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 Copy Share Image
It's been an incredible experience, playing with Twisted Sister, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold, jamming with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, and the… — Mike Portnoy Ace 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 Drumming Copy Share Image
I really do care what people think, and I revolved my whole career and all the twenty five years with Dream Theater...… — Mike Portnoy Band Copy Share Image
I live a very open life. I value my relationship with the fans, and I utilize Twitter and Facebook and my web… — Mike Portnoy Books Copy Share Image
When sequencing an album, you kind of have to look at it like you're making a movie with different acts, and you… — Mike Portnoy Album 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 I am Copy Share Image
I absolutely am not the 'de facto front man' in The Mob - that title surely goes to Russell Allen, who is… — Mike Portnoy Band Copy Share Image
With Dream Theater live, I may have been a bit of a focal point because I absolutely live for the energy on… — Mike Portnoy Dream Copy Share Image
If you do anything long enough, people can't ignore you anymore. — Mike Portnoy Anymore Copy Share Image
A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that. — Mike Portnoy Dream Copy Share Image
To me, there's way more to being a good drummer than precision and technique. — Mike Portnoy Drummer Copy Share Image
To me, a great drummer isn't always about somebody with chops who can shred. A great drummer is someone who is part… — Mike Portnoy Always Copy Share Image
I tend to like the heavier things, especially live on stage. I need that energy and interaction and feeling the audience. — Mike Portnoy Audience Copy Share Image
I love my family more than life itself, but I can only sit at home by my pool eating barbecue food so… — Mike Portnoy Family Copy Share Image
One of my biggest concerns was how defensive the fans would be over The REV's drum throne. I'm grateful they have been… — Mike Portnoy Concern 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 Drummer Copy Share Image
After I left Dream Theater, and I was doing Avenged Sevenfold, Twisted Sister... all these other things, I made a lot of… — Mike Portnoy Avenged sevenfold Copy Share Image
Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can basically play… — Mike Portnoy Change 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 Ability Copy Share Image
