The Mike Portnoy Appreciation/Discussion Thread (merged)

[lonestar]

I was testing negative within 10 days, hopefully he has a similar experience, really hopeful he's clear by the 19th.

[Kram]

I wonder what studio albums Mike will be part of this year. Aside from a potential Winery Dogs, which will likely come out in 2023 inly, I haven't heard of anything else.

He said in that video that he has a few things in the works that he can't talk about yet.  I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

Don't think so, Simen Sandnes tracked drums for it, as far as I know.

OK good info, didn't know.

[HOF]

Poor Mike, he seems like he’s been really cautious this whole time. He just posted about getting his hair done for the first time since the pandemic, now he’s positive. He should be clear in less than two weeks I’d think though.

[Kram]

Poor Mike, he seems like he’s been really cautious this whole time. He just posted about getting his hair done for the first time since the pandemic, now he’s positive. He should be clear in less than two weeks I’d think though.

Yes, he has been pretty careful.  My wife tested positive a month ago or so, and tested negative about 9 days later - so hopefully he should be good by the 15th when the tours starts.

[nobloodyname]

He'll be fine.

It's everywhere here in the UK. Astonished neither my nor my (ex-)partner have contracted it yet while we're still here together. Just 'hoping' I get it before the vaccines really wear off.

[El Barto]

Well, fuck.

[Mladen]

It not just about making it before the tour - there is probably some pre-production and rehearsals that need to be attended. But given Mike's OCD, he'll figure something out. 

[gzarruk]

I think he (and the tour) will be just fine

[Kram]

It not just about making it before the tour - there is probably some pre-production and rehearsals that need to be attended. But given Mike's OCD, he'll figure something out. 

Remember, Mike is famous for having an incredible memory and not needing to practice the songs.  Neal Morse joked that he, and the rest of the band, would practice their parts for weeks before a tour - and Mike would come in and say he hasn't even listed to the material.  It's apparently all in his mind and he can nail it from memory.  Pretty incredible actually..

[The Letter M]

It not just about making it before the tour - there is probably some pre-production and rehearsals that need to be attended. But given Mike's OCD, he'll figure something out. 

Remember, Mike is famous for having an incredible memory and not needing to practice the songs.  Neal Morse joked that he, and the rest of the band, would practice their parts for weeks before a tour - and Mike would come in and say he hasn't even listed to the material.  It's apparently all in his mind and he can nail it from memory.  Pretty incredible actually..

I think he remembers general grooves and song structures, but his fills might be a little bit difference. I remember in the documentary for the Whirld Tour, just before the show they would record at Shepherd's Bush for the official live album, he had to listen to the album version of "The Whirlwind" to get some fills right for the recorded show because he wanted them to be just right. I'm not sure about DT music he played live, but considering he lived and breathed DT for over two decades, I think he didn't NEED to try and re-learn all of those specific fills.

For something like Transatlantic that only tours once every 6-8 years, he probably needs a refresher on some of the more particular parts. He may have "The Whirlwind" down by now, but I'm sure learning all of The Absolute Universe might be a bit of a slog, especially if they do the 98-minute Ultimate version.

-Marc.

[Kram]

It not just about making it before the tour - there is probably some pre-production and rehearsals that need to be attended. But given Mike's OCD, he'll figure something out. 

Remember, Mike is famous for having an incredible memory and not needing to practice the songs.  Neal Morse joked that he, and the rest of the band, would practice their parts for weeks before a tour - and Mike would come in and say he hasn't even listed to the material.  It's apparently all in his mind and he can nail it from memory.  Pretty incredible actually..

I think he remembers general grooves and song structures, but his fills might be a little bit difference. I remember in the documentary for the Whirld Tour, just before the show they would record at Shepherd's Bush for the official live album, he had to listen to the album version of "The Whirlwind" to get some fills right for the recorded show because he wanted them to be just right. I'm not sure about DT music he played live, but considering he lived and breathed DT for over two decades, I think he didn't NEED to try and re-learn all of those specific fills.

For something like Transatlantic that only tours once every 6-8 years, he probably needs a refresher on some of the more particular parts. He may have "The Whirlwind" down by now, but I'm sure learning all of The Absolute Universe might be a bit of a slog, especially if they do the 98-minute Ultimate version.

-Marc.

Probably.  But if anybody can pull it off with little to no practice, it's him.

[gzarruk]

I remember Jordan's Patreon chat with Neal Morse (I watched the first 15 minutes, which are available on his FB and YT pages) where they talked about Mike's incredible memory and their nightmares of him pulling obscure songs out of nowhere for them to play suddenly on tour. Jordan mentioned them playing entire classic albums and Neal mentioned telling Mike "you know we don't just play the rhythms, you know? there's a bunch of notes we need to learn as well"

[gmillerdrake]

I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

I love MP's drumming and I'm sure it'd be neat but I really hope not. I hope....IF.....Eric and Diego are working together which it seems like they are.....that it's their 'own' drummer and it's an all new band. Would love for it to be killer music and then a 'new' band to get into and see tour etc etc.

[Fritzinger]

I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

I love MP's drumming and I'm sure it'd be neat but I really hope not. I hope....IF.....Eric and Diego are working together which it seems like they are.....that it's their 'own' drummer and it's an all new band. Would love for it to be killer music and then a 'new' band to get into and see tour etc etc.

Diego once said he'd love to work with Eric and Baard Kolstad. I would love to see this combination.

I wonder what monster is playing bass. One of my favorites would be Amos Williams 

I also hope that this project is not an instrumental band.

[MinistroRaven]

Is not an instrumental album.

Eric shared this on his FB 5 days ago:

Working on arranging background vocals for the new band that I can’t wait to tell you all about!! 😁

[gzarruk]

I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

I love MP's drumming and I'm sure it'd be neat but I really hope not. I hope....IF.....Eric and Diego are working together which it seems like they are.....that it's their 'own' drummer and it's an all new band. Would love for it to be killer music and then a 'new' band to get into and see tour etc etc.

Diego once said he'd love to work with Eric and Baard Kolstad. I would love to see this combination.

I wonder what studio albums Mike will be part of this year. Aside from a potential Winery Dogs, which will likely come out in 2023 inly, I haven't heard of anything else.

He said in that video that he has a few things in the works that he can't talk about yet.  I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

Don't think so, Simen Sandnes tracked drums for it, as far as I know.

Since apparently nobody read or cared about that post, I have some links to share here

Here's Eric tracking guitars for that secret project: https://www.facebook.com/EricGilletteMusic/videos/4880315675347487/
And here's Simen at home with a caption "last day of preparations" just before heading to the studio to record a secret project, coincidentally at the same time Diego was visiting Norway: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0CpdFgieo/

Sounds familiar?

Here's another clip from Simen at the actual recording: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaIOZAcgXp9/
Different track but definitely the same vibe/style as the other one, and those sounds just scream Diego to me.

[gmillerdrake]

I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

I love MP's drumming and I'm sure it'd be neat but I really hope not. I hope....IF.....Eric and Diego are working together which it seems like they are.....that it's their 'own' drummer and it's an all new band. Would love for it to be killer music and then a 'new' band to get into and see tour etc etc.

Diego once said he'd love to work with Eric and Baard Kolstad. I would love to see this combination.

I wonder what studio albums Mike will be part of this year. Aside from a potential Winery Dogs, which will likely come out in 2023 inly, I haven't heard of anything else.

He said in that video that he has a few things in the works that he can't talk about yet.  I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

Don't think so, Simen Sandnes tracked drums for it, as far as I know.

Since apparently nobody read or cared about that post, I have some links to share here

Here's Eric tracking guitars for that secret project: https://www.facebook.com/EricGilletteMusic/videos/4880315675347487/
And here's Simen at home with a caption "last day of preparations" just before heading to the studio to record a secret project, coincidentally at the same time Diego was visiting Norway: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0CpdFgieo/

Sounds familiar?

Here's another clip from Simen at the actual recording: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaIOZAcgXp9/
Different track but definitely the same vibe/style as the other one, and those sounds just scream Diego to me.

I think it's a fairly safe bet to presume Simen is the drummer of Eric and Diego's band     Can't wait for more info to be shared.

[The Letter M]

https://www.facebook.com/100044540401846/posts/525311352296874/

OMG this is absolutely hilarious!! I can’t believe somebody took the time to put this together  (and I’d bet there’s even more too!) I guess you can never have too much of a good thing  *ding*

Someone compiled, I believe, every time Mike has used a cymbal bell hit in the middle of a song - you know, when the groove stops and there's little to no music by the band, he hits the cymbal bell and then they launch into a new part or continue the previous groove/section.

I knew he did it a lot but not THAT much! 

Twitter link for those without Facebook-
https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1511501288218972162?t=xNvt_Gq5XmteZufmIGyAxg&s=19

-Marc.

[HOF]

https://www.facebook.com/100044540401846/posts/525311352296874/

OMG this is absolutely hilarious!! I can’t believe somebody took the time to put this together  (and I’d bet there’s even more too!) I guess you can never have too much of a good thing  *ding*

Someone compiled, I believe, every time Mike has used a cymbal bell hit in the middle of a song - you know, when the groove stops and there's little to no music by the band, he hits the cymbal bell and then they launch into a new part or continue the previous groove/section.

I knew he did it a lot but not THAT much! 

Twitter link for those without Facebook-
https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1511501288218972162?t=xNvt_Gq5XmteZufmIGyAxg&s=19

-Marc.

That is tremendous. I knew exactly what you meant before I clicked the link.

[KevShmev]

When do we get the SNL skit of this (similar to the cowbell for BOC)?

[Ben_Jamin]

https://www.facebook.com/100044540401846/posts/525311352296874/

OMG this is absolutely hilarious!! I can’t believe somebody took the time to put this together  (and I’d bet there’s even more too!) I guess you can never have too much of a good thing  *ding*

Someone compiled, I believe, every time Mike has used a cymbal bell hit in the middle of a song - you know, when the groove stops and there's little to no music by the band, he hits the cymbal bell and then they launch into a new part or continue the previous groove/section.

I knew he did it a lot but not THAT much! 

Twitter link for those without Facebook-
https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1511501288218972162?t=xNvt_Gq5XmteZufmIGyAxg&s=19

-Marc.

The best is that he goes on to suggest more of them that he forgot.

[nick_z]

I was about to come here to post it. Very funny indeed 

(including the "other Mike" nugget at the very end)

[gzarruk]

https://www.facebook.com/100044540401846/posts/525311352296874/

OMG this is absolutely hilarious!! I can’t believe somebody took the time to put this together  (and I’d bet there’s even more too!) I guess you can never have too much of a good thing  *ding*

Someone compiled, I believe, every time Mike has used a cymbal bell hit in the middle of a song - you know, when the groove stops and there's little to no music by the band, he hits the cymbal bell and then they launch into a new part or continue the previous groove/section.

I knew he did it a lot but not THAT much! 

Twitter link for those without Facebook-
https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1511501288218972162?t=xNvt_Gq5XmteZufmIGyAxg&s=19

-Marc.

The best is that he goes on to suggest more of them that he forgot.

This

[nobloodyname]

Here's the one MP mentioned as "missing": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sta1NXW2uA

I'd never seen it before

[Mladen]

That was such a funny video. It's so cool that Portnoy still addresses fan videos. 

[Stadler]

I like the title:  "The Portnoy Manuever".   

(And by the way, that was something Neil Peart liked to do as well!)

[RodrigoAltaf]

I like the title:  "The Portnoy Manuever".   

(And by the way, that was something Neil Peart liked to do as well!)

Neil did it ONCE in Hemispheres, and that became a trademark of his.

[Stadler]

I like the title:  "The Portnoy Manuever".   

(And by the way, that was something Neil Peart liked to do as well!)

Neil did it ONCE in Hemispheres, and that became a trademark of his.

I was thinking.... I think it's YYZ.

[Kram]

Very funny! And to throw the Mangini one in there at the end was a nice touch haha.  But I kept thinking while listening, so many great songs MP's played on!

[El Barto]

The update I've been waiting for.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes this past week 🙏 Day 6 and I finally feel like myself again! (and have my Mickey by my side! 🐶) Looks like we should be all systems go for the Transatlantic tour kicking off next week!

[axeman90210]

Whew. I'm still impatiently waiting for the Keswick to start selling single tickets in the pit, right now they're still only selling them in pairs.

[El Barto]

Whew. I'm still impatiently waiting for the Keswick to start selling single tickets in the pit, right now they're still only selling them in pairs.

Wow, I didn't even realize those were still for sale. I'd assumed they were all sold out.

[King Postwhore]

Whew. I'm still impatiently waiting for the Keswick to start selling single tickets in the pit, right now they're still only selling them in pairs.

Find a chick you can mold young padawan.

[axeman90210]

Whew. I'm still impatiently waiting for the Keswick to start selling single tickets in the pit, right now they're still only selling them in pairs.

Wow, I didn't even realize those were still for sale. I'd assumed they were all sold out.

There are still 6 or 8 seats right up front, but only sold in pairs for right now. I called the box office to see if I could buy a single and they said sometimes they'll split them up into singles if seats are unsold close to the show.

[Stadler]

Whew. I'm still impatiently waiting for the Keswick to start selling single tickets in the pit, right now they're still only selling them in pairs.

Find a chick you can mold young padawan.

Or buy the pair and put the other single up on Stubhub in case there is someone else in your situation. If I wasn't so goddamn lazy I'd do that myself.