Dream Theater's Mike Mangini Talks With Moderndrummer Website

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ RoadRunner Records) Mike Mangini is quickly becoming a household name since being announced as the replacement drummer for Dream Theater - beating out such giants as Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Marco Minnemann, Derek Roddy, Aquiles Priester, and Peter Wildoer. Recently he talked with ModernDrummer.com to answer some of the questions fans want to know about the new guy behind the kit. Mike shares what life was like pre-Dream Theater, his recent knee injury, and leaving tour with guitar God Steve Vai to teach at Berklee.

We here at Roadrunner particularly like his confidence when asked about the audition process. Mike simply says "These guys are extremely happy and appreciative of my dedication to my craft and my willingness to do whatever it takes to make Dream Theater the best it can be. And I am so grateful to Mike Portnoy for setting the bar so high in Dream Theater's music. I made a point of playing Mike's parts specifically for the audition because I wanted to put the music first, not my chops first. I love Mike Portnoy and have a deep respect for what he created with Dream Theater. I feel that I am with true musical brothers now. And I don't have to explain myself to anybody from now on." We agree! Portnoy is definitely a tough guy to replace but it looks like Mangini is more than stepping up to the plate.

To read the full interview with detailed descriptions of Mangini's kit and more head over to ModernDrummer.com.