Dream Theater's new drummer is MIKE MANGINI

[LinearDrummer]

Originally Posted by Wildoer

To me, being a huge fan of all the other six drummers I'm looking forward A LOT to see behind the scenes footage, their interpretation of the DT songs and hearing them talk about preparations etc.

Me too...I'd rather pay to see this over watching a DT concert.

[DrumEatDrum]

What we know:

Mangini, Derek Roddy, Marco Minnemann, Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Aquiles Priester and Peter Wildoer auditioned.

Derek and Peter comments imply they are not in. So that leaves 5 people in the running.

Dream theater posted January 4th they were in the studio recording with the new drummer, although we know they took a break for NAMM

John Petrucci posted updates in Feb 1st, and March 2nd, and April 6th about writing and recording the new album.

Dream Theater has posted their European tour starts in June.

Per Virgil Donati's FB, he was on tour in Feburary, including dates in Moscow. He also posted a gig in Los Angeles on March 3rd, and additional shows in April.
Hard to be in the studio writing and recording on the East Coast when you're doing gigs in LA and touring in Moscow.
I'd say he's out.

Thomas Lang:
Posted on January 29th he was in the studio with Dan Monti. Also has posted he is hosting boot camps in Mid March, and through out April.
Not entirely out, but he's keeping busy.

Marco Minnemann
Posted European tour dates on his website for February, and a Los Angeles show on March 11. His facebook hasn't been updates in a while.
Looking like he is out.

Aquiles Priester
His website shows he had clinics and/or tour dates booked from mid-January all the way through May, in mostly international locations. Now way he could be in the studio with DT and touring his his own band at the same time.
He's out.

Mike Mangini
Who has not updated his website or facebook since the auditions, and we know stepped down from his job at Berklee right around the time Portnoy left Dream Theater.
So we can not rule him out.

Which leaves the conclusion the it is most likely Mangini, with a small chance of Lang.

Although should be noted that no one has posted they are booked during the time period as the Dream Theater tour, so no one is truly 100% out.

[Swiss Matthias]

Lang has an interview in the newest issue of a German drum magazine, and according
to what he says there he didn't get the job either. Must be Mike M. then. Or... a secretly
auditioning eighth drummer...???

[topgun2021]

http://www.drumsundpercussion.de//fi...abe/index.html

Anyone care to translate?

Pages 14,15, and 16.

[gutenberg]

I'll bet the new drummer is....... Mike Portnoy

[aydee]

...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=AGGZy8kGkAc

...

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by gutenberg

I'll bet the new drummer is....... Mike Portnoy

Not a chance.
.

[Tim Waterson]

No offence to the other drummers Just to be given the chance to audition is a feather in their cap.
MIKE MANGINI would be a perfect fit.He can Groove he can play in any time signature in his sleep he has power to cut through the band and his speed could take them to the next level.

Virgil would be the other of course because he played DT stuff for fun.
Marco would also do well as he really can groove on the odd meter stuff.
Not sure about the rest but they were LUCKY enough to get an audition.
Tim

[Migaluch]

Wow i was surprised to see all these people hating on the video so much haha!

Now that i think about it, the whole thing was overly dramatic and cheesy at times (especially with the voice) and the sad music and black and white shots made it seem like MP had died. Anyways, i just watched it for the great drumming- Mangini was a beast haha.

[Naigewron]

Part 1 of the auditions is up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609JsPFmmI

This one is focusing on Mangini.

[Swiss Matthias]

Thanks for the heads up! Amazing to actually hear John Myung speak in a video :).

[Deltadrummer]

Lesson learned, the first guy gets the gig. I have been on auditions where I was told, you were great, but we had already made up our minds with a guy that auditioned before you.

[DrumEatDrum]

Originally Posted by Deltadrummer

Lesson learned, the first guy gets the gig. I have been on auditions where I was told, you were great, but we had already made up our minds with a guy that auditioned before you.

There is a part of me that wonders why they even held auditions.

The band already had a great relationship with Mangini, and there would be no doubt he could handle the music.

[Naigewron]

I believe Derek touched on it earlier in the thread: They pretty much knew who they wanted anyway. Mangini has been an obvious choice from the beginning, and a good one too. The auditions seemed to be mostly a publicity thing.

The seven guys they chose are definitely amazing drummers. However, there are many others who would be a better fit musically but who wouldn't have brought as much "fame" to the table when it came to making the audition process public as they have done now.

Disclaimer: This is obviously only my take on it, and it's based on the extremely small amount of information that has been made available. I'm probably wrong, but it can be fun to speculate sometimes.

[DTrocks]

Yeah. Looks like it's going to be Mangini that gets the job... But that "In the next episode" thing at the end have changed my mind a bit... James seems to be blown away by Virgil Donati (I think it's him?). Personaly I would prefer Virgil, but it looks like Mangini is the guy they connect with the most on a personal level...

EXCITING! Can't wait for the next episode, if something, this is an awesome publicity stunt. Haha

Well I don't care what anyone says, I can hardly wait for the next episode. This is great entertainment.

[8Mile]

Even if the band knew who they wanted all along, it has to be a good thing for all the other drummers to get the publicity that goes along with this audition, right? Seems to me, anyway.

[MikeM]

Originally Posted by 8Mile

Even if the band knew who they wanted all along, it has to be a good thing for all the other drummers to get the publicity that goes along with this audition, right? Seems to me, anyway.

I agree, that's an excellent point. And perhaps a bit of a smackdown to Portnoy, when they can say, "Hey look, we got 7 completely badass drummers to choose from. So who's holding all the cards now, eh?"

[Swiss Matthias]

Originally Posted by DTrocks

James seems to be blown away by Virgil Donati (I think it's him?).

Who wouldn't be!!! :)

Originally Posted by DTrocks

Personaly I would prefer Virgil

Oh yeah!!

Mangini is a great choice too, though. And probably fitting a bit better actually.

[aydee]

..

SO, does everyone now know its Mangini.


...

[Deltadrummer]

Originally Posted by DrumEatDrum

There is a part of me that wonders why they even held auditions.

The band already had a great relationship with Mangini, and there would be no doubt he could handle the music.

It's all for the theater. THE DREAM THEATER!!!

[LinearDrummer]

Originally Posted by Migaluch

Wow i was surprised to see all these people hating on the video so much haha!

Not me
I think its pretty cool...

[Swiss Matthias]

I think those who complain about all the drama and (dream) theater forget that with those
videos - although nurturing the drama of course - they're revealing quite much and give
insight in the process that's going on (or went on) and that's been hidden before. I think
the guys from DT come off quite cool in the vids.

By the way for those who are still interested in how Mr Mike Portnoy's doing and what he's
being up to, here's a new interview with him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op8IPQ77ad0

[tamadrm]

I think you're all way off base here....Its Chuck Norris..DT will be going in a different musical direction ,and DT featuring Chuck and,will showcase all new interactive stage show on the upcoming tour.

Naaaaaaaaa.I think the replacement is a member of this very forum.????????

Steve B

[shadowlorde]

Originally Posted by gutenberg

I'll bet the new drummer is....... Mike Portnoy

huge publicity stunt? ... its possible

[PQleyR]

Mike Mangini always reminds me of Willy Wonka. He's like the Willy Wonka of drums.

Originally Posted by Wildoer

Hey!

First of all I want to make it very clear as Derek wrote too, there were NO hidden deals or whatever leading up to the auditions. I (and I guess all the other drummers) was treated impeccable! I was very aware of what was coming and there were no new details at the audition.

Second, I have to agree with you Derek again that my wife and myself laughed hard too after getting sked to do the audition!!! It was just surreal to me, ha ha ha... :-D

To me, coming from Sweden and working a normal daytime job, seeing the list with the other six drummers made me laugh even harder. I mean all the other guys are my idols! The best thing with the auditions is that I got in contact with all these amazing drummers and they are the coolest guys ever. :-)

I've made a long diary in swedish with my thoughts, facts etc. leading up to the auditions that will be published in a swedish drumming magazine soon. I'm working on getting this translated into english asap if anyone are interested.

Cheers and Stay Metal!!!
Peter Wildoer

Man, I wouldn't have laughed, I would have cried! My nerves would have definitely gotten to me...just comes to show that you guys are monsters of drumming. My hat goes off to you, Derek and all the other guys who auditioned.

Originally Posted by Wildoer

I can understand to some extent that some people don't like this as they just want to know who the drummer is. But, I do not understand that people get so very upset about it?!

To me, being a huge fan of all the other six drummers I'm looking forward A LOT to see behind the scenes footage, their interpretation of the DT songs and hearing them talk about preparations etc. I'm a drummer nerd and I just love to see drummers perform and talk, especially these amazing guys. So, to me this is all very cool.

Well, that's just me. :-)

Cheers,
Peter

My thoughts exactly!!!

I sure hope that they release full version of the auditions. Peter or Derek, can you guys comment on that? Will any off the audition footage be release in its entirety?

I would love, LOVE to see these seven guys jamming to DOE!!!

[aydee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609J...layer_embedded


....

[Chaos_Inferno]

Originally Posted by aydee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609J...layer_embedded


....

I understand they're trying to give us a look into the process, but this really is just turning into one giant soap opera... I normally defend Dream Theater and Portnoy for all the crap they get when it comes to them being "dramatic" or "pretentious" or whatever it is, but this really is just getting absolutely ridiculous.

Still... once it hit the actual audition part of the video, it left me satisfied.

[Deltadrummer]

Originally Posted by Chaos_Inferno

I understand they're trying to give us a look into the process, but this really is just turning into one giant soap opera... I normally defend Dream Theater and Portnoy for all the crap they get when it comes to them being "dramatic" or "pretentious" or whatever it is, but this really is just getting absolutely ridiculous.

Still... once it hit the actual audition part of the video, it left me satisfied.

I don't see the problem. Mike talks about this in the interview above but the drama is not created by the band but the internet. It is a very straightforward idea. Guy leaves band - band replaces guy, auditions are filmed. Mike has always done a myriad of projects from tribute bands, Liquid Tension Experiment, Transatlantic, Neil Morse albums, he has his foot in a lot of waters. He can't do DT at this time, maybe he's burnt out or just wants to try some other ideas and work with some new people. It's easy to villainize him or the band. But as both Derek and Peter have stated that is just not what is going on. Mike has always been upfront about the fact that although his drumming prowess is idolized by many, it is his many projects that distinguish him.

[aydee]

Originally Posted by Chaos_Inferno

I understand they're trying to give us a look into the process, but this really is just turning into one giant soap opera...

Still... once it hit the actual audition part of the video, it left me satisfied.

We're living in reality tv times, and whats better than a behind-the-scenes teaser along the lines of Donald Trump's 'Apprentice' for the DT fan base? Great marketing strategy, I'd say.

...

[DrumEatDrum]

An article on the business end of the promotion, er, audition...

http://mashable.com/2011/04/21/dream-theater/

One April 21, Dream Theater took to its Facebook Page to let fans know what was going on with the selection process.

The band launched a video Page powered by FanBridge (an artist management tool that recently acquired Damntheradio), that prompts fans to “Like” the Page to unlock content, which is a brief documentary explaining the selection process.

Fans are also asked to submit their emails via Facebook permission, so that they can receive future updates about who the new drummer will be.

We emailed a rep to find about more info about how the campaign will function, and received this response: “The video was made by Roadrunner Records [the band's label] and they’re keeping mum about when the new drummer will be unveiled. The tour dates for July are still on, so they’ll have to announce before then.”

All around, it seems like the band has taken a negative situation and leveraged it to generate buzz for its upcoming 2011 world tour. Not only did the band members (and their label) create content that fans want to see, they positioned it so that fans would have to Fan them on Facebook, and submit their email addresses (email addresses are like band PR gold).

We’re seeing more and more bands using the “Like gate” method on Facebook (hiding content from fans until they “Like” a Page), but this campaign adds another level of intrigue.

[moontheloon]

Originally Posted by Naigewron

Part 1 of the auditions is up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609JsPFmmI

This one is focusing on Mangini.

that was amazing thank you for posting that....

cant wait to hear what Virgil does behind them

[mattsmith]

For those who like to quote that old saw about music not being a competition, take a good look at what's going on here. Yep once you're in the music it's a collective. But you sure better be ready to compete to get into that non competitive collective.

Look, for whatever you want to say about Mangini musical preferences, have you ever seen a more focused competitor? There he was in that hotel room already putting his game face on, determining strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, technique, musicality quotients of each and every band member. Then on top of that he was already seeing himself fitting 100% musically into the equation..not just...This would be a nice home for me...a cool thing etc. It was this amazingly intense focused thing that I've always admired about the guy. Then when that was over he was synthesizing the personal dynamic to give everybody in the band just the right amount of comfort. He even went so far as to consider what would be required to enhance his "first up" audition placement. If that isn't competition I don't know what is.

I was especially taken in by that first hotel face shot where you see him talking himself into having the gig. Then he puts the hat on and doesn't seem to take it off. I'll bet he went to sleep wearing that hat. And before somebody runs over to tell me I shouldn't analyze the personality thing...I think this very publicly released video allows for just that...and with their permission.

I remember that game face of his very well back in the old comp days and I thought it was a kind of psych out thing. Apparently it's also a very beneficial self motivational tool that if observed and respected could help get lot of people through whatever door they chose to enter.

[Pollyanna]

That video is like Top American Prog Metal Drummers Idol :) Mike M's intensity is another universe to the typical laid back Type B jellyfish world I live in. The closest I've seen to this is when they hire executives at work. I try to avoid contact with our execs like the plague and whenever I get hoiked into a meeting with one I'm like "Oh no, I want a peaceful life" haha.

It's hard to imagine the final choice making much of a difference in the end. Whatever happens, one killer player will replace another. Any of those guys would do a great job. The standard Mike M set for starters was amazing - being able to walk into complex arrangements like that and nail them. As one of the guys said, they could have walked into a stadium with him with no rehearsal.

Funny how things go ... one minute they're all serious and lamenting the loss of Mike P. Next minute they're all excited and smiling. No one's irreplaceable - except Moonie :)

[DrumEatDrum]

Originally Posted by Naigewron

Part 1 of the auditions is up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609JsPFmmI

This one is focusing on Mangini.

OK, this longer video is actually pretty cool. It's showing the behind the scenes of what really went on, and Mangini's actual audition.

And like Matt Smith said, the focus and intensity is insane.

That is a million times better video than the shorter American Idol wanna-be video that was posted on the bands Facebook last Thursday.

[aydee]

Anyone know when the next episode is due? Damn, i'm hooked.. its like Survivor all over again

[Naigewron]

Originally Posted by aydee

Anyone know when the next episode is due? Damn, i'm hooked.. its like Survivor all over again

Tomorrow .

[Pachikara-Tharakan]

thread closed. drum on friends!