Quotes from Mike Portnoy

My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself.

Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can basically play whatever we want.

I'm a very sentimental guy; I'm a very nostalgic guy.

I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream Theater! I get asked about it.

I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm getting to play with some of my favorite musicians in the world, ranging from Russell Allen to Billy Sheehan to Paul Gilbert to Steve Morse.

When sequencing an album, you kind of have to look at it like you're making a movie with different acts, and you have ebb and flow, peaks and valleys. You want it to feel like a journey or a good movie or book where you can actually feel very satisfied at the ride at the end of it.

I'm very outgoing, an extrovert, a control freak.

When Dream Theater first started, we were touring in a van and playing clubs.

Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite of Adrenaline Mob, which has more classic metal influences like Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Pantera, or Disturbed. They are completely different ends of spectrum.

I think if there's any one band that every member of Sons of Apollo has been influenced by, I think Van Halen is the common ground for all five of us.

You don't have to be a great drummer to be the most important guy in the band.

One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in one band.

I love playing drums and helping out.

A Dream Theater without me was never in the plan; I never expected that.

My time and my legacy with Dream Theater will always be a part of me. It's something I'll always be proud of.

I was always very extroverted and loud.