Mike Portnoy

Mike Portnoy was born April 20, 1967 and raised in Long Beach, New York, where his interest in music began at an early stageages. "My father was a roll of hockey hard rock 'n, so it was always surrounded by music constantly.

I had this big pot collection when I was young and I love the Beatles and Kiss later. It was inevitable that I am a musician. "

Although Mike learned to play drums, he did take music theory classes in high school. At that time, was began playing in local bands Intruder, promotion and Inner Sanctum, the last released his album.

Mike has left the group after receiving a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston to participate. An avid collector of many things, Mike has a wide range of Dream Theater memorabilia including bootlegs, posters, clippings and everything else under the sun with the group name.

It is also responsible for capturing everything the band is the cassette and DAT. His extensive video collection includes favorite films such as 2001, Clockwork Orange, Jacob's Ladder, and

Wall 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 favorite drummers Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, Simon Philips, John Bonham and Keith Moon and bands like The Beatles, Queen, Yes,

Metallica, Jellyfish, Iron Maidon, U2 and Jane's Addiction. It is also a fan of rap music. Mike and his wife Marlene live in Rockland, New York with her daughter Melody Ruth Andrew, the new son Max John, Bongo dogs and cats and ET

Cypress.

Mike uses Tama Starclassic drums, Sabian cymbals, Remo, Drum Workshop pedals, Pro-Mark drumsticks and Latin percussion.

Source :  http://mportnoy.tripod.com/