It's so refreshing to just play straight-ahead music with lots of twists. — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I surround myself with incredible musicians who inspire me to always do my best. — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
First and foremost, play what you love to play. Don't try to jump on a bandwagon or a trend or a popular… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I think it's important for a young musician to stick with a band for a while and really work with a band… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I don't think I was ever meant to be tied down to one band for the rest of my life, playing one… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I don't consider myself a great drummer. I consider myself just a music fan that's a very, very passionate artist, and the… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
There's the drums, the music, the melodies, the lyrics, the production, the artwork: there are so many elements to making an album,… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
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,… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
When you're making this kind of music, you don't need a producer. If you're making pop albums or trying to write hit… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
To me, the most important tool is not a physical or a technical one. It's more of a cerebral one. It's your… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
With the Neal Morse Band, we're doing progressive music with a harder edge; it's a little more in Dream Theater territory for… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
It's all about the music, and I work as hard as I do strictly because of the music. It's not a money… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
I'd rather be entertained and go to a show and watch a drummer and have somebody that makes me actually smile. So… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share Image
My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself. — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
I don't even like doing drum solos live; to me, it's like, 'Ehhh.' It doesn't really interest me. — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
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… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
It's all about the music, and I work as hard as I do strictly because of the music. It's not a money thing; it's… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
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… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
I have no interest in playing 'perfect.' To me, it's more about being an entertainer. Having a connection with the audience. — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm getting to… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with Adrenaline Mob. — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite… — Mike Portnoy Copy Share
