Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy is the acclaimed drummer of Dream Theater as well as various side-projects such as Liquid Tension Experiment, TransAtlantic, O.S.I. and tribute bands such as Yellow Matter Custard, Hammer Of The Gods, Amazing Journey and Cygnus & The Sea Monsters.

Mike's long list of Awards include 24 Modern Drummer Magazine Reader's Poll Awards including: 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee, Best Progressive Rock Drummer (12 years in a row!!), Best Clinician (twice), Best Educational Video/DVD for Liquid Drum Theater, and Best Recorded Performance of the Year (6 times) for Dream Theater's Awake, A Change of Seasons, Falling Into Infinity, Scenes From A Memory, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Score.

This web site brings you a multitude of information, resources, and multimedia regarding the bands, the fans, and the music, and of course personal input and insight from Mike himself.

Use the Forum and Live Chat to interact with other fans, and the News Forum for all the latest news. Check the Concert and Clinic sections for all the latest dates, the Discography section for release details and purchases, the multimedia sections for sampling and sheer entertainment, and the MP Store for exclusive Mike Portnoy merchandise. EXPLORE the site - the more you look the more you'll find!

Biograph

Mike Portnoy was born on April 20, 1967 and raised in Long Beach, New York, where his interest in music started at an early age. "My father was a rock n' roll disc jockey, so I was always surrounded by music constantly. I had this huge record collection when I was real young and loved the Beatles and then later on Kiss. It was inevitable that I'd become a musician."

Although Mike taught himself how to play the drums, he did take music theory classes in high school. During that time he began playing in local bands Intruder, Rising Power and Inner Sanctum, the latter of which released their own album. Mike left the band after being awarded a scholarship to attend Berklee Music College in Boston.

An avid collector of many things, Mike has a vast array of Dream Theater memorabilia including bootlegs, posters, clippings and everything else under the sun with the band's name on it. He is also responsible for capturing everything the band does on video tape and DAT. His huge video collection includes favorite films as 2001, A Clockwork Orange, Jacob's Ladder and The Wall along with episodes of The Simpsons and memorable boxing matches.

Mike says his biggest influences are Rush drummer Neil Peart and the late Frank Zappa. Other favorites include drummers Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, Simon Philips, John Bonham and Keith Moon and bands such as The Beatles, Queen, Yes, Metallica, Jellyfish, Iron Maiden, U2 and Jane's Addiction. He is also a fan of rap music.

Drumset: Tama StarClassic Mirage Crystal Ice

A. 433mm Octoban
B. 472mm Octoban
C. 536mm Octoban
D. 600mm Octoban
E. 8x8 tom
F. 9x10 tom
G. 10x12 tom
H. 5½x14 tom
I. 16x16 floor tom
J. 5½x14 Melody Master snare
K. 18x22 bass drum
L. 18x22 bass drum
M. 536mm Octoban
N. 600 mm Octoban
O. 5x13 single headed tom
P. 14.14 floor tom
Q. 16x16 floor tom
R. 14x20 gong drum
S. 5x12 Melody Master snare
T. 18x20 bass drum

Accessories: LP, Roland, Tama:

aa. LP 515 Studio bar chimes
bb. Roland PD-8 trigger pad
cc. LP mountable Cyclops tambourine
dd. Pro-Mark JSBG stick bag
ee. Buttkicker Concert seat subwoofers
ff. Tama HT430 Round Rider throne

Cymbals: Sabian

1. 14" AAX Stage hats
2. 14" extra thin crash
3. 18" HHX Chinese
4. 18" HHX Studio crash
5. 8" Max Stax
6. 7" Max Stax
7. 9" Max Stax
8. 10" Max Stax
9. 7" Radia Bell
10. 18" AA medium thin crash
11. 20" HHX Chinese
12. 22" HH Rock ride
13. 19" Fierce Crash
14. 14" Max Stax
15. medium propeller
16. 13" HHX Stage hats
17. small propeller
18. 9" Max Splash
19. 16" HHXtreme crash
20. 20" AA El Sabor ride
21. 18" AAX Stage crash
22. 10" Max Splash
23. 11" Max Splash hi-hats
24. LP mountable cowbell
25. LP Rock Ridge Rider cowbell
26. 20" AA Chinese
27. 8" Radia flat bell
28. large propeller
29. 28" Zodiac gong (not shown, behind kit)
30. Roland Rhythm Coach (cowbell)
31. drink table holding one cup of blue sports drink and one bottle of water

Hardware: Tama, including Iron Cobra Rolling Glide bass drum pedals, all cymbals locked on with clear Slicknuts.

Heads: Remo CS (black dot) on snare batter, Ambassador snare-side, clear Emperors on tops of toms, clear Ambassadors on bottoms, Powerstroke 3 on kick batters with clear Emperors on front (with silver 6" holes).

Sticks: Pro-Mark MP420 Millenium II (hickory), MT-3 mallets, Hot Rods

The Albino Monster

Drumset: Tama StarClassic Maples

Cymbals: Sabian

A 14" AAX Stage Hats
B 14" HHX Studio Crash
C 18" HHX Chinese
D Signature Max Stax (high)
E 18" HHX Studio Crash
F 7" Signature Max Splash
G 9" Signature Max Splash
H 18" AA Medium Thin Crash
I Signature Max Stax (mid w/Ice Bell upside-down on top)
J 20" HHX Chinese
K 22" Hand-Hammered Rock Ride
L 13" HHX Groove Hats
M Signature Max Stax (low)
N 22" Hand Hammered Rock Ride
O 11" Signature Max Splash
P 18" AAX Stage Crash
Q 19" Vault Crash
R 20" Hand-Hammered Chinese
S 28" Zodiac Gong

Hardware: Tama 1st Chair thrones, Tama Iron Cobra Rolling Glide Pedals and Hi-Hats. Slick Nut Fastener locks on all cymbals.

Sticks: Pro-Mark 420 model with nylon tip (Mike's signature stick).

Heads: Remo Clear Emperors on tops, Diplomats on bottoms. Coated Ambassadors with Black Dot on Snares. Power Stroke3 on Kicks. Pinstripe on 10" Tymp Tom.

The Siamese Monster

Drumset: Tama StarClassic Maples

1. 2, 18" X 22" Kick Drums
2. 16" X 20" Kick Drum
3. 5.5" X 14" Melody Master Snare (maple)
4. 5" X 12" Melody Master Snare (steel)
5. Octobans: 343mm, 390mm, 443mm, and 472mm
6. 8" X 8" rack tom
7. 9" X 10" rack tom
8. 10" X 12" rack tom
9. 11" X 13" rack tom
10. 10" X 10" rack tom
11. Octobans: 536mm and 600mm
12. 10.25" LP steel Timbalio
13. 16" X 16" floor tom
14. 6" 14" tymp tom
15. 14" X 20" Gong bass drum

Cymbals: Sabian

A 14" HHX Studio Crash
B 18" HHX Chinese
C 18" HHX Studio Crash
D 18" AA Medium Thin Crash
E 20" HHX Chinese
F 19" Hand Hammered Fierce Crash
G 17" Hand Hammered Thin Crash
H 20" Hand Hammered Chinese
I 16" HHXtreme Crash
J 14" AAX Stage Hats
K 7" Max Splash
L 9" Max Splash
M Medium Max Stax with 7" Radia Bell on top
N 22" Hand Hammered Rock Ride
O 13" HHX Groove Hats
P Low Max Stax
Q 12" Ice Bell
R 11" Max Splash
S High Max Stax
T 8" Max Stax (2 combined to make hats)
U Triple Hi-Hat

Hardware: Tama 1st Chair thrones, Tama Iron Cobra Rolling Glide Pedals and Hi-Hats. Slick Nut Fastener locks on all cymbals.

Sticks: Pro-Mark 420 model with nylon tip (Mike's signature stick).

Heads: Remo Clear Emperors on tops, Diplomats on bottoms. Coated Ambassadors with Black Dot on Snares. Power Stroke3 on Kicks. Pinstripe on 10" Tymp Tom.

The Purple Monster

Drumset: Starclassic in custom violet/white/violet finish

A. 51/2x14 snare drum (with custom foot-operated snare strainer)
B. 16x24 bass drum
C. Octoban (model 343)
D. Octoban (model 390)
E. Octoban (model 443)
F. Octoban (model 472)
G. 8x8 tom
H. 8x10 tom
I. 9x12 tom
J. 10x13 tom
K. 14x14 tom
L. 14x20 gong bass
M. Octoban (model 536)
N. Octoban (model 600)
O. 9 1/4" timbalito
P. 10" timbalito
Q. tambourine
R. cowbell (LP Ridge Rider)
S. percussion table

Cymbals: Sabian (all with Brilliant finish)

1. 6" CD Cymbal Disc on top of an 8" CD Cymbal Disc on top of a 10" Bell Disc
2. 18" AA Chinese
3. 8" HH China Kang
4. 14" AAX hi-hats
5. 17" HH thin crash
6. 12" AAX splash
7. 18" AA medium thin crash
8. 8" AAX splash
9. 10" HH China Kang sitting on top of a 10" AAX splash
10. 18" AA medium crash
11. 22" HH rock ride
12. 19" HH medium thin crash
13. 13" AA Rock hi-hats
14. 6" AAX splash on top of a 6" LP Icebell
15. 12" AA mini Chinese on top of a 14" Jack DeJohnette Encore crash
16. 20" HH thin Chinese
17. high-octave crotales
18. 20"x30" Thundersheet

Hardware: Tama StarClassic Maples, including their 1st Chair throne, DW 5000 Accelerator bass drum pedals.

Sticks: Pro-Mark 420 model with nylon tip (Mike's signature stick).

Heads: Remo coated CS on snare batter, clear Pinstripes on toms and bass drum batters, clear Emperors on Octobans and gong drum.

(Mike also has two duplicate setups of this kit. One that was used in Japan, the other in Europe for his performances there. The kit that was used in Japan has a red/white/red finish and the kit that was used in Europe has a green/white/green finish.)

Transatlantic Kit

TamaStarclassic Maple Kit:

16 x 22 Kick Drum
14" x 5.5" Melody Master Snare
12" x 5" Melody Master Snare
8" Rack Tom
10" Rack Tom
12" Rack Tom
14" Floor Tom
16" Floor Tom

Cymbals: Sabian

15" Custom HiHats(Sabian made specifically for the sessions)
7", 9" & 11" MAX Splash
10"/10" Mid MAX STAX
12"/14" Low MAX STAX
6" Radia Bell TB
22" HH Rock Ride
16" AA Medium Crash
17" Crash (can't remember type)
19" HH Thin Crash
20" HH Chinese

Mapex "Awake/ACoS Kit"

• A - 24x16" Kick Drum
• B - 5 1/2x14" Snare
• C - 8x8" Rack Tom
• D - 10x8" Rack Tom
• E - 12x8" Rack Tom
• F - 14x10" Rack Tom
• G - 16x16 Floor Tom
• H - 18x16" Floor Tom
• I - LP 9 1/4" and 10 1/4" Timbalitos
• J - 6" Octobans (various lengths, custom made for MP)
• K - LP Cyclops Mounted Tambourine