Drummer and back-up vocalist for the progressive rock group, Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy was born on April 20, 1967, and raised in Long Beach, New York. He became interested in music at a very young age; Portnoy said it himself, "It was inevitable that I'd become a musician.", and so he taught himself with only the help of music theory classes in high school. Around this time he bagan playing in local bands such as Intruder, Rising Power and Inner Sanctum, which actually released an album! But soon after recieving a scholarship for music, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where then he met the friends whom he would form a bond with that would lead to the arrangement of the progressive metal group known as Dream Theater (UK: Dream Theatre).
Portnoy is well known for his speed and endurance, winning many awards, including the Modern Drummers Award, which he said himself was his dream come true, and that he is living his dream. In many ways, he is better than the well-known Neil Peart of Rush. While Neil Peart is an amazing drummer, he is more the influence in this case, because Mike Portnoy by far surpasses the skills that Neil Peart has ever brought forth. Portnoy is also (or has also been) the drummer in other bands quite similar to that of Dream Theater, such as Liquid Tension Experiment, TransAtlantic, O.S.I. (Office of Strategic Influence), and few more, including a Rush tribute performance. He has not only played along side his fellow Dream Theater members John Petrucci, John Myung, James LaBrie, and Jordan Rudess, (with past member's who've come and gone), but as well as many other musicians in his past, such as Maggie Estep, Kevin Shirley, Doug Oberkircher, and Jay Beckenstein.
Portnoy is well known for his speed and endurance, winning many awards, including the Modern Drummers Award, which he said himself was his dream come true, and that he is living his dream. In many ways, he is better than the well-known Neil Peart of Rush. While Neil Peart is an amazing drummer, he is more the influence in this case, because Mike Portnoy by far surpasses the skills that Neil Peart has ever brought forth. Portnoy is also (or has also been) the drummer in other bands quite similar to that of Dream Theater, such as Liquid Tension Experiment, TransAtlantic, O.S.I. (Office of Strategic Influence), and few more, including a Rush tribute performance. He has not only played along side his fellow Dream Theater members John Petrucci, John Myung, James LaBrie, and Jordan Rudess, (with past member's who've come and gone), but as well as many other musicians in his past, such as Maggie Estep, Kevin Shirley, Doug Oberkircher, and Jay Beckenstein.
"Wow...I really love Mike Portnoy's style of drumming. I mean, not only are his chops most excellent, but look at that bass drum technique! It's like, how could anyone synchronize that many licks with their feet, while still keeping good rhythms going using both wrists? I don't know how he does it, but only one word can fit the description of talent that he holds: Godlike."
by PJ Schweitzer June 11, 2006
Get the Mike Portnoy mug.A disorder in which strongly-felt ethical and altruistic impulses are perpetually warring with extreme sexual longings, often of a perverse nature...
by Ben Finkel October 7, 2005
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by Rukbat June 24, 2021
Get the portnoying mug.Simply put, GOD. Known worldwide amongst drummers for his amazing double-bass grooves and his dynamic style, Mike Portnoy has played for Dream Theater since its beginning. He has also performed with TransAtlantic, OSI, Liquid Tension Experiment, Hammer of the Gods, and others. He's also a great lyricist, and an amazing person.
by Jon De Vogel December 1, 2003
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Many people say that Neil Peart of Rush is a better drummer than he is. Fact is, he isn't. You see, Peart is more influetial on his off-beat drumming skillz, but Portnoy has more skillz period. So Portnoy would be the better drummer, Peart would be the better influence.
Many people say that Neil Peart of Rush is a better drummer than he is. Fact is, he isn't. You see, Peart is more influetial on his off-beat drumming skillz, but Portnoy has more skillz period. So Portnoy would be the better drummer, Peart would be the better influence.
This is like Jimi Hendrix - Yngwie Malmsteen. Doing a battle.
Jimi Hendrix's skillz, although very great, were not quite as good as Yngwie's. He was, however, a great influence to pretty much every other guitarist in the world.
Yngwie Malmsteen, may be one of the most talented guitarists ever to walk this earth. However, he took all his skillz from the greats before him, and expanded on their ideas.
Jimi Hendrix's skillz, although very great, were not quite as good as Yngwie's. He was, however, a great influence to pretty much every other guitarist in the world.
Yngwie Malmsteen, may be one of the most talented guitarists ever to walk this earth. However, he took all his skillz from the greats before him, and expanded on their ideas.
by deldelda July 29, 2004
Get the mike portnoy mug.1) To act over entusiastically
2) To be able to drum extremely well within songs - yet be rubbish at drums solos.
2) To be able to drum extremely well within songs - yet be rubbish at drums solos.
1) When Grandma gave Johnny that jumper for Christmas he acted like a Mike Portnoy
2) He's no Mike Pornoy - he's really good at drum solos.
2) He's no Mike Pornoy - he's really good at drum solos.
by I'm Jack Cooper April 1, 2005
Get the Mike Portnoy mug.I wanted to hold, but I was a pussy. I had Portnoy hands. I sold early to watch my wife’s boyfriends rich uncles take all the profits
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