Dylan Gowan at Banger TV caught up with Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy on the recently wrapped North American leg of the band’s 40th anniversary tour. Check out the full interview below.
Portnoy: “I think sometimes people overlook the importance of the metal side to Dream Theater, especially with me in the band. It’s a really important aspect. It always has been. If you look at the very, very first song from the very first album, ‘A Fortune In Lies’, I was playing thrash, double bass, thrash beats right outta the gate. And we’ve always had songs like that, whether it be ‘The Glass Prison’ or ‘Panic Attack’ or ‘A Nightmare To Remember’. It’s been a big part of the band’s sound, and, to be honest, I think it’s a big part of the band’s success.”
“There’s a lot of prog bands or prog metal bands that are still kind of underground and still play smaller shows or maybe don’t sell as many records because maybe they haven’t tapped into the metal side. But the fact that the metal side is such a big, big part of our sound, I think is what elevates Dream Theater to be the cream of the crop in terms of ticket sales and record sales in the prog universe. I think it’s that metal side that does it.”
On March 22, Dream Theater brought their 40 Anniversary Tour to Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It was the last North American show of their 40th Anniversary tour. The band has shared the recap video below.
A message states: “New York, we had the best of times.
What a night and what a way to end the North American leg of the 40th Anniversary Tour! A big thank you to all who came out and supported us on this tour, it was unbelievably special for all of us and it wouldn’t have been possible without your support. We will be back on the road in the summer with some festival appearances and shows in unique locations / venues. Check dreamtheater.net/tour for all the details!”
Fan-filmed video of the entire Radio City Music Hall show can be viewed below.
Setlist:
Act I:
“Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper”
“Act I: Scene Two: I. Overture 1928”
“Act I: Scene Two: II. Strange Déjà Vu”
“The Mirror”
“Panic Attack”
“Barstool Warrior”
“Hollow Years” (’96 demo version)
“Under A Glass Moon”
“The Dark Eternal Night”
Act II:
“Night Terror”
“Midnight Messiah”
“Vacant”
“Stream Of Consciousness”
“Octavarium”
Encore:
“The Best of Times” (with Jonathan Dinklage – live debut)
“Pull Me Under”
Drummer Mike Portnoy shared his thoughts following the show:
“Still recovering and basking in the glow from Saturday’s EPIC evening at Radio City Music Hall…hands down, one of my most favorite shows I’ve EVER played. Absolutely perfect in every respect!
Looking out and seeing a Sold Out Radio City packed with the biggest DT fans in the world all gathered together to celebrate the bands 40th Anniversary together was absolutely magical from start to finish!
And the surprise live debut of ‘The Best Of Times’ (the only song in my original DT discography that had never been played live), joined by Jonathan Dinklage on violin, was the icing on the cake. I honestly could not contain my tears throughout the performance…it was so emotional for me to pay tribute to my dad (who was in the audience when we played RCMH in 2006) in such a glorious way. It was absolutely perfect.
After 5 months of touring Europe, South America and North America, we are taking a couple of months to recover and spend some time at home with our families before we resume touring in June / July for another round in Europe for a combination of metal festivals and some more special DT40 headline shows.”
The post MIKE PORTNOY – “I Think Sometimes People Overlook The Importance Of The Metal Side To DREAM THEATER” (Video) appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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Portnoy: “I think sometimes people overlook the importance of the metal side to Dream Theater, especially with me in the band. It’s a really important aspect. It always has been. If you look at the very, very first song from the very first album, ‘A Fortune In Lies’, I was playing thrash, double bass, thrash beats right outta the gate. And we’ve always had songs like that, whether it be ‘The Glass Prison’ or ‘Panic Attack’ or ‘A Nightmare To Remember’. It’s been a big part of the band’s sound, and, to be honest, I think it’s a big part of the band’s success.”
“There’s a lot of prog bands or prog metal bands that are still kind of underground and still play smaller shows or maybe don’t sell as many records because maybe they haven’t tapped into the metal side. But the fact that the metal side is such a big, big part of our sound, I think is what elevates Dream Theater to be the cream of the crop in terms of ticket sales and record sales in the prog universe. I think it’s that metal side that does it.”
On March 22, Dream Theater brought their 40 Anniversary Tour to Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It was the last North American show of their 40th Anniversary tour. The band has shared the recap video below.
A message states: “New York, we had the best of times.

Fan-filmed video of the entire Radio City Music Hall show can be viewed below.
Setlist:
Act I:
“Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper”
“Act I: Scene Two: I. Overture 1928”
“Act I: Scene Two: II. Strange Déjà Vu”
“The Mirror”
“Panic Attack”
“Barstool Warrior”
“Hollow Years” (’96 demo version)
“Under A Glass Moon”
“The Dark Eternal Night”
Act II:
“Night Terror”
“Midnight Messiah”
“Vacant”
“Stream Of Consciousness”
“Octavarium”
Encore:
“The Best of Times” (with Jonathan Dinklage – live debut)
“Pull Me Under”
Drummer Mike Portnoy shared his thoughts following the show:
“Still recovering and basking in the glow from Saturday’s EPIC evening at Radio City Music Hall…hands down, one of my most favorite shows I’ve EVER played. Absolutely perfect in every respect!
Looking out and seeing a Sold Out Radio City packed with the biggest DT fans in the world all gathered together to celebrate the bands 40th Anniversary together was absolutely magical from start to finish!
And the surprise live debut of ‘The Best Of Times’ (the only song in my original DT discography that had never been played live), joined by Jonathan Dinklage on violin, was the icing on the cake. I honestly could not contain my tears throughout the performance…it was so emotional for me to pay tribute to my dad (who was in the audience when we played RCMH in 2006) in such a glorious way. It was absolutely perfect.
After 5 months of touring Europe, South America and North America, we are taking a couple of months to recover and spend some time at home with our families before we resume touring in June / July for another round in Europe for a combination of metal festivals and some more special DT40 headline shows.”
The post MIKE PORTNOY – “I Think Sometimes People Overlook The Importance Of The Metal Side To DREAM THEATER” (Video) appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...