An Exclusive Look into The Band’s Search for a New Drummer

[Weymolith]

For Immediate Release
April 18, 2011

An Exclusive Look into The Band's Search for a New Drummer

New York, NY: A little more than a month after original drummer Mike Portnoy's sudden departure from Dream Theater, the band held three days of auditions in New York City. Over an amazing and productive three-day period, the band played, jammed and spoke candidly with seven of the world's greatest drummers, learning about them musically, personally and professionally, and assessing the fit of each drummer's incredible chops with the band's trademark prog-rock sound. 

Dream Theater have been extremely sensitive to the fact that this is not only a monumental decision in their own lives, but also a critical moment in the lives of DT fans around the world. "The departure of our lifelong bandmate and friend was an unexpected and truly heartbreaking blow," says guitarist John Petrucci. "The fact that as a result of that event we'd be introduced to seven infinitely capable and uniquely talented drummers was heartening."

Dream Theater would like to share with its fans some of the intense process, along with the musical joy, that went into choosing a new drummer.  Who is the best fit behind the kit? 

Go to Dream Theater's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Theater/7677942180) on Thursday, 4/21 at 11 AM to sign up for the mailing list and to receive more details about an exclusive and intimate look at the auditions, and to find out exactly when and how the momentous announcement about the band's new lineup will be made.  Also on Facebook, fans will be able to find out information about the band's upcoming 2011 World Tour.

[jonny108]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 

[Perpetual Change]

So, wait. We're just finding out when and how on Friday, not who?

[Raziel666]

Are we gonna crash the server???

Finally!!!

[Dr. DTVT]

At least we'll know when and can stop the pointless and annoying speculation.

[chrisbDTM]

can facebook crash? let's see!

[Global Laziness]

can facebook crash? let's see!

It absolutely can but it wouldn't happen from a group of Dream Theater fans.

[chrisbDTM]

can facebook crash? let's see!

It absolutely can but it wouldn't happen from a group of Dream Theater fans.

joke

but i guess this means the other 6 drummers are ok with letting everyone know they didnt make it. this is interesting. things are happening!

[Raziel666]

can facebook crash? let's see!

I was talking about the server where DTF is!

[Perpetual Change]

Here's to hoping they don't play out announcing the drummer through like a mini-reality tv show or something.

[jonny108]

Also, 11AM in which time zone?

[FretMuppet]

FUUUUUUUCKKK YESSSSSSSSSs The time has come!

[Raziel666]

Also, 11AM in which time zone?

+1 about the time zone!

Also, for the other 6 drummers having their footage used: I guess they signed prior to the audition a contract that would allow DT to use the audition in whichever way they wanted.

[theusualmadness]

Also, 11AM in which time zone?

EST. John Petrucci said it on Facebook.

[Aniland]

And there it is. Wow. It's finally coming.

And it looks like they're revealing it in a very cool way. Props guys.

[Mladen]

Getting closer. 

[Volk9]

Cool. I was actually more interested in the auditions and the process rather than who they picked.

[Writer]

4/21 is day after Portnoy's birthday.

Nice  

[Aniland]

The reason we were referring to, about how you will understand why we couldn't tell you, is because we didn't want Mike to have a sour birthday.

[antigoon]

An announcement of an announcement of when the announcement is going to be. That really just seems fitting at this point

[Aniland]

Although the fact that there's an exact date TO the announcement of the annoucement... nice.

[Raziel666]

The reason we were referring to, about how you will understand why we couldn't tell you, is because we didn't want Mike to have a sour birthday.

Awesome!

[DreamerTV]

In 5 minutes they gained more than 150 like on FB.

[yeshaberto]

this is cool beyond cool

[pogoowner]

I wish I could say I expected to find out the identity of the new drummer on that date.

But at least it's something.

[Aniland]

In 5 minutes they gained more than 150 like on FB.

The sad thing is, Ray William Johnson literally makes about 2000 likes in ten seconds. I've seen it happen.

[jdprsaga]

So what is the mailing list we need to subscribe to? I'm too nervous that i'm going to miss something :S !!!!

[nikatapi]

I hate that i need to have a facebook account to be a part of this.

[Aniland]

So what is the mailing list we need to subscribe to? I'm too nervous that i'm going to miss something :S !!!!

Read the article, brah.

[jdprsaga]

So what is the mailing list we need to subscribe to? I'm too nervous that i'm going to miss something :S !!!!

Read the article, brah.

Yeah, it says, subscribe to the mailling list in DT's facebook, there is no mailling list on DT's facebook or at least it doesn't show one to me.. so that's why i'm asking

[robwebster]

Thank fuck!

Am I the only one who thinks this looks like it's going to be a sort of behind the scenes series of videos? I was pretty sure I heard the band saying they were filming the audition tapes for future use. I'd seen people challenged on it, and thought "no, I'm pretty sure they're right," but I couldn't quite remember. This looks like that use.

If they are doing it as a series of videos (and they might not be, I might be looking way too far into it - I'm full of coffee, not in a "rational reading comprehension" kinda mode) that's one hell of a good way to announce it. Shame it's taken so long, but this looks like it's going to be a pretty cool way to announce it.

So what is the mailing list we need to subscribe to? I'm too nervous that i'm going to miss something :S !!!!

Read the article, brah.

Yeah, it says, subscribe to the mailling list in DT's facebook, there is no mailling list on DT's facebook or at least it doesn't show one to me.. so that's why i'm asking

I think the idea is that you register for the mailing list on Thursday.

[TAC]

..but I'm not on Facebook. DTF is MY Facebook!

[Cool Chris]

I hate that i need to have a facebook account to be a part of this.

If that is true, that is indeed very annoying. Good thing I know my wife's facebook username/password.

[tri.ad]

Sounds great, really great.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

FUCK FUCK FUCK