Mike Portnoy: MUSIC BIZ PAINFUL LESSONS LEARNED

[@ghettostreamlabs5724]

Mike is a national treasure. Some of his best material is on the "director commentary" versions of the DVD's. Love his insight and honesty.

[@unluckykeys]

@@ghettostreamlabs5724 i hope they'll bring back the commentaries on their live videos, i miss that more than anything else. they feel like a totally different band without that stuff

[@davidkiefer9875]

Mike Portnoy is a world class individual, a totally honest and very true - great guy - thanks Mike!

[@Darkest_of_Winter]

An absolutely fantastic interview. Really thoughtful, respectful, and insightful questions. Honestly the best interview I’ve ever watched with Mike. He has been my hero since 6th grade, 38 years old now. I’ve got my stories of when I met Mike too, a true inspiration for many. Thank you for this video!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words, Jerry... and glad you enjoyed this :-)

[@MatteoCampos-lq1jp]

Is Mike a really nice guy to meet? I wanna meet him someday!

[@Darkest_of_Winter]

@@MatteoCampos-lq1jp He is absolutely a true gent. Aside from being my personal musical hero, he is so fun to talk to about anything. He is gracious and very generous with his time.

[@27pugsly]

Mike is such a genuine guy and I’m glad he’s back in DT . I mean his character is why he’s back !

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Yes, I agree @27pugsly - thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !

[@mikeb598]

meh. He's an arrogant dude that thinks he's always the best musician in the room.

[@PimpMasterT]

@@mikeb598 He never acts like he's the best in the room. He's quite humble, and if seemingly not so, he is joking around.

[@Ziri1506]

@@27pugsly true

[@glauciodea.nascimento909]

Mike rocks all the times he plays the drums. He makes easily a song more gracious and beautiful, giving his touch to a nice riff, his solos to intense parts in a song, his broken compass or speed, always increasing total feeling in a song. He makes fairy tales-like songs better than Disney, metal to be more heavy and so on, sometimes it looks like the guitars are playing to his drums. Congrats Mike. You and John are the best.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on Gláucio de A. Nascimento, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe

[@Marifet124]

Completely agreed, good set of ears you have!

[@niaw27]

He is a deep true artist. Pure genius musician. it was never about the drum, or only about his ego when he left DT. He understand all kinds of details about music industry, so I figured out about the burn-out despite his long life relationship with the guys in DT. Sometimes we need to break from something we love in order to keep the love. More than anything he is a family man, and a good kid, well now becoming a legend

[@CynHicks]

I mean, all he wanted was for all of them to take a break from touring for a couple of years. They didn't feel that they were in the financial position and/or it was a good idea. I'm not saying I would blame any of them. I'm only pointing out that you're correct. I can't understand anyone having animosity towards him. It makes no sense to me, as a fan. I can understand very personal, internal conflict from words said or not said but for fans I think it's silly.

[@BRINK_Music]

Winery Dogs - Such a rare thing when you have a band of virtuoso's who also play incredible music which isn't instrumentals. My favourite band hands down, huge respect to the three of you.

[@ScotBlickenderfer-zp2sd]

So glad to have you back with DT, Mike!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on @ScotBlickenderfer-zp2sd, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻

[@Javisebas26]

This is by far the most honest and passionate version of Michael Stephen Portnoy...... There are a thousand reasons why I appreciate and value everything Mike has done for the world of music.... Such passion, love and that ungravering commitment to express yourself to the whole world the way you are and facing, in such a brave way those bad moments life always put you in, that's completely admirable.. Congratulations!!!!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on, thanks Javier!

[@JPM777]

What???? I just got this... One of my favorite musicians, my favorite Drummer (after Neil Peart R.I.P.) and an admirable overall person. Thanks so much for this interview Craig. Can't wait listening to it....

[@JPM777]

First Like ;)

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

You're welcome Jon, glad you are digging this!

[@themaddrummerofficial]

I LOVED the question "What have you learned?" I think Mike did a great job of answering the question. But I really enjoyed the way in which you ASKED the question. You could tell it wasn't backloaded with an agenda to stir something up. This was a very comfortable interview to watch. I really enjoyed it.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words and glad you enjoyed this... life's tough enough when you're playing it straight - agendas would make it incrementally more stressful. Thanks for listening man! 👍🏻🎸♫

[@themaddrummerofficial]

@@EveryoneLovesGuitar Mike was one of the first "stars" to get behind me many years ago. He helped me with endorsements, and even did a cameo in one of my videos. LOL Keep in mind, he received NOTHING from any of it. He just did it because he wanted to help. I never asked, he just offered. That tells you everything you need to know about Mike Portnoy. And he's done the same thing for many others (not just me). 🙏

[@RickNBacker]

Two Mike incidents stand out for me, both of them from Transatlantic "making of" DVDs... one where he's sitting on the floor of the studio, mapping out the arrangement for one of their epics with a marker on a board. I was "that guy" when I played in bands... the other was where he told a story about having a heated disagreement with Neal Morse while recording the album and getting up the next morning, realizing he was wrong and apologizing to Neal, shows the humility he has... great dude!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on @RickNBacker, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻

[@lobosioux9961]

AWESOME interview, loved the spiritual and heartfelt way it was driven. I'm an alcoholic and addict in recovery for 11 years. Never thought that one of my biggest metal heroes was a partner. The 12 step suite was inspiring and motivating for my own recovery process.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Congratulations on your sobriety and thanks a bunch for listening, glad you enjoyed this!

[@Deathz0r23]

good shit on your sobriety bruv. I'm sober from alcohol for over six years at this point and other narcotics for nearly two. It works if you work it.

[@Clintamis]

Cool that Portnoy keeps a dream theater poster on his wall. He really has no regrets.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Agreed!

[@EvilSkeltos]

Great interview here I really enjoyed this. I also have a different kind of appreciation for how cool this dude is...lol I mean he totally reminds me of a mere mortal such as ourselves, while in my eyes Mike is a true musical legend. I thought I knew everything about this guy until now... I'd have to agree also the DT 20th anniversary tour, I drove alone from my house in Milwaukee WI, to Chicago for that show and it was the greatest musical performance I've experienced in my life hands down. Beginning to end had my jaw dropped to the floor in amazing perfection. 8ts hard to put in words when you're there as a part of something that epic, I'll just say it's the # 1 show I still get goosebumps when I think about it. Over 17 years ago now it's been a journey for me, I can't imagine how these guys feel after such things.

[@kb441ate]

That took me a while to find one among million of others

[@wout808]

The dude has a complete museum on DT related stuff!

[@CynHicks]

@@wout808 I mean, it was his baby just like the others. His dad even suggested the name. I would've been shocked if he had any other feelings of the band. Right?

[@jimbones5621]

yo portnoy we share a birthday. you are a huge inspiration to me as a writer and drummer. keep kickin ass man

[@alanarnold6660]

Love everything Mike Portnoy has done! Thank you for doing this and thank you Mike for your inspiration!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening 🔥 🎶 🎸

[@bumzigan]

Another great interview Craig, and like you said, Mike seems like such a sweet guy. His achievements and work ethic are mind blowing. The thing that seems to repeat in these interviews that I have listened to so far, is that the success was gained by how the obstacles and setbacks were dealt with rather than the opportunities that were presented

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening bumzigan! 🎉🔥😇 And I agree with you :-)

[@munkeepilot]

Much respect!!! Lots of hard and intimate topics covered here, and described with such humility and grace.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words @munkeepilot and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for listening! Subscribe & check out the rest of our interviews here: kzbin.info 🎶 💥 🎸

[@scottsmith2687]

I was happy to hear him say the Winery Dogs are planning to do a third album in the near future 🙂

[@SteveKaynan]

Awesome interview with Mike Portnoy!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Steve, CG

[@keylead]

Really nice interview! Thanks guys. Thanks Mr. Portnoy.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed the interview @keylead, and thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !

[@MDUBE5999]

WOW!! I must say!!! WHOA!! What an interview!! Thank you both. Especially Mike for being so vulnerable!! WHOA!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Marcel, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶

[@versus5150]

5 albums, no rush 🥺U rule Mike! Thanks for the great content @EveryoneLovesGuitar

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for your kind words @versus5150 and glad you enjoyed this 👍🏻🎸♫

[@einarwilliamfreberg8220]

Tremendous as always!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Einar - you're the man! Have a great weekend :-)

[@gohyung]

I instantly became a fan of yours. You have organized such a nice list of questions for MP! I really appreciate this interview.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks @gohyung - very kind of you and thank you for listening - glad you enjoyed this!

[@AmerAliMusic]

Really Nice interview by Mr. Portnoy . So much respect .

[@tris8176]

Another great interview. Mike has been an inspiration for 30 years, a great drummer and great human being.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Yes, I agree Tris - thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !

[@driftless7134]

Great interview! I'd love to see Mr. Portnoy have the opportunity to play with Lee and Lifeson. That would be incredible.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Yes, I agree Driftless Bear - thanks for listening!

[@Hmbldzy99]

Thanks for this. Because of you, now I've heard Portnoy-Sheehan-MacAlpine-Sherinian and my mind is shattered. WOW.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Haha, right on Hmbldzy99, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe

[@JPM777]

Craig, please interview Richie Kotzen as well :)

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

On my list, promise... :-)

[@malawigw]

Nicko McBrain was elected into modern drummer hall of fame 2020, later the same year this interview took place :)

[@BMR86]

Is this the interview I saw Mike Portnoy tweet about?... he said something about this being the best interview he has gotten in a loooong time... let´s see..

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Yes Bruno, this is the one he talked about on his socials :-) Hope you enjoyed it!

[@1976oswald]

i guess a jackson bass at the background in mike portnoys room :) Awesome !!!

[@chillymilly6063]

Best interview I‘ve ever seen.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you!

[@A_PROPHET]

What a gem of KZbin!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening Dough8311! 🎉🔥😇

[@munkeepilot]

My biggest achievements? My wife and kids. Wow, mad respect. Definitely NOT the stereotypical rock musician. It's no wonder Mike has such a huge and loyal following, he's a down-to-earth guy

[@OpethianDream2112]

Love it, MP is awesome. Thanks Mike for all you do!

[@bl00ber99]

great interviewing skills! Loved the questions you asked, and it was really interesting to sit through :)

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed the interview bl00ber99, and thanks for listening 💥 🎶 🎸 !

[@YesOkayButWhy]

Mike's a beautiful soul.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @YesOkayButWhy! 🎉🔥😇

[@Eccentrics]

Best Mike Portnoy interview. He is the man!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@gustavorocha78]

Thank you for sharing it!

[@pakalupapito1528]

Thank you for this interview, loved it

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlosclerigadrums]

Congrats Craig! your interviews are so deep, fun and absolutely great!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Carlos, thank you so much, glad you are enjoying the show and thank you for listening man - stay safe! 🎸 🙌🏻 😃

[@christianaquino8677]

Mike I follow all your career as a Musician , I love when you play , I Love when your explain , really looks like a good person and I thinks left DT was a hard choice to made , I miss you in DT but I follow all your works , thanks , from ARGENTINA 🤘👍

[@TomDrums]

Great interview! Real questions, real answers. Thanks for sharing!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Cool, thanks for listening Tom!

[@kevinminor2836]

amazing interview, I've been following DT since around 2002 when I was 8, and this is a very insightful and personal interview. Great job!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Hey thanks Kevin, appreciate you listening!

[@kevinminor2836]

@@EveryoneLovesGuitar of course, man! cant wait to see future interviews and content!

[@ccasche5088]

great words and great lessons

[@martyndunn6337]

Awesome interview. Well done. I enjoyed every second.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Martyn!

[@davidpinnington213]

This popped up on my feed as a long time MP fan - wow what deep and personal interview - excellent and you have a subscriber - MP needs to finish his beard trim or maybe the purple broke free

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks David, glad you enjoyed this :-)

[@ephesians.6]

Gosh I love him.

[@christianaquino8677]

You realy got balls Men , I realy disapoint when you out DT , but now I understand you , its realy devastating ruuning all DT stuff 👍👌

[@ericn471]

Wonderful interview - both sides did a great great job!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Eric, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for listening!

[@garagus]

Great interview....

[@mikedervos5974]

what an amazing interview man!!! This is why Mike is one of the best and awesome musicians ever ! i really really enjoyed the interview!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed it so much!

[@mandylee87]

fantastic!

[@pauloswald3842]

'It's never innocent again' Mike Portnoy you are a beautiful reel human. And isn't that all you can really ask from anyone? Your drumming has made my world nice! I love you!!

[@jobaecker9752]

Superb!

[@adityatyagi4009]

Update: Mike Portnoy has rejoined DT!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

That is cool @adityatyagi4009! Thanks for listening 💥🎶🔥

[@VincePalamarasecretservicejfk]

very good interview

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Vince!

[@philippphilson966]

Great interview with a living legend Thx a lot

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening Philipp Philson! 🎉🔥😇

[@chessbrainiac]

One of the best interviews of Mike Portnoy I've ever heard. Now do Devin Townsend. If you didn't already.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Ole... yes, I hope to connect with Devin at some point. I'm sure it'll happen. Thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed the interview!

[@tylersherkin9487]

Pretty cool interview, pretty balanced responses and stuff. Great listen.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Tyler :-)

[@dorianmarin6081]

All Mike Journey is impressive,with all this bands… But he’s place is in Dream Theater!!

[@nikrumo]

amazing interview with an amazing artist! thanks to both of you! greetings from germany

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening Dominik ! 🎉🔥😇

[@LuisArreazaLandaeta]

Grrreat interview!!!

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks Luis!

[@floling]

my question to MP: have you been to a DT concert since you left?

[@KingXanadu]

Excellent interview

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you!

[@roryoconnor861]

Great interview. Thanks

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks for listening Rory!

[@ajm5150]

Best Drummer! Cool guy! 🤘😎

[@HalenShredder]

45:20 I don't think anyone needs to hear that more than LaBrie. That's probably the closest thing to any semblance of an olive branch. Really wish they would make up.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks TheOctavariumTheory, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe

[@hubertrazack]

And indeed Blabbermouth did make a headline out of the interview :-)

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

haha, yes they sure did...!

[@KevinSnydermoonlighttide]

Are we going to hear the 12 step epic with Dream Theater now? It could be possible they are letting Mike write the Setlist again.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Right on @KevinSnydermoonlighttide, thanks for listening! 🎸💥🙌🏻

[@LianGeorge]

My Idol 🔥😍😘

[@sansubr]

50th birthday!?? Wtf.. he looks 35!

[@Hzim007]

44:15

[@UPIL.INDONESIA]

What I realized is that, when a band got too deep into the commercial world, like Dream Theater is, it's basically runs like a company. You hire the band, practically you hire the whole gang of production members. As if in an airplane that needs 5 pilots to fly and hundreds of passengers, when 1 pilot got tired, of course he/she has to be replaced to keep the engine running no matter what. When it's running like a company, basically you're carying hundreds of people behind you too. And I bet, IT WAS A HARD DECISION made by Portnoy to leave the band.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening Universitas Peternakan Ikan Lele - UPIL! 🎉🔥😇

[@PimpMasterT]

Wow....A Change of Seasons suddenly got even better....somehow. Didn't know that backstory about his mom :(

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

thanks for listening!

[@stefandobrev2238]

The bands Mike has been in are like Daenerys' names

[@user-ek2fn3qg8w]

I am not saying Mike had anything to do with the art. Did anyone know or care that the band's album, released 9-11-2001, had a picture of the World Trade Centers on its cover. As a society, we need to wake up to what is known ahead of time and/or is being told to us by the music world. Great interview.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thanks T, Rock on! 🎸🙌🏻🔥🎶

[@kai326]

I don’t think anyone was predicting anything, I do think it was a bit tasteless of them to include the twin towers on the art considering the release date AND the city where the concert took place

[@69CamaroSS]

1:08:04 ......annnnnnd at least 2 dozen bands collectively SHAT THEMSELVES!!!

[@sub-zero-Brasil]

Neal Morse, a great musician and Christian Pastor ... Yes, Portnoy´s be converted to christian life´s !

[@rodolforibas]

Uncle Hank? Is it you?

[@Ayieplaysdrum660]

My idol mp 🙏🏻😍😍😍

[@christianaquino8677]

The music of DT isnt the same without you , you a re like the director of a orchestra , running thw music from the backscenario !

[@ChrisSmith-wj8yw]

He lives in Pennsylvania dude

[@todds.6028]

I'm pretty sure Lars Ulrich is in the MD hall of Fame.

[@RickNBacker]

When does he sleep?

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Probably not often lol!

[@christianaquino8677]

I dont know if I writhe corractly 🙏

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

I understood it all and thank you for listening Christian Aquino! 🎉🔥😇 subscribe: elg.fun/subscribe

[@reactions4u438]

He's a great drummer, mangini is better I think, but both have very different drumming styles

[@jaybiles4802]

Dream Theater seems to have lost that dynamic personality with Mike Portnoy leaving the band. The rest of the guys seem pretty reserved.

[@andrewraphael3800]

Mangini might be technically better, but he lacks feel. Portnoy's drumming has groove, swings and fits in the pocket. It feels natural, whereas Mangini sounds robotic/programmed on the records (and a bit tentative live). I like Mangini as a person, but nothing DT has done in the new era has moved me in any way. Hats off to those who enjoy the newer records but my enjoyment of DT exists in 1985-2010.

[@andrewraphael3800]

I honestly think the rest of DT should have taken on board what Mike said about being burnt out. Even if they didn't feel it, the music they've been producing recently just feels too processed, recycled and uninspired - in a word corporate DT music (which sounds strange saying it) - DT is now a brand, which is at odds with how they started@@jaybiles4802

[@mattpurcell3369]

Non musical talents, none? You're wrong, you are a super father. Look at what your kids have become

[@chessbrainiac]

Well...it might have been genetics, or they might have a really great mother. Or both. But nevertheless, we can at the very least conclude that he didn't completely fuck it up...!

[@DeanThomson]

Mike can't seem sit still - constantly rocking back and forth. Haha.

[@reactions4u438]

That's a common thing with drummers

[@redsed1565]

what the fuqqq! Portnoy wanted back in years ago and they rejected him! Why the change of mind now? Feel so sorry for Mangini.

[@martyndunn6337]

Probably due to James.

[@darthslater6077]

GRHOL!!? Him and not JOHN FUCKIN BONHAM!!!???? Out rageous!!!!

[@MrUltraworld]

Dream Theater lost it's balls when Mike left. He wrote the heavy riffs. DT is not the same, it's not as good.

[@safelyanonymous5717]

the same can be said when kevin moore left; i think DT's best recent LLP was the first after he left with a dramatic turn of events

[@ThrawnTheater]

Good interview but that ad break came out of nowhere and kind of made you seem like a shill... still like the content though

[@antoniokofoed7139]

No offense to deep purple but where the hell are deep purple touring lol.

[@sickofyou4408]

Dethroned by Dave grohl, wtf

[@dinoc734]

He’s was always the pr guy, so everything was kind of left to him to push the band. But you can’t cage up or pigeon hole someone as eclectic as portnoy. Even DT search for a drummer was kind of over board imo.

[@EveryoneLovesGuitar]

Thank you for listening @dinoc734! 🎉🔥😇

[@lmr124]

drugs rules