DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF DRUMMER MIKE PORTNOY

[ReaperKK]

Judging by who Geddy and Alex have played with already, as much as I would love to see MP play with them, I highly doubt he would even be given much consideration. I'd expect someone like Danny Carey or Matt Cameron to get the gig if they were just gonna go with a single drummer. Would also love to see MM play with them, too. He would actually be a better fit than MP given his playing style (learning the parts and holding true to them) and his personality might be a better fit too. But I don't think they would go with him either.

I saw some rumors around Danny Carry doing it, it'd be interested. Tool is on tour now but at the pace they record music Danny could easily do a limited run of shows with the guys.

[Stadler]

And I'm pretty sure they'd all jump over each other to make sure that it's not RUSH without Neil, and yada yada yada.

*shrugs*

If Geddy and Alex are playing, and THEY say it's Rush, then it's Rush.

Of course.  I was talking about Geddy and Alex.  I can't imagine them not saying at some point "it's not really Rush without Neil", the same way Plant and Page continually say "it's not Led Zeppelin without a Bonham".

And let's not forget Rush we're a band with an album before Neil joined, so if they returned with a final album and/or tour without him, it would just basically book-end with their debut.

-Marc.

Be careful what you wish for; we saw how that went with Genesis. 

[Stadler]

Even if Geddy and Alex get another drummer, I doubt they are doing a major tour. Maybe a handful of special dates. Might not be impossible for MP to do that in addition to DT.

But I think Scotty is right. It's probably gonna be someone like Cameron, Carey, or Grohl.

Could Matt Cameron or Dave Grohl really fill the seat of Neil?  Carey not a problem, obviously.

I don't know that Grohl has the finesse, but Matt Cameron is an incredibly skilled drummer, far more than his work with Soundgarden or PJ gives him credit for. He also is an excellent singer (PJ's secret weapon live), so I could see him really adding something to a Rush tribute in a way that embraces Peart's legacy without merely copying his parts.

You guys are more invested in this discussion than I am, but if you're asking me, I don't want Dave Grohl within 150 yards of this project.   Just...  I respect him, but not a huge fan. I just think he dilutes everything he touches.  As for Cameron, he absolutely could do this gig.   I saw Temple Of The Dog live at Madison Square Garden, and their cover of Achilles Last Stand was the best Zeppelin cover I've ever seen personally live, and it was 100% due to Matt Cameron. He GOT it.  He knew how to move and flex the song in the perfect way and the band just followed him and it was mesmerizing. 

[TAC]

You guys are more invested in this discussion than I am, but if you're asking me, I don't want Dave Grohl within 150 yards of this project.   Just...  I respect him, but not a huge fan. I just think he dilutes everything he touches.  As for Cameron, he absolutely could do this gig.   I saw Temple Of The Dog live at Madison Square Garden, and their cover of Achilles Last Stand was the best Zeppelin cover I've ever seen personally live, and it was 100% due to Matt Cameron. He GOT it.  He knew how to move and flex the song in the perfect way and the band just followed him and it was mesmerizing.

Ooh, is there a clip of that. I'd check that out at least. I'm not familiar with Cameron's work at all since I can't stand Soundgarden. I did see them twice and I do remember basically just watching the drummer, but that was over 30 years ago.

I think there's a million drummers that could do this, but they're going to pick someone that they feel they can ENJOY playing with in a personal sense. The one thing Dave Grohl has going for him is the emittance of joy and enthusiasm that would surely satisfy Geddy and Alex, and certainly his experience of losing his own drummer may endear him even more, but this doesn't feel like a Grohl gig. Who knows.

[Lonk]

You guys are more invested in this discussion than I am, but if you're asking me, I don't want Dave Grohl within 150 yards of this project.   Just...  I respect him, but not a huge fan. I just think he dilutes everything he touches.  As for Cameron, he absolutely could do this gig.   I saw Temple Of The Dog live at Madison Square Garden, and their cover of Achilles Last Stand was the best Zeppelin cover I've ever seen personally live, and it was 100% due to Matt Cameron. He GOT it.  He knew how to move and flex the song in the perfect way and the band just followed him and it was mesmerizing.

Ooh, is there a clip of that. I'd check that out at least. I'm not familiar with Cameron's work at all since I can't stand Soundgarden. I did see them twice and I do remember basically just watching the drummer, but that was over 30 years ago.

I think there's a million drummers that could do this, but they're going to pick someone that they feel they can ENJOY playing with in a personal sense. The one thing Dave Grohl has going for him is the emittance of joy and enthusiasm that would surely satisfy Geddy and Alex, and certainly his experience of losing his own drummer may endear him even more, but this doesn't feel like a Grohl gig. Who knows.

Maybe this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajRr80XPgVc

Edit: Better angle for Matt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QykyT987Mk

[Stadler]

You guys are more invested in this discussion than I am, but if you're asking me, I don't want Dave Grohl within 150 yards of this project.   Just...  I respect him, but not a huge fan. I just think he dilutes everything he touches.  As for Cameron, he absolutely could do this gig.   I saw Temple Of The Dog live at Madison Square Garden, and their cover of Achilles Last Stand was the best Zeppelin cover I've ever seen personally live, and it was 100% due to Matt Cameron. He GOT it.  He knew how to move and flex the song in the perfect way and the band just followed him and it was mesmerizing.

Ooh, is there a clip of that. I'd check that out at least. I'm not familiar with Cameron's work at all since I can't stand Soundgarden. I did see them twice and I do remember basically just watching the drummer, but that was over 30 years ago.

I think there's a million drummers that could do this, but they're going to pick someone that they feel they can ENJOY playing with in a personal sense. The one thing Dave Grohl has going for him is the emittance of joy and enthusiasm that would surely satisfy Geddy and Alex, and certainly his experience of losing his own drummer may endear him even more, but this doesn't feel like a Grohl gig. Who knows.

My friend Jim and I would always wait for the new Soundgarden to find "the fill".  Jim had a theory that every Soundgarden record, no matter how good or bad, had at least one MONSTER fill from Cameron buried somewhere on it. 

[TAC]

That's be like sifting through a plateful of onions to find the one chocolate chip..

[Stadler]

That's be like sifting through a plateful of onions to find the one chocolate chip..

But I love onions!!!! 

[Ben_Jamin]

I wonder about if the drummer is capable of Triggering certain sounds and parts live is in consideration. Remember that Neil also triggered things live.

This is a reason why I think Danny Carey is a good fit as he does trigger things live in Tool.

[hefdaddy42]

Danny Carey could flat out do it, as could Cameron.

I actually think that, depending on the setlist, Grohl probably COULD do it.  I just don't think that he would WANT to.  At least, not for a full tour.

[HOF]

Danny Carey could flat out do it, as could Cameron.

I actually think that, depending on the setlist, Grohl probably COULD do it.  I just don't think that he would WANT to.  At least, not for a full tour.

Yeah, one thing Carey has going for him is he plays for the least hard working band in the business. Once their tour is done, his calendar is wide open for the next 15 years.

Grohl on the other hand seems to keep pretty busy.

[Stadler]

Danny Carey could flat out do it, as could Cameron.

I actually think that, depending on the setlist, Grohl probably COULD do it.  I just don't think that he would WANT to.  At least, not for a full tour.

Grohl has the mid-80s Phil Collins-esque tendency to make it all about him though.   Think of Live Aid and the Concorde and the Zep reunion, etc.  I think I'd want someone to STFU and play drums.  No documentaries, no fanfare, no "look how humble I am even as I broadcast how great and versatile I am by doing this".   I dunno; I know people love him but I just don't see it.

[TAC]

That's fair , Bill.

[cramx3]

If Rush said they were just going to do a small limited run tour, I think Grohl could and maybe would do it.  Anything longer, I'm not sure there's a point for Grohl to commit to Rush when he has Foo Fighters.  Just doesn't make any sense in my mind.

[hefdaddy42]

If Rush said they were just going to do a small limited run tour, I think Grohl could and maybe would do it.  Anything longer, I'm not sure there's a point for Grohl to commit to Rush when he has Foo Fighters.  Just doesn't make any sense in my mind.

Exactly.

And to your point, Bill, I absolutely think that for any such shows, he would suppress himself in order to celebrate Rush.

[emtee]

Grohl has described his left foot as, "retarded" as it relates to double bass. Not a great fit.

Carey has a very unique and discernable style and feel to his playing. IMO, it would really stick out as opposed to blending in.

They need someone who can mimic NP's parts and have it feel and sound like a fit...unless that's not what they're looking for.

[Stadler]

Here's one:  Tim Alexander from Primus.    They opened for Rush, have been unabashed fans of the band for decades, and have even toured covering a Rush album in its entirety (and not a "popular" one either; they toured "A Farewell To Kings").   He's ABSOLUTELY got the chops to play the gig, is a respectful enough fan to play them faithfully but still inspire the other two to push themselves, and is anonymous and humble enough to recognize that it's not his deal.

[Indiscipline]

Danny Carey could flat out do it, as could Cameron.

I actually think that, depending on the setlist, Grohl probably COULD do it.  I just don't think that he would WANT to.  At least, not for a full tour.

Grohl has the mid-80s Phil Collins-esque tendency to make it all about him though.   Think of Live Aid and the Concorde and the Zep reunion, etc.  I think I'd want someone to STFU and play drums.  No documentaries, no fanfare, no "look how humble I am even as I broadcast how great and versatile I am by doing this".   I dunno; I know people love him but I just don't see it.

So ... no Portnoy!

[gzarruk]

All this talk prompted me to revisit DT's cover of Xanadu from the Farewell to Kings 40th anniversary release. I'm not a fan of cover songs, really, but that's a very nice one. MM on drums.

https://youtu.be/LP0I9LfcTlM?si=Tlsy59mUvCmrHDvq

[hefdaddy42]

Here's one:  Tim Alexander from Primus.    They opened for Rush, have been unabashed fans of the band for decades, and have even toured covering a Rush album in its entirety (and not a "popular" one either; they toured "A Farewell To Kings").   He's ABSOLUTELY got the chops to play the gig, is a respectful enough fan to play them faithfully but still inspire the other two to push themselves, and is anonymous and humble enough to recognize that it's not his deal.

He could definitely do it.

[HOF]

Here's one:  Tim Alexander from Primus.    They opened for Rush, have been unabashed fans of the band for decades, and have even toured covering a Rush album in its entirety (and not a "popular" one either; they toured "A Farewell To Kings").   He's ABSOLUTELY got the chops to play the gig, is a respectful enough fan to play them faithfully but still inspire the other two to push themselves, and is anonymous and humble enough to recognize that it's not his deal.

He could definitely do it.

Yeah, thought of him as well, couldn't remember the name!

[Ben_Jamin]

Here's one:  Tim Alexander from Primus.    They opened for Rush, have been unabashed fans of the band for decades, and have even toured covering a Rush album in its entirety (and not a "popular" one either; they toured "A Farewell To Kings").   He's ABSOLUTELY got the chops to play the gig, is a respectful enough fan to play them faithfully but still inspire the other two to push themselves, and is anonymous and humble enough to recognize that it's not his deal.

He could definitely do it.

He could definitely do justice with these songs.

[Dedalus]

Danny Carey could flat out do it, as could Cameron.

I actually think that, depending on the setlist, Grohl probably COULD do it.  I just don't think that he would WANT to.  At least, not for a full tour.

Grohl has the mid-80s Phil Collins-esque tendency to make it all about him though.   Think of Live Aid and the Concorde and the Zep reunion, etc.  I think I'd want someone to STFU and play drums.  No documentaries, no fanfare, no "look how humble I am even as I broadcast how great and versatile I am by doing this".   I dunno; I know people love him but I just don't see it.

So ... no Portnoy!

Portnoy and Grohl are definitely similar in that regard. They are not drummers who just sit back and play drums like most drummers do.

[Samsara]

If Geddy and Alex are playing, and THEY say it's Rush, then it's Rush.

Agreed. They were Rush without Neil Peart in the beginning. They can be Rush without Neil Peart at the end, if they so choose.

Frankly, I think Ged and Al deserve to make the decision about when Rush gets retired. Neil retired on them (understandable) and then sadly he got sick, and to maintain his privacy, it's not like Ged and Al could have done Rush then. Now that Neil is no longer here (RIP, legend), and enough time has passed, I think it is well within their right to decide how Rush ends, or continues.

For the love of God though, no holograms. 

[wolfking]

Even if Geddy and Alex get another drummer, I doubt they are doing a major tour. Maybe a handful of special dates. Might not be impossible for MP to do that in addition to DT.

But I think Scotty is right. It's probably gonna be someone like Cameron, Carey, or Grohl.

Could Matt Cameron or Dave Grohl really fill the seat of Neil?  Carey not a problem, obviously.

I don't know that Grohl has the finesse, but Matt Cameron is an incredibly skilled drummer, far more than his work with Soundgarden or PJ gives him credit for. He also is an excellent singer (PJ's secret weapon live), so I could see him really adding something to a Rush tribute in a way that embraces Peart's legacy without merely copying his parts.

Yeah, when typing that I was wondering if I was selling Cameron short.

[hefdaddy42]

For the love of God though, no holograms. 

Boy, no kidding lol

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

maybe a mike portnoy hologram could tour with rush

[hefdaddy42]

maybe a mike portnoy hologram could tour with rush

For the love of God though, no holograms. 

[Stadler]

Geddy, Alex, a hologram of Dio and an avatar of Peter Criss on drums.   

[TAC]

You guys are more invested in this discussion than I am, but if you're asking me, I don't want Dave Grohl within 150 yards of this project.   Just...  I respect him, but not a huge fan. I just think he dilutes everything he touches.  As for Cameron, he absolutely could do this gig.   I saw Temple Of The Dog live at Madison Square Garden, and their cover of Achilles Last Stand was the best Zeppelin cover I've ever seen personally live, and it was 100% due to Matt Cameron. He GOT it.  He knew how to move and flex the song in the perfect way and the band just followed him and it was mesmerizing.

Ooh, is there a clip of that. I'd check that out at least. I'm not familiar with Cameron's work at all since I can't stand Soundgarden. I did see them twice and I do remember basically just watching the drummer, but that was over 30 years ago.

I think there's a million drummers that could do this, but they're going to pick someone that they feel they can ENJOY playing with in a personal sense. The one thing Dave Grohl has going for him is the emittance of joy and enthusiasm that would surely satisfy Geddy and Alex, and certainly his experience of losing his own drummer may endear him even more, but this doesn't feel like a Grohl gig. Who knows.

Maybe this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajRr80XPgVc

Edit: Better angle for Matt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QykyT987Mk

The video in the second link is brutal. But thank you.

Yeah, I guess you had to be there.

[PetFish]

What if this was all "part of the plan"?

We know MP is a huge fan of music history and lore.  MP is the archivist-setlist-bootleg-fanservice guy in the extreme.

Many legendary bands have a break up/reunion (or 2 or 3...) so maybe this break up and reunification was all scripted*?  Here we are, loads and loads of discussion and speculation and excitement about what's happening next, so if MP/DT wanted something legen...dary this would be the thing to do.

I doubt it but I've been thinking about this for a few years.

* Alternate ending would be MM stays with DT until DT retires with the stipulation that they'd be making at least as much money and popularity as with MP but if not then they go with the MP ending where he comes back and they are back on top.

[wolfking]

What would be the purpose to 'script' this over a 13 year period?  What would be their desired result of doing this for so long?

[WilliamMunny]

What would be the purpose to 'script' this over a 13 year period?  What would be their desired result of doing this for so long?

Yeah, I'm with wolfking here–a 13-year plan makes for a fun story, but in reality, it really stretches the boundaries of plausibility.

[hefdaddy42]

What if this was all "part of the plan"?

Nah

[Stadler]

You guys are more invested in this discussion than I am, but if you're asking me, I don't want Dave Grohl within 150 yards of this project.   Just...  I respect him, but not a huge fan. I just think he dilutes everything he touches.  As for Cameron, he absolutely could do this gig.   I saw Temple Of The Dog live at Madison Square Garden, and their cover of Achilles Last Stand was the best Zeppelin cover I've ever seen personally live, and it was 100% due to Matt Cameron. He GOT it.  He knew how to move and flex the song in the perfect way and the band just followed him and it was mesmerizing.

Ooh, is there a clip of that. I'd check that out at least. I'm not familiar with Cameron's work at all since I can't stand Soundgarden. I did see them twice and I do remember basically just watching the drummer, but that was over 30 years ago.

I think there's a million drummers that could do this, but they're going to pick someone that they feel they can ENJOY playing with in a personal sense. The one thing Dave Grohl has going for him is the emittance of joy and enthusiasm that would surely satisfy Geddy and Alex, and certainly his experience of losing his own drummer may endear him even more, but this doesn't feel like a Grohl gig. Who knows.

Maybe this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajRr80XPgVc

Edit: Better angle for Matt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QykyT987Mk

The video in the second link is brutal. But thank you.

Yeah, I guess you had to be there.

You can actually see me, vaguely, in the second video.  I'm to the very right, upper corner (I was standing about in the 10th row or so at the end of the row).   Maybe it was a "you had to be there" but I was and it was awesome.   The videos don't really do justice to the driving nature of the song.    Though Chris sounds better in the video than I remember live.   If you don't like Chris Cornell, Temple of the Dog is not for you.