DT's New Drummer (merged thread)

[Yazman]

Mike Mangini has usually done drums for JLB and done a fantastic job so he could do it.

Also Peter Wildoer from the recent JLB solo album did a pretty good job too, so I reckon he could do it too.

[Unimatrix]

Why hire a new drummer? I'm sure the Wiz has got some nice drum-patches in his Oasys. Shouldn't be a problem for him to dedicate one of his hands to the drumming while playing keys with the other. 

[Dream Team]

Lots of speculation, but let's answer this question: What drummers out there have a) the chops, b) the metalness, and c) the live showmanship? I think that narrows it down considerably. Obviously showmanship isn't critical, but is was a big part of DT's live appeal. Someone else will have to step up to make the band exciting in a live setting.

[Gorille85]

I think that they don't really care about showmanship and metalness at this point. They'll only pick a talented drummer that they get along with fine.

[bosk1]

What about Collin Leijenaar? He does a pretty good job covering MP's parts from Neal Morse's studio albums, so he definitely has the chops to cover anything MP could do. It would be pretty funny if Collin joined DT and Mike joined Neal in a more permanent fashion!

-Marc.

Interesting.  I was thinking about that same thing last night, actually.  Whoever they choose needs to have serious chops and needs to be a good singer.  I'm concerned about both, basically.  Collin is a very good drummer and has a great understanding of odd meter to be able to pull of DT songs.  But his timing is not he best.  Watching/hearing Neal's live releases with Collin on drums, he is truly talented, but his meter is all over the place.  And I'm not sure he is a strong enough backup singer either.

Again, whoever they choose has to be a good singer and has to be a very solid drummer with serious chops.  In terms of stage presence, I actually think the drummer should be low key.  Mike was abnormally up front for a drummer.  I think if anyone else came in and tried to mimmick that, they would get blasted by the fans for trying too hard to be Mike. 

[EPICVIEW]

What about Collin Leijenaar? He does a pretty good job covering MP's parts from Neal Morse's studio albums, so he definitely has the chops to cover anything MP could do. It would be pretty funny if Collin joined DT and Mike joined Neal in a more permanent fashion!

-Marc.

Interesting.  I was thinking about that same thing last night, actually.  Whoever they choose needs to have serious chops and needs to be a good singer.  I'm concerned about both, basically.  Collin is a very good drummer and has a great understanding of odd meter to be able to pull of DT songs.  But his timing is not he best.  Watching/hearing Neal's live releases with Collin on drums, he is truly talented, but his meter is all over the place.  And I'm not sure he is a strong enough backup singer either.

Again, whoever they choose has to be a good singer and has to be a very solid drummer with serious chops.  In terms of stage presence, I actually think the drummer should be low key.  Mike was abnormally up front for a drummer.  I think if anyone else came in and tried to mimmick that, they would get blasted by the fans for trying too hard to be Mike. 

Great point Bosk1

[pogoowner]

I vote Mark Zonder (formerly of Fates Warning).

[bodiesinflight]

I think one of the two drummers JLB has worked with on his solo albums would be good.

If not I think Collin Leijnaar would be a great choice .

[bosk1]

I vote Mark Zonder (formerly of Fates Warning).

FW's drumming isn't nearly as complex as DT's.  Does he have the chops to pull off DT's stuff?  And can he sing?

[bodiesinflight]

I vote Mark Zonder (formerly of Fates Warning).

FW's drumming isn't nearly as complex as DT's.  Does he have the chops to pull off DT's stuff?  And can he sing?

Agree that he may not be good enough. Tbh I think the singing aspect is the least important, if they have to drop some songs from the setlist because they haven't got MP on backing vocals they should just do that. They should get who feels right and if that person can sing then great, if not then it shouldn't be a massive problem.

[bosk1]

I disagree.  No disrespect to James, as he is a very talented singer.  But his voice is also on the thin side.  He needs someone to harmonize with him to make the vocal parts sound full and dynamic in a live setting.  And DT's songs have a lot of harmonies.  JP is too pitchy to carry that duty all on his own, and since Jordan and JM don't sing, that's what he would have to do if they don't pick up a drummer who can help out with the backup vox.

[John94]

I think Jordan could do a decent job singing...just he sounds too husky and deep. Some of his singing in his Vokle sessions wasn't bad!

[bosk1]

I think he should, actually.  There's plenty of room in the vocal harmonies for a baritone part, which is what he would bring to the table. 

[bodiesinflight]

I appreciate what you're saying but I really don't think it should be the main priority. I'm not saying they shouldn't consider it, just that if they found a drummer with whom they were really comfortable but who couldn't sing then that shouldn't stop them getting said drummer as the full-time replacement for MP.

I'd happily put up with slightly thinner live vocals if it meant DT had a drummer with whom they felt really happy and comfortable.

[Ben_Jamin]

Whoever they choose needs to be able to play Mike's part well, maybe even adding their own fills. Needs to have a great personality off and on stage. Thats basically all.

[EPICVIEW]

lets face the reality that Mike was the best, so anybody else will be a step backwards. I just hope the band steps up to backfill that void of having not the best drummer in the band, who ever that drummer is

[orcus116]

But that's not the reality.

[setrataeso]

I dont know if Mike was "the best".
In the context of Dream Theater, yeah, he was a pretty damn good fit. And after such a long time playing with them, any new drummer is going to feel like a step back. The reality is that Dream Theater would not pick a drummer that they felt
a) could not handle the drumming
b) they would not get along with
c) could not handle the stress of filling Mike's shoes
Once they find a drummer that can fill those criteria, and hope that the fans approve, then they'll be on good footing.

[EPICVIEW]

how does one argue that Mike was "not the best'?

thats why I say he was the best..

its kinda like saying "Rush will be fine without Peart",,,, its impossible to say that.

[orcus116]

His playing was getting stale over the last few albums. I'm pretty sure he used the same 3-4 fills during that timeframe. Nothing ever really stood out as spectacular so there's gotta be a point where someone new needs to come in to shake stuff up and actually bring something new to the table. Sure you can be the most technically proficient player but if your style has become boring there really isn't anything worth listening to in your music anymore.

[TimmyHiggy]

I'd like a nobody, just to eliminate preconceptions

[EPICVIEW]

His playing was getting stale over the last few albums. I'm pretty sure he used the same 3-4 fills during that timeframe. Nothing ever really stood out as spectacular so there's gotta be a point where someone new needs to come in to shake stuff up and actually bring something new to the table. Sure you can be the most technically proficient player but if your style has become boring there really isn't anything worth listening to in your music anymore.

I guess you can say that, but for most his "being in the band" and his excellence was as important as the technicallity of his playing.

wasnt he just voted the best drummer? or very close?

[sonatafanica]

Probably the worst thing that could happen in their choice of a drummer, and I think it's the choice they'll make, would be getting some technical pocket drummer.

Don't get me wrong, their music demands a lot of technical proficiency, but most technical drummers lack dynamics, especially in feel and volume. They tend to just hit the hell out of the drums when they play without regard for adjusting the volume of their hits or playing softly.

Portnoy had good dynamics, even if he hadn't used them in more recent works as often. If DT doesn't consider how important dynamics are in their choice for a drummer, they'll be shooting themselves in the feet.

[bodiesinflight]

wasnt he just voted the best drummer? or very close?

Who cares? Votes are never accurate after all. He's nowhere near the best drummer.

[pogoowner]

I vote Mark Zonder (formerly of Fates Warning).

FW's drumming isn't nearly as complex as DT's.  Does he have the chops to pull off DT's stuff?  And can he sing?

I'm not knowledgeable enough about drumming to know, honestly. I've always liked Mark's style, though it is quite a bit different than Mike's. The singing I'm not as concerned about.

[The Letter M]

Anyone suggest that maybe they get a group of guest drummers for the next album? Maybe a guest drummer would track one or two songs each, out of say, 8-12 songs? It would be a good way to get an album out while trying out drummers, and then pick one who could step up to the plate of performing songs live.

Just an idea...

-Marc.

[skydivingninja]

No.  Pick a guy and stick with him.

[Sigz]

How has this thread gone 4 pages with no mention of Kevin Moore? STAY FOCUSED DTF

[chrisbDTM]

[zxlkho]

I like the other one better. The one with The Count of Tuscany.

[LKap13]

Tool hasn't had any output lately. I'd love to see Danny Carey as a member of Dream Theater

[LadyEars]

IMO the only drummer that could even come close to filling his shoes would be Virgil Donati.

[rumborak]

Oh man. I'm trying to think now when I created this image. That is a looooong time ago. And it used to have "dt.net" in there, not "DTF.org".

rumborak

[Octavawake]

I'm not ready to think about it.

This. It's way too early in the game =[

[Ultimetalhead]

If Mike Mangini joined Dream Theater, I think I'd be completely okay with the whole situation.