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

[majo]

from what i saw (through years and auditions) marco is far more creative and musical than mangini. i prefer him by a mile since begining and the auditions just confirmed this to me.
still think mike get the job (maybe after marco's turn-down? - this, i think we'll never know).

[IdoSC]

Just watched Marco's part where they played The Spirit Carries On. Damn, James was kinda off there o-o

James actually sounded terrific.

Nah I mean, he sounded great. It's just his voice kinda cracked up...well he did sing these songs quite a lot of times during the auditions.

[tri.ad]

MaMi was definitely my favourite auditionee in this part. He absolutely dominated the jamming phase, and the chemistry between him and DT seemed absolutely great.

Thomas Lang was great as well, but the chemistry didn't seem to be working; and I wasn't too fond of Virgil Donati's and Derek Roddy's performance, to be honest.

Let's see what the third part brings along.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

Hey bosk, have the videos already eliminated the guy you know is out? Or can you not say?

[zxlkho]

oh god I LOVED Lang in this video. Holy shit he's awesome.

Scratch that, Minneman was better.

[King Postwhore]

Marco and Lang stood out. Not a bang fan of Virgil especially the way in which he holds the sticks.

You mean, the good way?

rumborak

I don't know much about the ways to hold drum sticks but they way Virgil does it just reminds me of chop sticks.

That's the classic way of holding drum sticks.  Even Neil Peart took lessons to broaden his drum skills.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

This second episode isn't as re-watchable as the first. Oh well!

Marco and Mike have been the best by far, mostly because of their personality. But the more I think about it, the more I realize Mike has quite a big edge. There's just something about him. I think I have a man crush.

I agree with every word of that post.  BUT, keep in mind, are opinions are somewhat manipulated by what footage is shown.  I'm sure there were some magical moments from all these guys.

Absolutely. If the guys wanted to, they could have edited everything in a way that makes, say, Lang look better than Mangini. Not saying they would, but editing is a huge factor.

[Aniland]

Can anyone else see the end of the series with someone saying, "Welcome to Dream Theater, MM!"

I'll be angry.

[bosk1]

But wait...what?

Can anyone else see the end of the series with someone saying, "Welcome to Dream Theater, MM!"

I'll be Angra.

 

[Aniland]

LOL

[reneranucci]

CEILING JORDAN IS WATCHING YOU PLAY THE DRUMS @ 12:06-12:07

[energythief]

Yeah, I remember now, I remember how it started, I just remember doing what they told me, told me...

 

[cyberdrummer]

8:33-8:51.  

WANT.

[IdoSC]

Anyways, I wasn't particularly impressed by anyone in the 2nd episode compared to Mike. My favorites are still Mike and Peter, I guess Marco is now my third favorite though.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I just re-watched the vid to get second impressions, and man, Roddy was easily the weak link. TSCO is NOT supposed to sound trashy like that.

[Adami]

Whether or not they messed up a little during playing 2 reallllly har dsongs for the first time with a band, or whether or not they messed up jamming to a weird timed riff they'd never heard before, all of these drummers came across as really cool people and my respect for them has increased 10 fold.

[bosk1]

CEILING JORDAN IS WATCHING YOU PLAY THE DRUMS @ 12:06-12:07

 I didn't notice that first time around.  That's awesome!  

[Dimitrius]

JOHN MYUNG SPOKE!!!

[tri.ad]

Yeah, so?

He was a bit hard to understand at times, though.

[bosk1]

Whether or not they messed up a little during playing 2 reallllly har dsongs for the first time with a band, or whether or not they messed up jamming to a weird timed riff they'd never heard before, all of these drummers came across as really cool people and my respect for them has increased 10 fold.

Same.

[atmyne]

CEILING JORDAN IS WATCHING YOU PLAY THE DRUMS @ 12:06-12:07

LMFAO!

[reneranucci]

Whether or not they messed up a little during playing 2 reallllly har dsongs for the first time with a band, or whether or not they messed up jamming to a weird timed riff they'd never heard before, all of these drummers came across as really cool people and my respect for them has increased 10 fold.

Agreed. I've also gained more respect for MP seeing world class-drummers doing what he did everyday, and finding it a little hard. I mean, matching with the DT's other 3 great musicians is not piece of cake.

[Perpetual Change]

But wait...what?

Can anyone else see the end of the series with someone saying, "Welcome to Dream Theater, MM!"

I'll be Angra.

 

You sir have been rewarded one lolavarium for that.
 

[Jirpo]

8:33-8:51.  

WANT.

This! I thought Lang dominated this part, and I would love if this was in the album.

But Lang didn't seem to gel with guys on a personality level so much. I loved Roddys personality, same with Donati's. Marco was cool too.

[drummerThatShreds87]

I can't imagine how Priester would be the drummer. He barely speaks English and I just can't picture him gelling with the band personality-wise. Wildoer just doesn't look the type to me...they are 4 family men with wives and kids and Wildoer just looks like a metal head. Just an appearance judgment, not doubting the truth or the fact that he's amazing on the drums (which I do think).

Mangini still seems to be the best...he's the most well-rounded for what they are looking for. The other drummers either had insane chops but no personality or just the opposite, but Mangini had all aspects on a good level.

[kartmaze2]

8:33-8:51.  

WANT.

That part is so freakin' awesome! Classic DT!

[zxlkho]

CEILING JORDAN IS WATCHING YOU PLAY THE DRUMS @ 12:06-12:07

[Adami]

Whether or not they messed up a little during playing 2 reallllly har dsongs for the first time with a band, or whether or not they messed up jamming to a weird timed riff they'd never heard before, all of these drummers came across as really cool people and my respect for them has increased 10 fold.

Agreed. I've also gained more respect for MP seeing world class-drummers doing what he did everyday, and finding it a little hard. I mean, matching with the DT's other 3 great musicians is not piece of cake.

Portnoy also practice WITH the band a lot. Portnoy and DT for that matter admitted they couldn't play through TDOE for a while perfectly. The other guys are being held to a much higher standard than portnoy, and rightfully so.

[7StringedBeast]

I really love these new jam riffs they are throwing around.  If they are any indicator of the mood the band is in right now musically, we are going to get an AMAZING album.

[Dream Team]

This second episode isn't as re-watchable as the first. Oh well!

Marco and Mike have been the best by far, mostly because of their personality. But the more I think about it, the more I realize Mike has quite a big edge. There's just something about him. I think I have a man crush.

I agree with every word of that post.  BUT, keep in mind, are opinions are somewhat manipulated by what footage is shown.  I'm sure there were some magical moments from all these guys.

So, both JM and JP say at the end that it's down to 2 so far:  Mangini and Minneman.  And the other 3 did have some struggles.  

I will say that, while I don't know much about Roddy's drumming, there are two things that stood out to me about his clips:  (1) I love his easygoing personality.  Seems like the ideal guy to have in a band from a personality standpoint.  (2) His blast beats are amazing.  Not to take anything away from MP, but even on the album, his blast beats at the end of ANTR sound like they are just a fraction of a beat behind and it is like he is struggling to keep the pace.  Roddy's were just spot on and sounded effortless.  Perhaps more importantly, they sounded like a beat rather than a trick or a flourish.  

Anyhow, can't wait for ep. 3.

Yeah, for sure. He's been playing them since before 1997, and IMO is the best ever at it. In his fastest vids I think he does them at around 270 - 280 bpm. Don't know if that's a "record", but his sound the crispest and as you say, it sounds like a beat not a drum roll which is very important.

[tri.ad]

8:33-8:51.  

WANT.

Oh yes, definitely. Also, add that muted clean riff by JP.

[Aniland]

Peter is 36. That may be young compared to the rest of them, but... c'mon.

[zerogravityfat]

mangini is great, but minemann is greater. i'm on the bandwagon.  

[MajorMatt]

Episode 2 720p available for download now:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg861350#msg861350

Sorry about the delay, Firefox crashed while I left it unattended so had to restart

Matt

[IdoSC]

Peter is 36. That may be young compared to the rest of them, but... c'mon.

That's just like 7 years younger than the Johns, I'd actually love it if there was a younger band member in DT.