---
title: "Best Mike Portnoy Sayings"
description: "Mike Portnoy is an American drummer, backing vocalist and co‑founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Browse 102 Mike Portnoy quotes."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b002/author-mike-portnoy-5256.jpg"
---

![Portrait of Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b002/author-mike-portnoy-5256.jpg)

# Mike Portnoy

(1967)   Drummer

 **102** quotes in **353** categories

Rate this collection:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

Mike Portnoy is a drummer.

## Quick Facts About Mike Portnoy

Born April 20, 1967

Profession Drummer

## About Mike Portnoy

Michael Stephen Portnoy is an American drummer best known for his work with Dream Theater, where he also performed backing vocals and helped found the band.

##  Quotes by Mike Portnoy · Page 3

> [After I wrote 'The Best Of Times' for my dad and after I completed the '12 Steps Suite' with Dream Theater, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/after-i-wrote-the-best-of-times-for-my-dad-and-after-i-completed-the/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d6/mike-portnoy-5256_best_after-i-wrote-the-best-of-times-for-my-d_1739580.jpg)

> [I tend to like the heavier things, especially live on stage. I need that energy and interaction and feeling the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-tend-to-like-the-heavier-things-especially-live-on-stage-i-need/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e77/mike-portnoy-5256_audience_i-tend-to-like-the-heavier-things-especi_3227764.jpg)

> [I wanted to completely honor The REV and pay tribute to him and carry on the legacy that he intended with this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-wanted-to-completely-honor-the-rev-and-pay-tribute-to-him-and-carry/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/mike-portnoy-5256_honor_i-wanted-to-completely-honor-the-rev-and_1155633.jpg)

> [I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-music-fan-first-and-foremost-i-can-find-the-beauty-in-jellyfish/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ef/mike-portnoy-5256_beauty_i-m-a-music-fan-first-and-foremost-i-can_229431.jpg)

> [I'm very proud of the album I made with Adrenaline Mob, and I think that there was really a great chemistry there;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-very-proud-of-the-album-i-made-with-adrenaline-mob-and-i-think/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Adrenaline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adrenaline/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a9/mike-portnoy-5256_adrenaline_i-m-very-proud-of-the-album-i-made-with_737785.jpg)

> [With Dream Theater, every creative aspect of the group went through me. I oversaw it all from top to bottom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-dream-theater-every-creative-aspect-of-the-group-went-through-me/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d3f/mike-portnoy-5256_creative_with-dream-theater-every-creative-aspect_685772.jpg)

> [I've known Russell Allen for over a decade now, and I've always thought he was a very underrated singer. He has one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-ve-known-russell-allen-for-over-a-decade-now-and-i-ve-always/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/mike-portnoy-5256_always_i-ve-known-russell-allen-for-over-a-deca_1226982.jpg)

> [To me, a great drummer isn't always about somebody with chops who can shred. A great drummer is someone who is part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/to-me-a-great-drummer-isn-t-always-about-somebody-with-chops-who-can/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9b/mike-portnoy-5256_always_to-me-a-great-drummer-isn-t-always-about_2837792.jpg)

> [People always say to me, 'Well, how can a marriage last when you're away as much as you are?' And I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/people-always-say-to-me-well-how-can-a-marriage-last-when-you-re-away/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/mike-portnoy-5256_heart_people-always-say-to-me-well-how-can-a-m_1942570.jpg)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/when-you-re-making-this-kind-of-music-you-don-t-need-a-producer-if/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/858/mike-portnoy-5256_good_when-you-re-making-this-kind-of-music-yo_1770041.jpg)

> [To me, the most important tool is not a physical or a technical one. It's more of a cerebral one. It's your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/to-me-the-most-important-tool-is-not-a-physical-or-a-technical-one-it/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b16/mike-portnoy-5256_brain_to-me-the-most-important-tool-is-not-a-p_1241437.jpg)

> [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5db/mike-portnoy-5256_break_one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-af_66333.jpg)

> [I don't like when I see bands that are just a memory of what they used to be, and there's a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-like-when-i-see-bands-that-are-just-a-memory-of-what-they/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/band/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/mike-portnoy-5256_band_i-don-t-like-when-i-see-bands-that-are-j_2153732.jpg)

> [The reality is, when I'm sitting in a hotel room at 3 in the morning, and I see something on the Internet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/the-reality-is-when-i-m-sitting-in-a-hotel-room-at-3-in-the-morning/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Band](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/band/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/mike-portnoy-5256_band_the-reality-is-when-i-m-sitting-in-a-hot_1422626.jpg)

> [I remember waking up Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, to my wife telling me to put on the TV because I wasn't going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-remember-waking-up-tuesday-september-11th-2001-to-my-wife-telling/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Dream theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-theater/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98a/mike-portnoy-5256_dream-theater_i-remember-waking-up-tuesday-september-1_1015137.jpg)

> [When I first came out with the Winery Dogs, I had a Bonham set-up. That was such a departure from the huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/when-i-first-came-out-with-the-winery-dogs-i-had-a-bonham-set-up-that/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Become](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/become/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/mike-portnoy-5256_become_when-i-first-came-out-with-the-winery-do_1613013.jpg)

> [Some of my heroes are John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, Ringo Starr, Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford... The list goes on and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/some-of-my-heroes-are-john-bonham-keith-moon-neil-peart-ringo-starr/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroes/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/mike-portnoy-5256_heroes_some-of-my-heroes-are-john-bonham-keith_2268407.jpg)

> [I don't care about technique. I have kind of been pigeonholed as a technical drummer since I was in Dream Theater for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-care-about-technique-i-have-kind-of-been-pigeonholed-as-a/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Don-t-care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-t-care/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd4/mike-portnoy-5256_don-t-care_i-don-t-care-about-technique-i-have-kind_1307769.jpg)

> [I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-could-be-just-as-happy-playing-a-beatles-song-as-i-am-when-i-m/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Adrenaline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adrenaline/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a17/mike-portnoy-5256_adrenaline_i-could-be-just-as-happy-playing-a-beatl_395164.jpg)

> [There's been a lot of crossing paths with the Yes camp over the years for me. The first one was when Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/there-s-been-a-lot-of-crossing-paths-with-the-yes-camp-over-the-years/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b21/mike-portnoy-5256_dream_there-s-been-a-lot-of-crossing-paths-wit_1654745.jpg)

> [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/mike-portnoy-5256_always_i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and_415049.jpg)

> [You can put me in front of any kit, and it is a fun thing to have to adapt. It inspires me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/you-can-put-me-in-front-of-any-kit-and-it-is-a-fun-thing-to-have-to/)

[Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/)

[Adapt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adapt/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/deb/mike-portnoy-5256_adapt_you-can-put-me-in-front-of-any-kit-and-i_481480.jpg)

## Mike Portnoy by topic

[Song (26)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/mike-portnoy/) [Dream theater (26)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-theater/mike-portnoy/) [Music (18)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/mike-portnoy/) [Dream (15)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/mike-portnoy/) [Band (14)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/band/mike-portnoy/) [Drummer (11)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drummer/mike-portnoy/) [Always (11)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/mike-portnoy/) [Dreams (10)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/mike-portnoy/)

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                        "text": "I've known Russell Allen for over a decade now, and I've always thought he was a very underrated singer. He has one of the best voices in the business I've ever heard.",
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                        "text": "People always say to me, 'Well, how can a marriage last when you're away as much as you are?' And I always say, 'Well, absence makes the heart grow fonder.' That time apart from each other has actually strengthened our relationship.",
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                        "text": "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 singles, then yeah, but if you're writing 20-minute prog epics, as long as you know how to make it sound good, and you have a good mixer, that's all you need.",
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                        "text": "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.",
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                        "text": "One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone was like, 'We thought you wanted a break.' And it was like, well, I didn't want a break from making music; I just needed a break from the Dream Theater camp.",
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                        "text": "I don't like when I see bands that are just a memory of what they used to be, and there's a few out there that I've seen recently that are still touring... I'm not gonna name them, but some of the members can barely play their parts, and then they have a lot of other members that weren't even originally in the band.",
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                        "text": "The reality is, when I'm sitting in a hotel room at 3 in the morning, and I see something on the Internet that interests me in the form of a band I want to hear, I like the ability to just go online to iTunes and download it immediately.",
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                        "text": "I remember waking up Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, to my wife telling me to put on the TV because I wasn't going to be going into N.Y.C. as planned. Dream Theater was working in N.Y.C. at the time mixing our album 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence,' and I would've been driving in that afternoon for our session.",
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                        "text": "When I first came out with the Winery Dogs, I had a Bonham set-up. That was such a departure from the huge kits that I had become known for. It was really enjoyable.",
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                        "text": "Some of my heroes are John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, Ringo Starr, Terry Bozzio, Bill Bruford... The list goes on and on and on.",
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                        "text": "I don't care about technique. I have kind of been pigeonholed as a technical drummer since I was in Dream Theater for all those years, but it's actually very far from the truth.",
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                        "text": "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.",
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                        "text": "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.",
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                        "text": "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 Theater! I get asked about it.",
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                        "text": "You can put me in front of any kit, and it is a fun thing to have to adapt. It inspires me to try different things. I like that.",
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