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

[rumborak]

Ain't gonna happen. What might happen is an inclusion of Mike's audition songs.

rumborak

[bosk1]

Just watched Derek's portion again, and I fully stand by what I said earlier.  He came across really well thoughout the entire other than 10 second or so at right about the 5:00 mark where he struggles with the riff test.  Otherwise, there really isn't anything to criticize about what was shown of his playing at all.  And, again, there are plenty of truly amazing moments in the song test and jam test sections.

[iamtheeviltwin]

Indeed. Roddy was portrayed as taking the audition lightly, not being as preparred as the others, and shown sections
where he appeared to have screwed up.

Which if you read his posts, he seems to have taken the audition relatively lightly to begin with.  His segments in the documentary seem (to me at least) mesh pretty well with his public statements of his motivations.  From piecing together his statements it seems like where he and the group decided he would not be a good fit came in the interview process...it sounded to me like both sides were quite frank about the time commitments involved and how much each was willing to give to each other.  When he said that he wasn't willing to change his lifestyle to be a part of DT, I am sure they took him at his word.

As for not portraying the "quality" of his drumming, both sides have acknowledged that technical problems resulted in us not seeing as much of his performance as we might have otherwise.  Unfortunate, but not a slight to him and after he was given an explanation didn't seem to bother him all that much.

[rumborak]

I have a different perception, bosky. First they start out with "I didn't physically prepare for the songs", then they show him struggle with the riff parts, and the end they show him saying "it is what it is, can't change anything about it". To me it struck me as if they were trying to show that he himself thought he fucked it up.

rumborak

[tartarus250]

anyone who isnt sure about aqilies's playing should check out his PsychOctopus Solo it is awsome!!!

[nikatapi]

I think Roddy is a great guy and an exceptional drummer.
I believe he is just being honest about it, he probably went to the audition because he was asked. If we were shown some other parts of the audition, the image portrayed by the documentary would be certainly different.
The most interesting thing is that we got to see all these amazing drummers play with DT, and hopefully we will get some crazy outside projects from this drummer story.

[bosk1]

I have a different perception, bosky. First they start out with "I didn't physically prepare for the songs", then they show him struggle with the riff parts, and the end they show him saying "it is what it is, can't change anything about it". To me it struck me as if they were trying to show that he himself thought he fucked it up.

rumborak

I see where you're coming from.  In a sense, you can't really divorce his comments from the general impression created by the whole picture.  But, really, I don't care about his comments.  They do present him in a light of not really taking the audition as seriously as some because, while he was glad for the opportunity, did not think it would work out with the band over the long haul.  But I have no problem with that being portrayed in the doc because those are his own words, they aren't taken out of context, and he has made the point even more forcefully on his forum after the fact.

But, again, as far as his playing goes, other than that very short clip of the riff test, I defy anyone to point out any section of the video where his playing was bad in the slightest.  It just wasn't there.  I guess you could point to TSCO, but I think he nailed that as well.  It's just that the poor sound quality of the camera mic exaggerates the wash from his cymbal hits and can make it sound like he's overplaying, but he's really not.  He nailed that part of the song spot-on, at least from the clips.

[bosk1]

Best comment so far (from the JP forums):

Was I alone in finding it astonishingly hypocritical for Jordan to criticize someone for coming into Dream Theater and adding their own little spin instead of just playing the parts as recorded? I mean, was that supposed to be a joke?

If you think that's hypocritical, wait til the next episode where he gives Priester crap for playing on a kit made entirely out of iPads.

[weddingnails]

anyone who isnt sure about aqilies's playing should check out his PsychOctopus Solo it is awsome!!!

he is insane behind the kit,but just wouldnt fit DT imo

[Demolition]

Roddy does have the right to say how he feels about the whole audition but he shouldn't say anything about how the other drummers feel.  That would just be his perception of it and even if true he it isn't his place to talk about their feelings of the process, only his own.

[John94]

To turn up the level of cheese...

Does anyone think the last video will end with footage of the full version audition of The Spirit Carries On with the new drummer?

[Mebert78]

To turn up the level of cheese...

Does anyone think the last video will end with footage of the full version audition of The Spirit Carries On with the new drummer?

Hmm, good call!

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Best comment so far (from the JP forums):

Was I alone in finding it astonishingly hypocritical for Jordan to criticize someone for coming into Dream Theater and adding their own little spin instead of just playing the parts as recorded? I mean, was that supposed to be a joke?

If you think that's hypocritical, wait til the next episode where he gives Priester crap for playing on a kit made entirely out of iPads.

That's amazing

[IdoSC]

To turn up the level of cheese...

Does anyone think the last video will end with footage of the full version audition of The Spirit Carries On with the new drummer?

We're gonna see this song performed way too many times with the new drummer either way.

Nah, actually, I take it back. This song can't be performed too many times.

[Adami]

To turn up the level of cheese...

Does anyone think the last video will end with footage of the full version audition of The Spirit Carries On with the new drummer?

We're gonna see this song performed way too many times with the new drummer either way.

Nah, actually, I take it back. This song can't be performed too many times.

Yes it can. Anything more than what it has already been performed is too many times. It needs to be retired for a while.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Man, Derek Roddy is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1thRCrBgoF0&feature=related

[KevShmev]

Call me crazy, but it seems weird to be complaining about being shown in not the most positive light for a gig that you admittedly both didn't really want or really prepare for.

[rumborak]

To turn up the level of cheese...

Does anyone think the last video will end with footage of the full version audition of The Spirit Carries On with the new drummer?

Hmm, good call!

It seemed suspicious that they didn't show Mike's performance of TSCO at all, indeed.

rumborak

[Aramatheis]

I wonder if Roddy uses snake skin drum heads.

[Implode]

To me it struck me as if they were trying to show that he himself thought he fucked it up.

rumborak

I agree. I mean what question do you think they asked him? They saw that the riff test didn't go perfectly so asked the loaded question, "Would you have changed anything about the audition?" It didn't matter what the answer was. The question put forth the message they wanted.

[rumborak]

So, in summary for me, both sides were definitely at fault here. Roddy for going into this thing somewhat half-assed, DT & management for exploiting this fact for the drama it would produce on the screen.

rumborak

[chrisgazpacho]

Call me crazy, but it seems weird to be complaining about being shown in not the most positive light for a gig that you admittedly both didn't really want or really prepare for.

Yeah really, I'm sure if DT knew he was only coming becuase they asked him, they would have said thanks but no thanks. His comments in the video are a big tip off at where his head space was at with the whole thing.  I'm here for the DT audition which is nice.  Huh?  As opposed to Mangini, I want to be in this BAND!  Even Marco was kinda like yeah why not when he was recounting his conversation with Jordan about auditioning. Lang gave off the same vibe, we'll sure you asked I'll come.  But there was no passion about wanting to be in the band.  So far it seems Mangini and Donati are really the only ones that seemed into the band in any capacity and really want it. ( That we've seen so far,  Peter seems to be a fan, and I'm guessing Priester as well given his background and style of music he plays)  I think Marco was more into the idea of playing with DT after the audition.

[rumborak]

Call me crazy, but it seems weird to be complaining about being shown in not the most positive light for a gig that you admittedly both didn't really want or really prepare for.

Yeah really, I'm sure if DT knew he was only coming becuase they asked him, they would have said thanks but no thanks. His comments in the video are a big tip off at where his head space was at with the whole thing.  I'm here for the DT audition which is nice.  Huh?  As opposed to Mangini, I want to be in this BAND!  Even Marco was kinda like yeah why not when he was recounting his conversation with Jordan about auditioning. Lang gave off the same vibe, we'll sure you asked I'll come.  But there was no passion about wanting to be in the band.  So far it seems Mangini and Donati are really the only ones that seemed into the band in any capacity and really want it. ( That we've seen so far,  Peter seems to be a fan, and I'm guessing Priester as well given his background and style of music he plays)  I think Marco was more into the idea of playing with DT after the audition.

There's two sides to the coin. I for one was a bit taken aback by Mangini's overt "I WANT TO BE IN THIS BAND!!". I think the others were approaching it from a more professional level, just like any other person applying for a job.

rumborak

[jdprsaga]

I'm sad the drummer thing is getting a little dirty with all the noise from fans and drummers..  i just hope at the end DT and the 8 drummers (including MP) ends in good terms and lots of side projects.

[Dream Team]

Back to the Roddy situation:

A lot of people here are jumping too quick to criticize him; and a lot of posters on his forum are too quick to criticize DT. The reality is probably in the middle, and the bottom line is Derek said the DT guys are great, he had a lot of fun, and would love to play with them some time. He doesn't seem too bitter to me, and the DT guys obviously like him as a person.

[Dream Team]

I'm sad the drummer thing is getting a little dirty with all the noise from fans and drummers..  i just hope at the end DT and the 8 drummers (including MP) ends in good terms and lots of side projects.

Well said.

[Ħ]

A couple things tell me that Roddy's audition wasn't great.  First, his general approach was "I didn't do much to prepare physically" and "this morning, I just listened to the songs".   Second, he got no "you passed Phase One!" comments from the DT guys.  Third, no exit interview.  Along with the other things that people brought up, I don't think it's a stretch to at least say that Roddy had the worst audition of the five we've seen so far.

Obviously no one has yet been painted in a negative light, but....the general vibe is that he really didn't do too well.  The DT guys really didn't seem too impressed, and it looked like JP was digging for something nice to say when he brought up Roddy's blast beats.

[zebolasha]

Friends, can someone explain me why I find two different posts by MM about his being not the DT drummer?  

1) The one I read in this thread
"hi, no I'm not DTs drummer:-). But I did work with Jordan on the "musical mind meld", and we have plans for a trio project with John P and Jordan together. And I'm sorry I ended up being unwillingly dragged into these imo silly soap opera DT episodes, haha. I really didn't want that and wasn't asked for approval. Love to all of ya:-)"

2) Another one found here https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/04/22/marco-minnemann-i-am-not-dream-theaters-new-drummer/
"Haha, thanks, but I’m not DTs drummer. I know everybody thinks I am and our chemistry is great, but I’m doing actually another thing with Jordan and there are also plans for another project with Jordan and John P together."

Isn't it suspicios?

[rumborak]

A couple things tell me that Roddy's audition wasn't great.  First, his general approach was "I didn't do much to prepare physically" and "this morning, I just listened to the songs".   Second, he got no "you passed Phase One!" comments from the DT guys.  Third, no exit interview.  Along with the other things that people brought up, I don't think it's a stretch to at least say that Roddy had the worst audition of the five we've seen so far.

Obviously no one has yet been painted in a negative light, but....the general vibe is that he really didn't do too well.  The DT guys really didn't seem too impressed, and it looked like JP was digging for something nice to say when he brought up Roddy's blast beats.

Yeah, but don't underestimate the skill of a video producer to paint somebody in a bad light by choosing convenient snippets.

rumborak

[rumborak]

Friends, can someone explain me why I find two different posts by MM about his being not the DT drummer?  

1) The one I read in this thread
"hi, no I'm not DTs drummer:-). But I did work with Jordan on the "musical mind meld", and we have plans for a trio project with John P and Jordan together. And I'm sorry I ended up being unwillingly dragged into these imo silly soap opera DT episodes, haha. I really didn't want that and wasn't asked for approval. Love to all of ya:-)"

2) Another one found here https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/04/22/marco-minnemann-i-am-not-dream-theaters-new-drummer/
"Haha, thanks, but I’m not DTs drummer. I know everybody thinks I am and our chemistry is great, but I’m doing actually another thing with Jordan and there are also plans for another project with Jordan and John P together."

Isn't it suspicios?

What exact part is suspicious?

rumborak

[russellmania]

It doesn't sound to me like there are any hard feeling from Roddy.  He does say at the end that he'd definitely like to play with the guys again in the future.  I think he just didn't want the gig that bad and knows he wouldn't have been the best fit anyway.  

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

It doesn't sound to me like there are any hard feeling from Roddy.  He does say at the end that he'd definitely like to play with the guys again in the future.  I think he just didn't want the gig that bad and knows he wouldn't have been the best fit anyway.  

Yeah, it's his wording that hurt the content of the message.

[Ben_Jamin]

I agree with Russel. He didn't have that attitude and drive to want it, which is what DT are looking for.

He is a pretty good drummer though, and the blast beat part in ANTR would be cool to see. 

[zebolasha]

Friends, can someone explain me why I find two different posts by MM about his being not the DT drummer?  

1) The one I read in this thread
"hi, no I'm not DTs drummer:-). But I did work with Jordan on the "musical mind meld", and we have plans for a trio project with John P and Jordan together. And I'm sorry I ended up being unwillingly dragged into these imo silly soap opera DT episodes, haha. I really didn't want that and wasn't asked for approval. Love to all of ya:-)"

2) Another one found here https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/04/22/marco-minnemann-i-am-not-dream-theaters-new-drummer/
"Haha, thanks, but I’m not DTs drummer. I know everybody thinks I am and our chemistry is great, but I’m doing actually another thing with Jordan and there are also plans for another project with Jordan and John P together."

Isn't it suspicios?

What exact part is suspicious?

rumborak

I mean, was it several times that he denied being a DT drummer or what?
Are there any proofs that any of the posts is authentic?

[JPX]

I mean, was it several times that he denied being a DT drummer or what?
Are there any proofs that any of the posts is authentic?

It's irrelevant at this point because I think we're all 99.9% sure that Mike Mangini got the job. There have been no indications otherwise.