well those things just happen

[@perrostupido]

@@drumtalkofficial Fair enough! Keep up the good work! :)