News Latest News from Ultimate-Guitar.Com. en-US Copyright 1998-2026 Ultimate-Guitar.Com. All rights reserved. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=29911 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:49:54 -0400 Sun, 13 Jun 2021 14:14:54 -0400 60 Ultimate-Guitar.Com https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/static/_img/logo_trans.png https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=29911 144 44 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-cried-dream-theaters-mike-portnoy-on-anika-nilles-playing-neil-pearts-parts-at-rush-comeback-show https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-cried-dream-theaters-mike-portnoy-on-anika-nilles-playing-neil-pearts-parts-at-rush-comeback-show Music News: The Dream Theater icon previously said he was "relieved" by not being selected to participate in Rush's reunion.]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:49:54 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/thats-why-the-evolution-of-drumming-has-taken-off-mike-portnoy-shares-opinion-on-tiktok-drummers-who-do-stuff-he-cant-even-imagine-says-he-is-self-taught https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/thats-why-the-evolution-of-drumming-has-taken-off-mike-portnoy-shares-opinion-on-tiktok-drummers-who-do-stuff-he-cant-even-imagine-says-he-is-self-taught Music News: "I'm very self-taught. I mean, I did go to Berkeley once I graduated, but that was not really for drumming."]]> Sat, 05 Jul 2025 16:02:02 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/if-i-start-thinking-about-it-ill-screw-up-mike-portnoy-says-hes-not-a-technical-drummer-at-all-names-most-important-thing-for-drumming https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/if-i-start-thinking-about-it-ill-screw-up-mike-portnoy-says-hes-not-a-technical-drummer-at-all-names-most-important-thing-for-drumming Music News: "Like, if I'm thinking about what my feet are doing — as soon as I start thinking about that stuff, it freaks me out."]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2025 21:26:23 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-reveals-what-makes-lars-ulrich-so-good-explains-how-metallica-drummer-inspired-him-he-to-me-was-a-role-model https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-reveals-what-makes-lars-ulrich-so-good-explains-how-metallica-drummer-inspired-him-he-to-me-was-a-role-model Music News: "And a lot of people give him a hard time over his technique and everything, but, to me, he was an influence."]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:47:49 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-getting-to-know-what-neil-peart-was-really-like-it-was-hard-to-penetrate-that-bubble https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-getting-to-know-what-neil-peart-was-really-like-it-was-hard-to-penetrate-that-bubble Music News: "I had gotten to know every other drummer on Earth, doing drum festivals and things like that, but Neil was always very elusive."]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 01:37:04 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/everything-about-my-playing-is-unorthodox-and-probably-technically-incorrect-mike-portnoy-on-why-technical-precision-isnt-important-to-him https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/everything-about-my-playing-is-unorthodox-and-probably-technically-incorrect-mike-portnoy-on-why-technical-precision-isnt-important-to-him Music News: "Billy Sheehan once had an expression I loved. He said, 'If you're thinking, you're stinking.'"]]> Sat, 03 May 2025 03:15:32 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-how-playing-in-avenged-sevenfold-affected-him-names-dream-theaters-biggest-collective-influence https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-how-playing-in-avenged-sevenfold-affected-him-names-dream-theaters-biggest-collective-influence Music News: "There were some situations, like Avenged Sevenfold and Twisted Sister, where I was literally just a hired gun."]]> Wed, 05 Mar 2025 03:00:04 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-injuries-sustained-from-his-career-dream-theater-plays-three-hours-its-a-lot-for-the-body-to-take https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-injuries-sustained-from-his-career-dream-theater-plays-three-hours-its-a-lot-for-the-body-to-take Music News: "I'm gonna be 58, and it definitely takes its toll playing a three-hour show of such demanding music."]]> Mon, 24 Feb 2025 22:43:06 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-compares-his-playing-style-to-mike-manginis-im-not-trying-to-insult-him https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike-portnoy-compares-his-playing-style-to-mike-manginis-im-not-trying-to-insult-him Music News: "I think he has the tendency to make something that could be easy sound difficult."]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 23:04:42 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/james-labrie-even-started-crying-mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-emotional-first-show-with-dream-theater-in-14-years https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/james-labrie-even-started-crying-mike-portnoy-opens-up-on-emotional-first-show-with-dream-theater-in-14-years Music News: "It was just such a surreal [experience]."]]> Wed, 05 Feb 2025 03:00:04 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_names_one_of_his_favorite_albums_of_2024_the_brutality_of_opeth_meets_the_beauty_of_pink_floyd.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_names_one_of_his_favorite_albums_of_2024_the_brutality_of_opeth_meets_the_beauty_of_pink_floyd.html Music News: Dream Theater's drummer added that the band has the "greatest logo ever."]]> Thu, 17 Oct 2024 19:21:23 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/we_were_all_fighting_grunge_but_they_carried_the_flag_mike_portnoy_names_band_that_kept_metal_alive_in_the_90s.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/we_were_all_fighting_grunge_but_they_carried_the_flag_mike_portnoy_names_band_that_kept_metal_alive_in_the_90s.html Music News: "By the time I was coming up with Dream Theater in the early '90s, thrash was starting to go away, grunge was killing all of us."]]> Wed, 18 Sep 2024 23:33:22 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_answers_if_he_regrets_leaving_dream_theater_its_all_part_of_the_story.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_answers_if_he_regrets_leaving_dream_theater_its_all_part_of_the_story.html Music News: "Luckily for Dream Theater fans, it's come full circle and it has a very happy ending in the end anyway." ]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:16:00 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/this_is_the_best_album_of_the_21st_century_mike_portnoy_says.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/this_is_the_best_album_of_the_21st_century_mike_portnoy_says.html Music News: "This is the only one to crack my personal top 10 of all time so far."]]> Thu, 20 Jun 2024 17:42:43 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_frank_bello_and_mike_portnoy_perform_in_honor_of_neil_peart_at_bubba_bash.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_frank_bello_and_mike_portnoy_perform_in_honor_of_neil_peart_at_bubba_bash.html Music News: The charity concert has become an annual event celebrating Peart's life and work.]]> Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:24:32 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_addresses_beyoncs_record-breaking_grammy_win_ive_never_heard_a_single_song_of_hers.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_addresses_beyoncs_record-breaking_grammy_win_ive_never_heard_a_single_song_of_hers.html Music News: The singer became the most-awarded artist in Grammy history.]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:00:02 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_on_what_young_musicians_really_need_to_do_its_not_just_about_playing_to_instagram_followers.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_on_what_young_musicians_really_need_to_do_its_not_just_about_playing_to_instagram_followers.html Music News: "Anybody can kind of learn how to make your four limbs do something and do it"]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2023 02:04:13 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/the_winery_dogs_give_an_update_on_their_upcoming_third_album.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/the_winery_dogs_give_an_update_on_their_upcoming_third_album.html Music News: The band confirmed that there are 10 new songs ready for release.]]> Sat, 13 Aug 2022 11:59:40 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_mike_portnoy_and_district_97_pay_tribute_to_taylor_hawkins_with_alannis_morissette_cover.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/watch_mike_portnoy_and_district_97_pay_tribute_to_taylor_hawkins_with_alannis_morissette_cover.html Music News: The musicians took on "You Oughta Know" at this year's Cruise To The Edge.]]> Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:00:02 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_names_favorite_deep_purple_album_explains_how_it_influenced_prog_rock.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_names_favorite_deep_purple_album_explains_how_it_influenced_prog_rock.html Music News: "You could rename this album 'Deep Purple's Greatest Hits'".]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2022 18:59:54 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_names_greatest_prog_album_of_all_time_remembers_what_yes_jon_anderson_was_like_when_they_performed_together.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_names_greatest_prog_album_of_all_time_remembers_what_yes_jon_anderson_was_like_when_they_performed_together.html Music News: "It is everything that prog is all about."]]> Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:27:00 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_explains_why_he_thinks_the_80s_were_a_better_decade_for_metal_than_the_90s.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_explains_why_he_thinks_the_80s_were_a_better_decade_for_metal_than_the_90s.html Music News: "Well, for metal, I would have to say the '80s, 'cause the '90s started to go downhill."]]> Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:41:15 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_addresses_wrong_assumption_people_make_about_his_son_explains_why_he_refused_to_give_him_drum_lessons.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_addresses_wrong_assumption_people_make_about_his_son_explains_why_he_refused_to_give_him_drum_lessons.html Music News: Portnoy also talks about The Winery Dogs, Dream Theater, and more.]]> Thu, 04 Nov 2021 10:46:47 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_shares_honest_opinion_on_lars_ulrich_speaks_on_what_twisted_sister_is_fanatical_about.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_shares_honest_opinion_on_lars_ulrich_speaks_on_what_twisted_sister_is_fanatical_about.html Music News: "I love Ringo [Starr], I love Charlie Watts, I love John Bonham, but Keith had that personality," the drummer said.]]> Sun, 31 Oct 2021 20:49:59 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_speaks_on_joining_rush_as_successor_of_neil_peart_talks_how_the_band_ended.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_speaks_on_joining_rush_as_successor_of_neil_peart_talks_how_the_band_ended.html Music News: "I don't think in a zillion years it will happen," Portnoy said.]]> Mon, 25 Oct 2021 20:42:16 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_speaks_on_how_he_felt_playing_in_avenged_sevenfold_reflects_on_joining_twisted_sister_after_tragedy.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_speaks_on_how_he_felt_playing_in_avenged_sevenfold_reflects_on_joining_twisted_sister_after_tragedy.html Music News: "I was still in Dream Theater at that point," Portnoy said.]]> Mon, 11 Oct 2021 22:54:33 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_says_he_could_play_super-complex_dream_theater_song_while_eating_tuna_sandwich_names_bands_track_he_physically_struggled_with.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_says_he_could_play_super-complex_dream_theater_song_while_eating_tuna_sandwich_names_bands_track_he_physically_struggled_with.html Music News: "I don't have to think about it," the drummer said.]]> Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:11:39 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_explains_how_there_would_be_no_dream_theater_had_his_mother_not_died_in_freak_accident_talks_why_he_had_to_quit_berklee_with_bandmates.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_explains_how_there_would_be_no_dream_theater_had_his_mother_not_died_in_freak_accident_talks_why_he_had_to_quit_berklee_with_bandmates.html Music News: The drummer also calls classic Dream Theater video "horrible."]]> Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:36:02 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_shares_feelings_on_joey_jordison_playing_in_metallica_says_dream_theater_guys_never_heard_metallica_before_him.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_shares_feelings_on_joey_jordison_playing_in_metallica_says_dream_theater_guys_never_heard_metallica_before_him.html Music News: "I was devastated and shocked," Mike said about Joey's death.]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:40:10 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_gifts_drum_set_to_fan_who_couldnt_afford_real_kit__instead_played_dream_theater_music_on_paint_cans__trash_lids.html https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mike_portnoy_gifts_drum_set_to_fan_who_couldnt_afford_real_kit__instead_played_dream_theater_music_on_paint_cans__trash_lids.html Music News: Check out Deden Noy playing "Metropolis Pt. 1."]]> Sun, 13 Jun 2021 14:14:54 -0400