Marco Minnemann discussing his DT audition (video)

[badger]

Didn't see if this is posted before:  Marco Minnemann discussing his DT audition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYgkptWipng

[Kotowboy]

Does the angle change to landscape at all ?

If not - why would you upload that and not immediately take it down again and fix it ?

[bosk1]

Pretty cool.  (the audio, anyway; I couldn't watch it)

Given Marco's ability, I definitely wouldn't have minded him in the band at all.  But as he clarified even more in this video, his schedule would really be a HUGE issue.  It just would not have been a good fit.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Nice, I really don't mind his "I didn't want to be shown" thing, he sounds like a very sincere man.

Also, he's my favorite drummer ever. He's style is something I always admire a lot.

[Kotowboy]

The fact he didn't want to be in the band bolsters the rumour that he got asked first but turned it down.

[johncal]

The fact he didn't want to be in the band bolsters the rumour that he got asked first but turned it down.

Or he was in for final consideration and was asked in a "second interview". It would be real hard to believe there weren't further discussions with some of the guys before choosing Mangini. You don't make that kind of decision by listening to somebody play for an hour. 

[bosk1]

The fact he didn't want to be in the band bolsters the rumour that he got asked first but turned it down.

Or he was in for final consideration and was asked in a "second interview". It would be real hard to believe there weren't further discussions with some of the guys before choosing Mangini. You don't make that kind of decision by listening to somebody play for an hour. 

From everything I've heard, I have always had the impression that it wasn't an "offer" at that point in time, but that it was more just during the feeling out/interview process where they were discussing "If we bring you on, here's kind of the commitment level we are expecting, etc."  I don't think it was, "Hey, we'd like to offer you the job, and here's what it takes," and then Marco saying, "Oh, yeah, I can't really do it then."  I mean, it could have gone like that, but that's not the impression I've gotten.

What I never have been able to figure out is when during the process that that conversation happened.  Even though it hasn't been explicit, from the way I have heard Marco describe it twice now, it almost sounds to me like that had that conversation even before he actually auditioned, but they basically said to him something along the lines of, "well, why don't you come audition anyway and we'll see how it goes."

[gmillerdrake]

From everything I've heard, I have always had the impression that it wasn't an "offer" at that point in time, but that it was more just during the feeling out/interview process where they were discussing "If we bring you on, here's kind of the commitment level we are expecting, etc."  I don't think it was, "Hey, we'd like to offer you the job, and here's what it takes," and then Marco saying, "Oh, yeah, I can't really do it then."  I mean, it could have gone like that, but that's not the impression I've gotten.

What I never have been able to figure out is when during the process that that conversation happened.  Even though it hasn't been explicit, from the way I have heard Marco describe it twice now, it almost sounds to me like that had that conversation even before he actually auditioned, but they basically said to him something along the lines of, "well, why don't you come audition anyway and we'll see how it goes."

The bold is what I always believed as well. If anything, I always had the impression that it was Mangini's job to lose considering how similar his life was/is to the members of DT...ie Age, family....even faith? Who knows....I highly doubt they'll ever reveal how it all went down and personally I think they picked the right man for the job.
 

[rumborak]

Wasn't the sit-down session after the audition exactly that time where they talked about this? I mean, they invited quite  few drummers, some of them obscure. I think DT simply contacted them, gave them a free stay in NYC, and then the guys showed up. They played with them, and after that sat down and told them the constraints. Pretty sure Marco was referring to that moment where he said he wouldn't commit.

Really interesting I thought is that he didn't know any DT song. That's surprising for a drummer in that genre.

[DreamerTV]

Really interesting I thought is that he didn't know any DT song. That's surprising for a drummer in that genre.

In all honesty, even though I feel a certain sympathy for him, I think this is part of that attitude of superiority that has often showed against DT(especially on Facebook). I can not know whether it's all true what he said, but the fact of underline it several times, with also a certain amount of arrogance, in a few sentences, it's just a signal of that attitude.
Still an incredible drummer and a really funny guy to me, but i've never liked his way to manage that situation with DT.

[Nekov]

it almost sounds to me like that had that conversation even before he actually auditioned, but they basically said to him something along the lines of, "well, why don't you come audition anyway and we'll see how it goes."

I get the same feeling. Maybe the DT guys thought that if he had fun while doing the audition he might change his mind and actually commit to it.

[j]

Looking forward to seeing what Minnemann and Petrucci, et al come up with musically.

-J

[Mebert78]

Listening to Marco's side of the events, it almost gives me the impression that the documentary portrays things a little inaccurately.  I haven't watched it a while, but didn't the documentary producers led the viewer to believe that it was a somewhat tight decision in the end between Marco and Mangini?  However, Marco make it seems like from the start there was no serious consideration to him joining the band.  He said he was just there at the auditions with the intention of "having fun with the guys."  He never really took it like a serious audition to join the band.  He had never even heard any of their songs, he said.

[rumborak]

Oh, absolutely. That whole "omg, we can't decide" was for dramatic effect to increase interest in the upcoming album. Everything points towards Mike Mangini having been the only really viable option. He had the skill, the availability and the desire.

[wasteland]

The awkward moment when I can understand Marco better than the guy translating his words into my language. 

[DreamerTV]

The awkward moment when I can understand Marco better than the guy translating his words into my language. 

Totally.

[KevShmev]

He's got a better gig now anyway (see: Steven Wilson).

[Kotowboy]

Why do people still film with their phones in portrait mode ?

you dont watch LCD TV's that way....

[Sycsa]

FU DT :-)

[nikatapi]

Very interesting video, it's cool that they finally got Mangini since he was 110% into getting the job.
Hopefully a cool side project will be created in the future with JP and JR, as he said they already thought about it, and it has the potential to sound great.

[MoraWintersoul]

He's got a better gig now anyway (see: Steven Wilson).

[?]

His drumming is awesome on TRTRTS and Mangini is a better fit for DT anyway, so things went the right way.

[Sycsa]

He also discussed his DT experience in detail here, starting at the 9 minute mark:
https://magazine2.idrummag.com/idrum-magazine-issue-9-benny-greb/issue9/page/38

[Kotowboy]

So whats your favourite DT album ? 

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Speaking of Marco!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzaEQJ1l90s

[Kotowboy]

^ Fuckin hell - when Marco joins in at the start it sounds awesome.

[DebraKadabra]

He's got a better gig now anyway (see: Steven Wilson).

[rumborak]

Speaking of Marco!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzaEQJ1l90s

As awesome as his contribution are to SW's album, this stuff does nothing for me. Bummer.

[Jay.Ess]

Marco's a fantastic musician and i'm sure he's a great guy but he can sometimes come across as slightly passive aggressive in some of his comments. I don't think it's intentional however

[phentalmyst]

at 16:15 here marco says HE contacted DT about the drummer spot after hearing MP left...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiDZKY96H9Y

now in that drummag interview he's saying JR contacted him.

um, wut?

[Perpetual Change]

The OTE production was really great for building suspense about the new drummer and album. I was definitely glued to all three episodes and would have liked to see more behind the scenes stuff. Anyway, while it was cool, I don't take it seriously as anything other than a good bit of TV. It's definitely not a real documentary of facts. From what I can tell, it is reality TV at best.

[Sycsa]

Marco's a fantastic musician and i'm sure he's a great guy but he can sometimes come across as slightly passive aggressive in some of his comments. I don't think it's intentional however

Yep, this is how you define passive aggressive:

I btw have an email where they promised me to not use the video if I don't want to. Well, they lied:-). But thanks for your kind words.
For the entire filming I received $500, broken promises about the release and collaborations on my new CD. And someone calling me and complaining he heard I was telling people in advance who the new drummer is. And on top of it I never got even send a copy. So FU DT, I'm sorry:-)

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

at 16:15 here marco says HE contacted DT about the drummer spot after hearing MP left...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiDZKY96H9Y

now in that drummag interview he's saying JR contacted him.

um, wut?

I might be missing something but the only thing i hear is: that he got in touch with Jordan which could basically mean that JR contacted him.

[Madman Shepherd]

Marco's a fantastic musician and i'm sure he's a great guy but he can sometimes come across as slightly passive aggressive in some of his comments. I don't think it's intentional however

I agree and this is why I take a lot of what he says with a grain of salt. 

[rumborak]

at 16:15 here marco says HE contacted DT about the drummer spot after hearing MP left...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiDZKY96H9Y

now in that drummag interview he's saying JR contacted him.

um, wut?

I might be missing something but the only thing i hear is: that he got in touch with Jordan which could basically mean that JR contacted him.

This, yeah. Getting in touch does not necessarily mean that he initiated the contact. Keep also in mind that the guy's native language isn't English, so reading into a subtlety like that is dangerous.