Bangkok's 'theatre of dreams'

This year though, the band will be without drummer Mike Portnoy. In his place is new Dream Theater recruit Mike Mangini, who’s played with Expreme and Steve Vai. He joins singer James LaBrie, bassist John Myung, guitarist John Petrucci, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess for this Asian tour in support of the new album, “A Dramatic Turn of Events”.

“The change of the drummer from Portnoy to Mangini definitely gives the band a different chemistry but the Dream Theater-esque soundscape still exists. Mangini is a strong studio musician based in New York and I find his drumming techniques interesting,” says Prart Aroonrungsi, guitarist, promoter, founder of Prart Music Group and publisher of Overdrive guitar magazine.

We had a short chat with Jordan Rudess before the band caught the flight to Bangkok.

 

 

Can you tell us something about how you worked together on the new album.

We had a great time working on “Dramatic Turn of Events”. It was a chance to really consider how we wanted to present our group for the future. We thought about who we are as people and what musical elements of Dream Theater were the most important to us to move forward with.

 

A lot of candidates came to the audition for your new drummer. Why did you agree on Mike Mangini?

Mike came to the audition and absolutely did a great job! He played all the audition songs perfectly with a lot of energy and passion. He seemed to be a great fit for our band. He is a powerhouse drummer and a great guy. He also makes us laugh a lot which is important.

 

Dream Theater has been on world tour in support of the album, which has now sold in excess of 10 million records and DVDs worldwide. Can you explain that success?

We feel very lucky as a band to have success playing progressive music that is not really mainstream! We do feel like although Dream Theater's music is very progressive, it also has a lot of melody and heart. These are important factors to us and also important if you want your music to reach the people.

 

Why is it titled “A Dramatic Turn of Events”? What’s that mean?

“The albums lyrics all deal with change on many levels. Emotional, spiritual and religious in nature. So it really is a title that describes the content of all the words.

 

Overall, “A Dramatic Turn of Events” sounds like the band in earlier years, especially with the metal parts and the melodic hooks. I would think it pleases both metal and melody fans.

“That makes sense and we are very happy about that! We did not want to let go of our metal side but we did want to include a lot of melody and harmony.

 

Does Mike [Mangini] get a chance to be creative on the album?

“Mike was not part of the writing process this time, although when he came into to the studio to record his drum parts he definitely added his special touch to all the ideas we had for the music.

 

What are the similarities and the differences in Dream Theater’s concerts in different countries?

“We have a great new show to present. I think it is the best Dream Theater show we have ever had on the road. The lighting and video content and the way it is presented are very unique to this tour. The set lists have also been similar all around the world. These elements remain the same. One of the things that changes is the enormous different in the energy of the audience in all the different countries.

 

What would you like to say to Thai fans about your comeback?

“It's been a while since we were there and the whole band is so excited to come there and present our show to you! It's going to be an awesome event! See you soon!

 

Dream on

Tickets are Bt1,500 available at Thai Ticket Major. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit to www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.