In one week, Dream Theater will launch the maiden voyage of their Progressive Nation festival in Los Angeles. The tour, organized by drummer Mike Portnoy, features the prog-metal veterans along with opening bands Opeth, 3 and Between the Buried and Me.
Progressive Nation marks the first large-scale national tour to focus exclusively on an eclectic range of progressive bands, from straight ahead rock to psychedelic doom and death metal. In a year when Gigantour has removed the focus a bit from the technical proficiency of its acts, Portnoy’s traveling progfest could become the go-to destination for fans of complex metal and superlative musicianship.
We recently talked to Portnoy about the birth of Progressive Nation, his background in prog metal, the genre’s history, Dream Theater’s recently released compilation Greatest Hit (…and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) and how the band almost broke up after their only top 10 radio hit “Pull Me Under.” Portnoy was also candid about being a control freak and how alcohol and drug abuse almost ruined his life. Click “more” to hear the Headbangers Ball Blog podcast interview.
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Mr. Portnoy, you are my *$%$*%@ hero dude as well as the rest of the band you guys are my fav. Mike you are my idol. Also just wanted to say thanx for being who you guys are ,and thanx for writing from the heart because you all have trully inspired me to live and and to believe in my own images and words and such powerful entities that can’t help but live out loud !!!! love and respect forever!
In response to david’s question: more than you could ever f***ing imagine. By the way, the set in the photo is now incorrect. Mike recently switched to the Mirage Monster last year. There were pictures of it in the October Modern Drummer.
Long live Dream Theater.
[…] de metal progresivo toque en la capital azteca. Para eso y con motivo de su visita ponemos en esta liga el podcast de Headbangers Blog donde el medio platicó con el baterista de la banda Mike Portnoy. […]
i just want to ask you mike how much do your drums cost?
What a great interview! There need to be more musicians that are as dedicated and passionate about their music like Mike is. I have met him twice, and am still blown away. I have been a fan since 1995, and have never been dissapointed in any DT album or side project he has been involved with. Great job Mike, keep setting standards.
Peace.
I tip my hat to Mike Portney. he has my respect.