The Mike Mangini Thread (Thanks & Farewell)

[MirrorMask]

They could take a hint from Iron Maiden and keep both guitarists.

Also, for all the complaints James receives, Bon Jovi wishes he could still sing...... "as bad" (most fervent critics' opinion, not mine) as James!

[Madman Shepherd]

They could take a hint from Iron Maiden and keep both guitarists.

Also, for all the complaints James receives, Bon Jovi wishes he could still sing...... "as bad" (most fervent critics' opinion, not mine) as James!

Truth. He did start using tapes to use as leads too. When he sings it, not only does it sound terrible, but he has to stand very awkwardly to sing anywhere near the melody. And by near I mean within the... not even ballpark but....city limits?

[cramx3]

I havent seen Bon Jovi in maybe 6 years now, but I've heard he greatly declined after the pandemic.  Just another parellel to the DT situation, both bands have poor live vocals and both could use the splash of bringing back an original member.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't think there is much similarity in the situations with DT and BJ.  Sambora didn't leave on any bad terms at all, he left due to some personal and family reasons.  Whoever his replacement was was never taking his place, and I would be shocked if anyone in that fanbase would be outraged by Sambora returning, under any circumstance.

[bosk1]

I don't think there is much similarity in the situations with DT and BJ.  Sambora didn't leave on any bad terms at all, he left due to some personal and family reasons.  Whoever his replacement was was never taking his place, and I would be shocked if anyone in that fanbase would be outraged by Sambora returning, under any circumstance.

I agree (other than the fact that it has been widely speculated that "personal and family reasons" is a euphemism for...other things; but even if true, that doesn't really change your overall point, which I again agree with). 

[Madman Shepherd]

I havent seen Bon Jovi in maybe 6 years now, but I've heard he greatly declined after the pandemic.  Just another parellel to the DT situation, both bands have poor live vocals and both could use the splash of bringing back an original member.

Really don't wanna debate JLB but JBJ is another level of poor performances. His voice is totally fried. It's bad.

[gzarruk]

https://fb.watch/ocSGJMWe7E/?mibextid=qC1gEa



(It's a meme)

[KevShmev]

I havent seen Bon Jovi in maybe 6 years now, but I've heard he greatly declined after the pandemic.  Just another parellel to the DT situation, both bands have poor live vocals and both could use the splash of bringing back an original member.

Really don't wanna debate JLB but JBJ is another level of poor performances. His voice is totally fried. It's bad.

Yep.  The live clips I saw from last year were beyond atrocious, and it is so bad that a work friend who is a DIEHARD Bon Jovi (Jon Bon Jovi is her lifelong celeb crush) said after seeing them last year that she would never pay to see them again.  Her comment on his singing was, "It was really bad."

[MoraWintersoul]

I don't think there is much similarity in the situations with DT and BJ.  Sambora didn't leave on any bad terms at all, he left due to some personal and family reasons.  Whoever his replacement was was never taking his place, and I would be shocked if anyone in that fanbase would be outraged by Sambora returning, under any circumstance.

I agree (other than the fact that it has been widely speculated that "personal and family reasons" is a euphemism for...other things; but even if true, that doesn't really change your overall point, which I again agree with).

Also, the way he quit. Apparently he just went up and left in the middle of a tour with very little explanation, and they just assumed it would just be the rest of the tour, so they said he would not perform at the upcoming shows due to personal reasons.

[JiM-Xtreme]

Watching the Drummer Auditions for the first time since it come out. I'd forgotten how much of himself he put into his audition... bursting with energy, enthusiasm with power... like a man possessed. It's simply amazing to watch.

I'm glad he got the gig. All the best to him.

[Dream Team]

JBJ aging badly was very predictable. He was an extremely average talent even in his prime.

[WilliamMunny]

JBJ aging badly was very predictable. He was an extremely average talent even in his prime.

Setting aside your swipe at his 'talent' (not that I disagree), the thing that confuses me about JBJ is that, for the most part, the songs are not super challenging vocally. Or, perhaps it's better to say that, there are multiple vocal parts in most of those hits, and JBJ typically had the 'easiest' melody.

From the clips I've seen, it's like he simply couldn't find the notes. If I didn't know better, I'd say he had lost his hearing, bc it (and I am not trying to be crass) kinda sounds like what it sounds like when someone who is deaf tries to sing.

For a man that has 37 people and all the tech in the world on stage with him (hyperbole), you'd think there'd be a solution, but simply not acknowledging it almost makes it worse.

[Dream Team]

He doesn't have to worry about it, when you've crossed the border into that level of popularity the legions will eat it up no matter what. Taylor Swift is so popular that she could have a entire tour where she is struggling vocally and it just wouldn't matter. People are there to "see" her just as much if not more than to "hear" her.

[TheCountOfNYC]

He doesn't have to worry about it, when you've crossed the border into that level of popularity the legions will eat it up no matter what. Taylor Swift is so popular that she could have a entire tour where she is struggling vocally and it just wouldn't matter. People are there to "see" her just as much if not more than to "hear" her.

This. If people want to hear a perfect performance, they can listen to the records at home for free. They go to shows for the energy of a live performance. It's why DLR is one of the greatest frontmen of all time. It's not his singing talents. It's his ability to connect with a crowd and bring an energy to the stage that very few can.

[WilliamMunny]

He doesn't have to worry about it, when you've crossed the border into that level of popularity the legions will eat it up no matter what. Taylor Swift is so popular that she could have a entire tour where she is struggling vocally and it just wouldn't matter. People are there to "see" her just as much if not more than to "hear" her.

This. If people want to hear a perfect performance, they can listen to the records at home for free. They go to shows for the energy of a live performance. It's why DLR is one of the greatest frontmen of all time. It's not his singing talents. It's his ability to connect with a crowd and bring an energy to the stage that very few can.

I'm totally on board with you both...that said, the videos I've seen don't flatter JBJ physically or vocally. But I'm not here to tell anyone who to see in concert. The sold out arenas obviously speak for themselves.

[Stadler]

He doesn't have to worry about it, when you've crossed the border into that level of popularity the legions will eat it up no matter what. Taylor Swift is so popular that she could have a entire tour where she is struggling vocally and it just wouldn't matter. People are there to "see" her just as much if not more than to "hear" her.

This. If people want to hear a perfect performance, they can listen to the records at home for free. They go to shows for the energy of a live performance. It's why DLR is one of the greatest frontmen of all time. It's not his singing talents. It's his ability to connect with a crowd and bring an energy to the stage that very few can.

I'm totally on board with you both...that said, the videos I've seen don't flatter JBJ physically or vocally. But I'm not here to tell anyone who to see in concert. The sold out arenas obviously speak for themselves.

I'm not fully on board with this.  I love James - he's a big reason why I like DT, and listen to almost zero other prog metal - and I do not at all think he was only "average" in his prime.   Also, James is not Taylor Swift.  I'm not there just to see him and be seen.  I know it's a rock concert, and I don't need note perfect, but I think it's only fair that he at least sing in pitch.  it doesn't have to be the note that was on the record - revise the melodies if you want, improvise if you want - but if you do go for a particular note, it's not unreasonable to ask that you hit it.

When I saw him this last go round, he was largely IN tune and I thought he sang well; there were a couple moments though where I was like "what song was he singing?!?".   For better or worse, he recovered and it was never for any extended period of time.

[gzarruk]

They're talking about Bon Jovi, not James

[Stadler]

They're talking about Bon Jovi, not James

I misunderstood.   Sorry.

[TheCountOfNYC]

They're talking about Bon Jovi, not James

I misunderstood.   Sorry.

Is that why you feel abandoned even when the world surrounds you?

[Stadler]

They're talking about Bon Jovi, not James

I misunderstood.   Sorry.

Is that why you feel abandoned even when the world surrounds you?

It challenges the essence of my soul. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

They're talking about Bon Jovi, not James

I misunderstood.   Sorry.

Is that why you feel abandoned even when the world surrounds you?

It challenges the essence of my soul.

Does it leave you in a state of disconnection?

[Madman Shepherd]

Got my Mangini CD in the mail today! If you pre-ordered it, be on the look out!

[emtee]

Really dislike the vocalist. Just seems...off, grating, not sure how to explain it. Bottom line, I don't like it.

[Dedalus]

It's a strange album to be the restart of a career. Maybe because it was just made as a solo album by the then Dream Theater drummer.

To begin with, it's a solo album by a drummer, something we don't see a lot of out there. So you could imagine that the songs were constructed to give all the prominence to the drums, right? Wrong. The drums complement the other instruments (as is indeed the role of the drums).
Perhaps because it was composed by a drummer, the album is too rhythmic, syncopated, groovy. It lacks more striking riffs. If we add this to the fact that the vocal melodies are often similar, this makes the album a little tiring.
Majura's vocals are an interesting point: on the one hand, the way she sings seems to contribute to the feeling of having heard this before on this album. On the other hand, there is a personality there, it doesn't seem generic.

There are good moments throughout the album, but it's not a fluid listen. But I like the way Mangini plays on the entire album.

The positive point of the endeavor is the fact that it is a very brave album for an artist linked to prog metal/prog whatever. It's not the type of music we would expect from someone linked to this universe. Let's agree that, with the right people, it's not difficult to record a generic prog album and please the public (e.g. Temic). Mike did the unexpected. And that could be bad in the current context.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It's a strange album to be the restart of a career. Maybe because it was just made as a solo album by the then Dream Theater drummer.

To begin with, it's a solo album by a drummer, something we don't see a lot of out there. So you could imagine that the songs were constructed to give all the prominence to the drums, right? Wrong. The drums complement the other instruments (as is indeed the role of the drums).
Perhaps because it was composed by a drummer, the album is too rhythmic, syncopated, groovy. It lacks more striking riffs. If we add this to the fact that the vocal melodies are often similar, this makes the album a little tiring.
Majura's vocals are an interesting point: on the one hand, the way she sings seems to contribute to the feeling of having heard this before on this album. On the other hand, there is a personality there, it doesn't seem generic.

There are good moments throughout the album, but it's not a fluid listen. But I like the way Mangini plays on the entire album.

The positive point of the endeavor is the fact that it is a very brave album for an artist linked to prog metal/prog whatever. It's not the type of music we would expect from someone linked to this universe. Let's agree that, with the right people, it's not difficult to record a generic prog album and please the public (e.g. Temic). Mike did the unexpected. And that could be bad in the current context.

Bingo. I think it was in progress and the drummer changed occurred during construction.

The drumming is fantastic on the solo album. I don't love a lot of the melodies but I am enjoying it as a whole. Also happy to support an incredible musician who puts out quality work.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this comment: To begin with, it's a solo album by a drummer, something we don't see a lot of out there. So you could imagine that the songs were constructed to give all the prominence to the drums, right? Wrong. The drums complement the other instruments (as is indeed the role of the drums).

That is exactly what I observed too. You would think that with all MM's knowledge and technical prowess, a solo album would be full of 'look at me' self indulgence, but it is not. He clearly is thinking about the song as a whole in which the drums emphasize what the other instruments are doing. That is one of the reasons why I never understood the MM criticism that he was intruding on the other instruments in Dream Theater. I heard drum parts that were thoughtfully written to bring out what everyone else was playing. And indeed that is one of the roles of the drummer. It all made sense together. I am not a drummer but from knowing a few (and from taking music lessons for decades myself) I know that good teachers often ask you WHY you played what you played...and musical reason why is often tied to what the others in your band are doing at that moment.

[devieira73]

I really liked the album. Sure the vocals sounds a bit unusual, especially in the verses, but it helps to add personality to the album. The drum grooves are all really nice and, say what you want, I loved the drums going crazy, following the guitar in the solo sections of EVERY song (in fact, the way the guitar solos were composed, I think it was the other way round). Some will say that "it gets old fast", but you don't see it in almost any other album ever released, so, to compensate, it's really cool to have at least one album full of it!

[gzarruk]

It's a strange album to be the restart of a career. Maybe because it was just made as a solo album by the then Dream Theater drummer.

That's the thing. Mike wrote the album with the intent of doing something completely different to what he was doing (at the time) with DT, and that's what he said on interviews. The issue is that just when he was about to release it, he gets replaced in DT, and is now "stuck" with something that might not be his best work but it's always going to be the first thing he ever did after DT to the public.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

[MinistroRaven]

Mangini's back to teaching:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/mike-manginis-drum-mastery-unveiled-exclusive-in-person-masterclass-series-for-drum-enthusiasts/

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Mangini's back to teaching:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/mike-manginis-drum-mastery-unveiled-exclusive-in-person-masterclass-series-for-drum-enthusiasts/

Hopefully 13 years with DT has led to more demand for his teaching expertise. He seems like a great teacher and the reviews on ratemyprofessor appear to confirm that. 

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Mangini's back to teaching:

https://lotsofmuzik.com/mike-manginis-drum-mastery-unveiled-exclusive-in-person-masterclass-series-for-drum-enthusiasts/

Hopefully 13 years with DT has led to more demand for his teaching expertise. He seems like a great teacher and the reviews on ratemyprofessor appear to confirm that. 

Dude, this is awesome (and hilarious)! It's so funny to see a former Dream Theater member on RMP.

As someone who graduated from college almost 12 years ago and has been taking college classes on and off since 2020, my opinion of Mangini genuinely improved when I saw that monster 4.8/5 rating. There are way too many terrible college professors who clearly don't care about their students (I've dealt with some recently). Basically every student review says that Mangini is awesome.

[Ben_Jamin]

You know what's hilarious....


I just realized I got to see Mangini's final show with DT at the last date of the Dreamsonic tour. It's crazy though that when I first saw them on the tour for A View... I saw them at their first show since Covid in Phoenix, AZ. The last show I saw, which ended up being Mangini's last show with DT, was the last Dreamsonic date in Phoenix, AZ. Which is a great way for that entire tour to come full circle.

I am also glad I got to see the songs I did during these two tours. Getting to see The Ministry of Lost Souls, About to Crash and the Reprise, Solitary Shell, Losing Time, The Count of Tuscany, Answering The Call was a great treat for me as those are among my favorites I have always wanted to see live. Actually most of the non A View songs they played I was glad I got to finally see. I've seen Endless Sacrifice played on Gigantour but it was when I didn't really know much from the band, although I did know that song from watching Live at Budakon. Live at Budakon played a huge role in me getting into Dream Theater, so being able to see Endless Sacrifice was an awesome surprise since it was the first show and nobody had any idea what the Setlist was going to be. Mangini did an excellent job with that song and It was a fantastic hearing what Mangini would do with it, he did an awesome job and his fill after the solo's was neat.

Although I wish they would've continued on with him, It was great getting to be there and experience his final show with the band. And what better way to end his time than with The Spirit Carries On with the other bands on Dreamsonic playing with DT.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

maybe he can get a job with those other bands

maybe DT was setting him up with those other bands as auditions for them since they'd be parting ways soon

the above post is my own speculation with no evidence

[Max Kuehnau]

My wish would be for Mike for Steve Vai to call him again, since he was Steve's greatest drummer (him and Vinnie Colaiuta). One can dream. I'm eternally grateful for his service to DT, he shouldn't have been let go. It's unlikely for me to be able to ever understand why that happened.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

MM and Steve Vai should make a Frank Zappa tribute group and tour