When you're putting together a concept album, it's all about the flow and the story. Mike Portnoy More Quotes by Mike Portnoy More Quotes From Mike Portnoy To me, the most important tool is not a physical or a technical one. It's more of a cerebral one. It's your brain. It's about having an interest in experimenting musically, perhaps touching on several different genres of music. No doubt, the most important tool is the mind. It's the willingness to experiment freely. Mike Portnoy touching mind brain One of my biggest concerns was how defensive the fans would be over The REV's drum throne. I'm grateful they have been welcoming. Mike Portnoy grateful fans would-be I wanted to completely honor The REV and pay tribute to him and carry on the legacy that he intended with this record. Mike Portnoy records legacy honor I don't want people to think that I think I'm this great drummer because, to me, I'm just a kid playing drums, and I love music. Mike Portnoy me music love people It's nice when somebody says that you're their 'favorite' drummer. Mike Portnoy somebody you drummer nice I'd just like to be remembered as a huge music lover. Mike Portnoy just like remembered music I'd rather be entertained and go to a show and watch a drummer and have somebody that makes me actually smile. So I don't judge drummers based on their technical ability; I judge them based on the overall package and what they bring to the music they're part of. Mike Portnoy judge me smile music Trite as it sounds, follow your heart. Persevere. And if you follow your heart and persevere, it will pay off. Mike Portnoy will you follow-your-heart heart I have no interest in playing 'perfect.' To me, it's more about being an entertainer. Having a connection with the audience. Mike Portnoy connection being me perfect Change is inevitable with the evolution of technology. In the '70s, we had records. In the '80s, we had CDs, and now we are living in the digital age. You can say it's sad or unfortunate, but the reality is you've got to roll with the times and the technology. Mike Portnoy sad technology change age Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite of Adrenaline Mob, which has more classic metal influences like Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Pantera, or Disturbed. They are completely different ends of spectrum. Mike Portnoy think colors black flying To me, there's way more to being a good drummer than precision and technique. Mike Portnoy good me drummer way My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself. Mike Portnoy lesson stay true yourself Life is too short for resentments, and I always forgive. Mike Portnoy short always life-is-too-short life If you're not gonna be happy, then it's not worth doing anything. Mike Portnoy be-happy doing you happy I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and Lamb of God, just as much as I can with Rush and Yes. Mike Portnoy music i-can god beauty One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in one band. Mike Portnoy end drummer dream want I have so much gratitude that I get to do this for a living and that I actually have fans who come to the shows and buy the records and support me online. Mike Portnoy me gratitude support fans There's been a lot of crossing paths with the Yes camp over the years for me. The first one was when Dream Theater and Yes toured together in 2004, which was a lot of fun. Mike Portnoy me together dream fun My love for Yes is pretty well-documented. Mike Portnoy yes pretty love
