(Now online!) Interviewing Mike Mangini in a few days, give me your questions!

[Knguro]

The three times I met him he was fresh out of the shower after the gig, so I got nuthin'. 

I met them all twice (can you actually meet someone twice?), no MP BTW, and yes, MM same thing, fresh out of the shower, great guys overall, JM still an enigma but a very polite, quite, humble guy. All i can say is that i smelled their pizza, does that work for you guys?

[sneakyblueberry]

The three times I met him he was fresh out of the shower after the gig, so I got nuthin'. 

What kind of shampoo does he use? Pe(a)rt Plus?

-Marc.

 

When I met him he was fresh drinking a Stella.

ewwww.  my opinion of the man has soured somewhat.

[TheGreatPretender]

ewwww.  my opinion of the man has soured somewhat.

Oh come on. My opinion of JLB didn't sour when I found out he drinks Chai Lattes.

[sneakyblueberry]

ewwww.  my opinion of the man has soured somewhat.

Oh come on. My opinion of JLB didn't sour when I found out he drinks Chai Lattes.

Because chai latte's are delicious when the occasion calls.  Stella's taste like a piece of shit.  They call Stella's 'wife beaters' round here

[rumborak]

Stella is the classic "beer nobody in the origin country drinks". Same holds for Beck's, Foster's etc. Except Bud. People actually drink that.

[sneakyblueberry]

Except Bud. People actually drink that.

God knows why.

[rumborak]

I think we all know the answer.

[TheGreatPretender]

Because chai latte's are delicious when the occasion calls.  Stella's taste like a piece of shit.  They call Stella's 'wife beaters' round here

If by delicious you mean have all the wonderful flavor of scented hand soap, then sure, they're delicious.

[Kotowboy]

ewwww.  my opinion of the man has soured somewhat.

Oh come on. My opinion of JLB didn't sour when I found out he drinks Chai Lattes.

Because chai latte's are delicious when the occasion calls.  Stella's taste like a piece of shit.  They call Stella's 'wife beaters' round here

I'm teetotal but Stella does indeed taste fucking awful.  I don't know how people can drink it. To me it tastes like seawater and vinegar.

[sylvinception]

Interviewing Mike Mangini in a few days...

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................

[hefdaddy42]

Interviewing Mike Mangini in a few days...

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................

[rumborak]

Here's actually a question: Do you have to clear the questions beforehand with DT management/MM?

[nikatapi]

Here's actually a question: Do you have to clear the questions beforehand with DT management/MM?

Well, no. But Mike very politely asked me to send him the transcription (because we're not releasing audio) once i'm done, to make sure that what is written is what he meant while talking. He told me that sometimes he might say something that gets misunderstood, or maybe he doesn't mean it this way, so he wants to make sure his message comes across.

But no limits to questions whatsoever, at least that's my experience, there was no DT manager there, only the manager from Zildjian who is a very nice and friendly guy. Actually Mike asked for more time when he came to warn us about time running out, and he was cool with it.

And i know it's taking a while, so here's a funny moment from the interview just to keep you entertained https://soundcloud.com/nikatapi/mm-funny

[TheGreatPretender]

Aww man, why no audio?

[nikatapi]

Aww man, why no audio?

Sorry man, i might release the audio later, but our site doesn't do audio interviews yet. (not my rules)

[TheGreatPretender]

That sucks. You should do like a DTF Happy Holidays release of the audio interview. 

[nikatapi]

That sucks. You should do like a DTF Happy Holidays release of the audio interview. 

 
Great idea!

[Kotowboy]

Interviewing Mike Mangini in a few days...

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................

I hear Ed Norton is a bell end to work with.

[Madman Shepherd]

Here's actually a question: Do you have to clear the questions beforehand with DT management/MM?

Well, no. But Mike very politely asked me to send him the transcription (because we're not releasing audio) once i'm done, to make sure that what is written is what he meant while talking. He told me that sometimes he might say something that gets misunderstood, or maybe he doesn't mean it this way, so he wants to make sure his message comes across.

Wow.  I wonder if this is a new thing.  Surely he can't read every interview he does, even though he doesn't do an insane amount of interviews, that would take up an incredible amount of time. 

I'm thinking this may be in response to one of his recent interviews that got people buzzing about something he said about Portnoy.  I can't even remember what it was because I didn't think it was that big of a deal but some people got a bit miffed at it. 

[TheGreatPretender]

Wow.  I wonder if this is a new thing.  Surely he can't read every interview he does, even though he doesn't do an insane amount of interviews, that would take up an incredible amount of time. 

I'm thinking this may be in response to one of his recent interviews that got people buzzing about something he said about Portnoy.  I can't even remember what it was because I didn't think it was that big of a deal but some people got a bit miffed at it.

Well, I'm sure touring, and spending all that time on the bus, or plane, there is some reading time.

[nikatapi]

Ok friends, it's finally published, and you can read it here! https://noisefull.com/interviews/mike-mangini-dream-theater

[hefdaddy42]

Great read!  He has a really great energy and attitude.

[erwinrafael]

That's like one of the most informative MM interviews ever. Especially regarding the Dream Theater album. Amazing.

And I was right. That Tu tu tu pa tu part in IT is MM.

[Sycsa]

Great interview!

[goo-goo]

Thanks for the interview! Very interesting read

[bl5150]

Great interview!

[rumborak]

Excellent read, great interview.

[TheGreatPretender]

Awesome interview!
Man, reading that last part, I say we can wait for the next album. Let the guys have some R&R for a few months.

[rumborak]

Might as well start discussing it!

- I'm not sure I understand why the size of his kit became a sound issue in the studio (because of bleeding), but not on BTFW. I think it's pretty safe to say that they were under more time pressure setting up at the Opera House than in the studio.
- I think it's interesting to hear (or at least hear him allude to) the rationale behind the click tracks and the fixed setlists. I probably have to say "let's agree to disagree", because I kinda go to live shows for exactly the variability he mentions.

[nikatapi]

Thank you for the feedback, i hope you enjoyed reading the interview!

Might as well start discussing it!

- I'm not sure I understand why the size of his kit became a sound issue in the studio (because of bleeding), but not on BTFW. I think it's pretty safe to say that they were under more time pressure setting up at the Opera House than in the studio.
- I think it's interesting to hear (or at least hear him allude to) the rationale behind the click tracks and the fixed setlists. I probably have to say "let's agree to disagree", because I kinda go to live shows for exactly the variability he mentions.

I think that the fixed setlist makes things easier for everyone, band and the crew, so i guess this is the number one reason why it's happening. Jordan also said that the whole rotating setlist thing was weird, tiring and sometimes frustrating for them. Of course i understand why this was something that made the band unique, but i can't blame them for trying to better performers and keeping their piece of mind.

Also a point that i didn't see mentioned, and i don't know if it was mentioned in another interview, is that Mike didn't like the snare sound, just went along with it, trying not to be egoistical. Personally i still don't like it, but i'm impressed by how tactful and respectful Mike is, since it's his sound we're talking about, but he can take a step back if there is a vision behind the change. Very cool.

Another thing, is his ADTOE sound, i couldn't agree more, and i felt while talking in person that he is not very fond of his sound on the album.

This whole discussion makes me optimistic about the next album, we see progress with each album, so i guess the next one will be even better in terms of drum sound.

[TheGreatPretender]

I think that the fixed setlist makes things easier for everyone, band and the crew, so i guess this is the number one reason why it's happening. Jordan also said that the whole rotating setlist thing was weird, tiring and sometimes frustrating for them. Of course i understand why this was something that made the band unique, but i can't blame them for trying to better performers and keeping their piece of mind.

Plus JP said that it was a presentation issue, wanting the whole set to be its own journey in the way it's experienced. So there's that.

Though I do think having two or three songs switch back and forth wasn't a bad thing, like last time. But this time, I definitely had peace of mind in not having to worry that I won't get to hear the "better" setlist, or miss out on certain songs.

[nikatapi]

Plus JP said that it was a presentation issue, wanting the whole set to be its own journey in the way it's experienced. So there's that.

Though I do think having two or three songs switch back and forth wasn't a bad thing, like last time. But this time, I definitely had peace of mind in not having to worry that I won't get to hear the "better" setlist, or miss out on certain songs.

Yeah this is true, it's great to have rotating setlists for people who see DT multiple times on the same tour, but for others it sucks knowing that they played some songs that they didn't see live.

Oh, and since the interview is very drum-sound focused, i have to say that during the clinic Mike sounded incredible, everything was so clear, powerful and bright. He played The Enemy Inside and the first part of Illumination Theory, along with some improvisations.
Here are some pictures:

[Ravenfoul]

Great interview man.

[SuperTaco]

That was a very informative and interesting interview. You can tell just from reading it that he's a true team player. He's always thinking about the grand scheme of things and how his abilities play into what eventually becomes a finished product. That, to me, is a terrific quality for anyone to have.

[devieira73]

Really cool interview, congratulations!
It was very nice to see that MM mentioned the drum sounds of Mullmuzzler 2 and EoP! The first is my favourite drums performance recorded by MM and the second is my favourite MM drums sound recording (on the last matter, it appears he thinks so too).
He seems to be totally a great guy, always thinking in the team etc but I wish sometimes he could be more "selfish" with his approval of the drum sound. It seems that he really understand what a good drum sound is (of course).