The Mike Portnoy Appreciation/Discussion Thread (merged)

[Adami]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

All I can say is that right now, during COVID19, MP better wash up as often as possible!

[The Walrus]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Whole bunch of other comments implying what I said, too. There's almost no enthusiasm for this project here. I like his playing, but he's chosen to spread himself thinner than single ply toilet paper instead of picking one home base group to put blood, sweat, and tears into. I really think people are burned out on MP. I really don't think MP can be called "one of the most relevant drummers" currently, just an honest observation. Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

He can still play like mad. I just want to hear something inspired from him after all these years.

[hefdaddy42]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Whole bunch of other comments implying what I said, too. There's almost no enthusiasm for this project here. I like his playing, but he's chosen to spread himself thinner than single ply toilet paper instead of picking one home base group to put blood, sweat, and tears into. I really think people are burned out on MP. I really don't think MP can be called "one of the most relevant drummers" currently, just an honest observation. Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

He can still play like mad. I just want to hear something inspired from him after all these years.

I agree.  I love him, but I'm not sure "relevant" is the best way to describe him at this point in his career.

[Adami]

MP has a legacy that will always make him at least...I guess semi relevant. But only his legacy right now. As an active drummer, he's hardly relevant.

[Architeuthis]

I love what he's done with SOA and TNMB,  but I haven't been following his other projects. But man, the dude can play anything under the sun and has a lot of heart!

[hefdaddy42]

I love what he's done with SOA and TNMB,  but I haven't been following his other projects. But man, the dude can play anything under the sun and has a lot of heart!

Unfortunately, he also has a lot of mouth.

[Grappler]

I think I'll only like this new project if they really thrash these classic songs up and turn them into something else.  You have Blitz and Phil Demmel in the band - they better not be doing straight up covers of these songs just with heavier sounding guitars. 

Re-arrange them a bit and make them rip, then that will get my interest.  Here's to hoping it 

[cramx3]

MP has a legacy that will always make him at least...I guess semi relevant. But only his legacy right now. As an active drummer, he's hardly relevant.

Yea, he's still pretty relevant but not so much based on what he's currently doing.  He makes metal headlines constantly and often for things he says, not so much because of his latest music.  That's kind of how I see him now.  He's a big name in the metal world, but besides his base fans, he really isn't relevant to the general metal community for creating new and interesting music at this point.

[gzarruk]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Relevant? I would say prolific, definitely, but not really relevant anymore. Leaving DT was his biggest mistake and he's failed to create something quite as good (or big) to call him relevant in the scene, at least for the past decade.

(Again, all of this IMO)

[Mladen]

Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

I am confident Neal Morse has a fanbase that couldn't care less if Mike plays on his stuff or not. Yes, Mike did help putting Neal on a map, but whoever discovered Neal because of Mike didn't stay for Mike.

[Architeuthis]

I wouldn't like TNMB as much without Mike. 

[The Walrus]

Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

I am confident Neal Morse has a fanbase that couldn't care less if Mike plays on his stuff or not. Yes, Mike did help putting Neal on a map, but whoever discovered Neal because of Mike didn't stay for Mike.

I think there's quite a bit of overlap between the two, but I agree. Either way, don't take my comment too seriously, I think NM's music is tremendously awful.  Winery Dogs is where MP's post-DT sweet spot is for my taste personally, but most of that is because of Richie.

[Architeuthis]

I bought the first Winery Dogs album and I couldn't get into it because of Richie..

[cramx3]

Richie is definitely the glu and the reason behind TWD being so damn good.  I just wished Richie viewed that band more importantly than his solo.  So much more potential with TWD than anything else MP has done since DT IMO.

[MarkFitDT]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Sorry to nitpick but it isn't the APPRECIATION thread - its the APPRECIATION/DISCUSSION thread which should allow some constructive criticism if people feel the need.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Richie is definitely the glu and the reason behind TWD being so damn good.  I just wished Richie viewed that band more importantly than his solo.  So much more potential with TWD than anything else MP has done since DT IMO.

I feel the same way, and I remember when the band came out and MP said "this is now my 'main' band". For all intents and purposes, I believe he had the intention of it being that way, but after two albums, Richie decided to spend some time in his solo career. This is speculation on my part, but I believe SOA only happened because Richie did not want to do a third TWD album straight after the Hot Streak tour.

[cramx3]

Richie is definitely the glu and the reason behind TWD being so damn good.  I just wished Richie viewed that band more importantly than his solo.  So much more potential with TWD than anything else MP has done since DT IMO.

I feel the same way, and I remember when the band came out and MP said "this is now my 'main' band". For all intents and purposes, I believe he had the intention of it being that way, but after two albums, Richie decided to spend some time in his solo career. This is speculation on my part, but I believe SOA only happened because Richie did not want to do a third TWD album straight after the Hot Streak tour.

That's definitely the way I see it as well. 

[Stadler]

I don't know if "relevant" is really the right word...  that implies that he has a statement to make.   I'm not sure that's true at this point; rather, I view him as a catalyst or a vehicle for a bigger statement by others or a group.

I certainly do not share the opinion that he's retreading his drumming; there are still MP songs that I listen to just for the drums, and there's only a handful of drummers about whom I can say that.

As for TWD, I don't share that either - it's good not great - but seriously, did no one see that coming?  Richie hasn't done ANYTHING for more more than an album cycle or two, and boom.  Poison, two.  Greg Howe, two.  Mr. Big, two (studio).   I'm no Nostradamus, but I saw that coming a mile away. 

[emtee]

I was moved after watching MP's recent interview, to the point that
I made a commitment to seek the positive aspects in his projects. Actually,
not only his but on a wider scale--to look for the good in people and not the
bad/negative. So as I said earlier, if he's happy, that's all that matters. Having
said that, I'm not going to buy it and I'm surprised any label could make a
profit on this project.

I truly miss listening to music from Mike that moves me but I have all those
great DT albums, TA albums, Testimony and One (both in my top 50) so if he
never again creates something spectacular, he's still my favorite drummer
of all time.

[cramx3]

I don't know if "relevant" is really the right word...  that implies that he has a statement to make.   I'm not sure that's true at this point; rather, I view him as a catalyst or a vehicle for a bigger statement by others or a group.

I certainly do not share the opinion that he's retreading his drumming; there are still MP songs that I listen to just for the drums, and there's only a handful of drummers about whom I can say that.

As for TWD, I don't share that either - it's good not great - but seriously, did no one see that coming?  Richie hasn't done ANYTHING for more more than an album cycle or two, and boom.  Poison, two.  Greg Howe, two.  Mr. Big, two (studio).   I'm no Nostradamus, but I saw that coming a mile away.

Funny timing, this was news today https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richie-kotzen-on-the-winery-dogs-if-i-was-betting-i-would-say-theres-gonna-be-a-third-album-in-the-foreseeable-future/ 

[ytserush]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Whole bunch of other comments implying what I said, too. There's almost no enthusiasm for this project here. I like his playing, but he's chosen to spread himself thinner than single ply toilet paper instead of picking one home base group to put blood, sweat, and tears into. I really think people are burned out on MP. I really don't think MP can be called "one of the most relevant drummers" currently, just an honest observation. Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

He can still play like mad. I just want to hear something inspired from him after all these years.

Only speaking for myself here, but my comments don't imply that at all.
That I don't like his choice of music and/or bandmates is completely on me, not him.

[TAC]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Whole bunch of other comments implying what I said, too. There's almost no enthusiasm for this project here. I like his playing, but he's chosen to spread himself thinner than single ply toilet paper instead of picking one home base group to put blood, sweat, and tears into. I really think people are burned out on MP. I really don't think MP can be called "one of the most relevant drummers" currently, just an honest observation. Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

He can still play like mad. I just want to hear something inspired from him after all these years.

Only speaking for myself here, but my comments don't imply that at all.
That I don't like his choice of music and/or bandmates is completely on me, not him.

I wouldn't call MP washed up at all. But for me, he has gone from my most paid attention to musician to most irrelevant musician.

[ytserush]

Richie is definitely the glu and the reason behind TWD being so damn good.  I just wished Richie viewed that band more importantly than his solo.  So much more potential with TWD than anything else MP has done since DT IMO.

Richie was the X Factor for me. I like his work in the Winery Dogs (and live) enough that I bought his Inner Galactic Fusion Experience which isn't bad. Probably won't go much farther than that, but I like his work with the Winery Dogs.

[ytserush]

Richie is definitely the glu and the reason behind TWD being so damn good.  I just wished Richie viewed that band more importantly than his solo.  So much more potential with TWD than anything else MP has done since DT IMO.

I feel the same way, and I remember when the band came out and MP said "this is now my 'main' band". For all intents and purposes, I believe he had the intention of it being that way, but after two albums, Richie decided to spend some time in his solo career. This is speculation on my part, but I believe SOA only happened because Richie did not want to do a third TWD album straight after the Hot Streak tour.

That's definitely the way I see it as well.

Seems plausible. Mike's not one to be waiting around long for something to happen. Carpe Diem and all that.

[ytserush]

I don't know if "relevant" is really the right word...  that implies that he has a statement to make.   I'm not sure that's true at this point; rather, I view him as a catalyst or a vehicle for a bigger statement by others or a group.

I certainly do not share the opinion that he's retreading his drumming; there are still MP songs that I listen to just for the drums, and there's only a handful of drummers about whom I can say that.

As for TWD, I don't share that either - it's good not great - but seriously, did no one see that coming?  Richie hasn't done ANYTHING for more more than an album cycle or two, and boom.  Poison, two.  Greg Howe, two.  Mr. Big, two (studio).   I'm no Nostradamus, but I saw that coming a mile away.

Didn't know Richie (Still don't really) but I thought Winery Dogs would last about 5 years before something else happened.  The hiatus thing is a bit different because it doesn't seem like the band is totally done but I suppose we'll see what happens.

[ytserush]

MP is washed up.

Remember, this is the Mike Portnoy APPRECIATION thread.  And NO,  he is not washed up in any way. If anything MP is one of the most relevant drummers out there.. 

Whole bunch of other comments implying what I said, too. There's almost no enthusiasm for this project here. I like his playing, but he's chosen to spread himself thinner than single ply toilet paper instead of picking one home base group to put blood, sweat, and tears into. I really think people are burned out on MP. I really don't think MP can be called "one of the most relevant drummers" currently, just an honest observation. Nobody cares about Sons or NM or FC or MA or BDSM or whatever besides his "base."

He can still play like mad. I just want to hear something inspired from him after all these years.

Only speaking for myself here, but my comments don't imply that at all.
That I don't like his choice of music and/or bandmates is completely on me, not him.

I wouldn't call MP washed up at all. But for me, he has gone from my most paid attention to musician to most irrelevant musician.

Fair.

I imagine that many people pay attention to him on social media, but I'm not among them. I guess that's a much bigger philosophical question.

[TAC]

I don't have social media.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I don't know if "relevant" is really the right word...  that implies that he has a statement to make.   I'm not sure that's true at this point; rather, I view him as a catalyst or a vehicle for a bigger statement by others or a group.

I certainly do not share the opinion that he's retreading his drumming; there are still MP songs that I listen to just for the drums, and there's only a handful of drummers about whom I can say that.

As for TWD, I don't share that either - it's good not great - but seriously, did no one see that coming?  Richie hasn't done ANYTHING for more more than an album cycle or two, and boom.  Poison, two.  Greg Howe, two.  Mr. Big, two (studio).   I'm no Nostradamus, but I saw that coming a mile away.

Funny timing, this was news today https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richie-kotzen-on-the-winery-dogs-if-i-was-betting-i-would-say-theres-gonna-be-a-third-album-in-the-foreseeable-future/

Wow, they mentioned my interview with MP again in this article.

[cramx3]

Rodrigo is all over the metal news world these days 

MP retweeted me last night  https://twitter.com/Cramx3/status/1245507020544933893

[ProfessorPeart]

Rodrigo is all over the metal news world these days 

MP retweeted me last night  https://twitter.com/Cramx3/status/1245507020544933893

Came here to post that. Had to do a double-take when I saw your name. Pretty cool!

[425]

I wouldn't like TNMB as much without Mike. 

I wouldn't either, but I'd also absolutely still follow them closely. I'd follow Neal closely if he was writing prog albums with just a set of randos as the backing band, and I've come to really appreciate Eric Gillette and Bill Hubauer in their own right.

Outside of NMB and Transatlantic (where especially Neal and also other musicians like Eric, Bill and Roine generate a big portion of the interest for me), I share the sentiments that many are expressing about MP at this point. I hate to say it, because Mike is my all-time favorite drummer. But out of what feels like dozens of projects from the last 10 years, there's just not anything I'm particularly interested in. Not even Flying Colors really does a whole lot for me.

The plausible outcome I'd like most is to see at this point is for NMB to become the full-on "main" band for Mike and Neal. It would be beneficial to the other guys, who don't have a half dozen other projects on the side, and I think it's easily the most fruitful venue for both of them. I imagine this won't happen, in part because Mike feels the need to have a "metal" outlet, but the thing is, this whole "let me get together with some other veteran journeymen and toss out an album" thing does not really seem to be working. What I'd like to see him do at minimum is establish a long-term band with some metal musicians with strong songwriting skills, even if they aren't well-known (pretty much exactly what Neal did by bringing in Eric and Bill, who were complete nobodies, by the way), and put serious time into it—like, 45% of his time, with NMB at another 45% and TA/FC at 5% each. But I doubt this will happen, because he just doesn't seem interested in reducing the number of projects to give each one more focus, and because he seems more interested in making "supergroups" with semi-famous names and long-time friends of his than in putting together a strong, cohesive band.

[ytserush]

I don't have social media.

Nor do I, but maybe there's some perceptible relevance we're not getting. Or maybe there isn't.

[MinistroRaven]

BPMD

Tracklist:
1. Wang Dang Sweet Poontang
2. Toys in the Attic
3. Evil
4. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
5. Saturday Night Special
6. Tattoo Vampire
7. D.O.A.
8. Walk Away
9. Never in My Life
10. We're an American Band

"American Made" will be available in the following formats:

1-CD Jewel Case
1-LP Gatefold Black
1-LP Gatefold Red/White/Blue Splatter (NPR Mailorder exclusive)
American Made T-Shirt + Jewel Case Bundle (NPR Mailorder exclusive)
American Made T-Shirt + Vinyl Black Bundle (NPR Mailorder exclusive / North America ONLY)
American Made T-Shirt + Vinyl Red/White/Blue Splatter Bundle (NPR Mailorder exclusive / North America ONLY)
Digital Album

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/bpmd-release-music-video-for-cover-of-aerosmiths-toys-in-the-attic

[MinistroRaven]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvoqtNeQ5uQ&feature=emb_logo

[Adami]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvoqtNeQ5uQ&feature=emb_logo

wow. That was pretty bad.

Hope others dig it, but this is a hard pass for me.