Drummer -- DT

[MasterCylinder]

No mention on the official website yet, but I'm hearing the new drummer for DREAM THEATER will be this guy...................



German native, Marco Minnemann is looked upon by his peers as one of the most gifted, innovative, cutting-edge drummers on the international music scene today. He has won numerous awards for his educational drum books and videos and was recently featured on the cover of the World’s #1 Drum Magazine, Modern Drummer. Minnemann’s unusual drum kit set up, which includes an array of multiple foot pedals, Gong drum, electronics and unique cymbal configurations, combined with his amazing, extreme interdependence skills has propelled him to superstar status among today’s elite drumming royalty. His total command of four-way independence is unequaled, and his over-the-top drumming creations are simply mind-boggling. He is a total drumming Super-Freak!
Marco’s “Extreme Interdependence” drum instructional book was voted the #1 educational book in several drumming magazines. His “Extreme Drumming” DVD also won several Readers Poll awards and earned Marco the prestigious Telly Award.

Not only is Minnemann a world-class drumming innovator, having brought stunned audiences to their feet at most every major drum festival in the world, but he is also a musical Renaissance man. His eclectic musical skills include composing, producing, and engineering, as well as being a multi-instrumentalist on guitar, bass, keyboards, and vocals. Minnemann has seven multi-faceted solo recordings to his name, along with several outstanding recordings with his former band, Illegal Aliens, and numerous recordings as a sideman and producer, working with such artists as Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa) and European superstar, Nina Hagen.

In 2006, Minnemann was invited to perform on a rare world clinic tour with legendary drummer Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, Brecker Bros.) and drumming great, Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth). His top-selling instructional book, “Maximum Minnemann” was recently voted in the Top Five Best Educational Books in the Modern Drummer 2007 Readers Poll and his most recent DVD, The Marco Show (DW DVD) features riveting performances with artists Mike Keneally (guitar), Bryan Beller (bass) and the legendary Buddy Rich Big Band.

Marco Minnemann continues to redefine drumming and solidify his place in music history with a truly unique voice, and an undisputed talent, as one of the greatest drummers and innovative composers the world has ever witnessed.

Minnemann recently moved to the States and currently resides in San Diego, CA. In April 2007 Marco joined the German metal band, Necrophagist who will headline the 2007 Summer Slaughter tour. He is scheduled to record Necrophagist’s new album set for 2008 release.

Marco Minnemann proudly endorses DW Drums and Hardware, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, ProMark Drumsticks, Audix Microphones, and Roland Electronic Percussion.

Marco Minnemann started playing organ at the age of 6, and then switched to drums and guitar at the same time at the age of 11. Marco’s fame as one of the extraordinarily talented drummers and composers, reached him at the age of 19 all the way to Munich. The first ‘cross-over’ band “Freaky Fukin’ Weirdoz” offered him a position as drummer in 1992, in connection with a major deal with BMG-Ariola. The “Weirdoz” were the originators of so-called ‘cross-over’ music which today, various bands unjustifiably claim as their own.

The “Weirdoz” had a gig with European cult diva, Nina Hagen on the album “Mao Mak Maa” where a fantastic cover version of Ian Dury’s hit “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick” was created. Marco was immediately booked to play the following Nina Hagen tour. The successful collaboration with the “Weirdoz” ended in 1997 after Marco’s having worked together on four albums: “Senseless Wonder”, “Mao Mak Maa”, Culture Shock” and “Hula”.

Almost simultaneously, an engagement with the Top Ten ‘cross-over’ band “H-Blockx” came up on the album “Fly Eyes”. During 1997-1999, they played over 200 gigs together. Meanwhile, Marco’s reputation as a talented drummer reached out worldwide. Prominent were solo workshops, for example, at the Frankfurt Music Fair, PASIC in Dallas, and a solo performance at the prestigious “Modern Drummer Festival” where Marco had the honor of being the first German drummer to perform at this high-profile event. This performance, in the eyes of professionals and music trade magazines, catapulted him into the Top Ten of the drumming world. Following the Modern Drummer Festival were the Australian TUDW ?fest and the Montreal Drum festival in Canada.

While working with the “Weirdoz”, Marco also produced four albums with his own band “Illegal Aliens”, which included “Thickness”, “Red Alibis”, “Time” and “International Telephone”. Since then, Marco has recorded six solo albums: “The Green Mindbomb” “Comfortably Homeless”, “Orchids”, “Broken Orange”, “Mieze” and the 2CD set “Contraire de la chanson”, which are more on par with his talents as a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. “Motor” and “Normalizer” came out in 2003 in collaboration with the sound designer, Mario Brinkmann, and “Disarmed” along with Italian Bass Player, Fabio Trentini followed in 2005.

Moreover, Marco followed his passion for Jazz and Funk by playing with the “Wolfgang Schmid’s Kick” band. Schmid was ex-bassist in Dolinger’s “Passport” and composer of numerous film soundtracks.

Marco also co-produced and played instruments on Paddy Kellys (Kelly family) solo CD, which entered the charts in 2004. He also played on the double-platinum CD “Nena feat. Nena.” Marco has performed and recorded with such varied artists as: Paul Gilbert, Nena, Udo Lindenberg, H-Blockx, Mike Keneally, FFW, Gianna Nannini, Garry Willis, The Kelly Family and many more.

[Finch Platte]

I read a cover blurb on Prog Mag where Mike Portnoy was crushed that they are continuing on without him. WTF!?

Edit: I was actually kinda hoping their new drummer would have been Jason Rullo from Symphony X, but after looking them (SX) up, I see they will be coming out with the followup to Paradise Lost any day now. I'd much rather hear him with Symphony X, so all is right with the world.

[ForeverAutumn]

I read a cover blurb on Prog Mag where Mike Portnoy was crushed that they are continuing on without him. WTF!?

Here's the short version of a long story, as I've heard it.

- Portney told (yes, told) the guys of DT that he needed a break from DT and therefore the whole band was taking a break.
- The rest of the band said, Fuck You. We don't need no stinkin' break. But if you want to leave don't let us hold you back.
- Portnoy and his ego barely made it through the door. He posted on Twitter or his web site or some such place that he was "hurt" that the rest of the band wouldn't put their careers on hold based on his whim.
- DT proceed to audition drummers. Find a drummer. Announce that they have found a drummer, but can't say who until some legal paperwork is taken care of.
- Avenged Sevenfold and Portnoy part ways...I'm not sure why.
- Portnoy asked DT to take him back.
- DT responded through their lawyers, "Um...no thanks".
- Portnoy posts on the internets that he asked DT to take him back and the answer was no. He's hurt that the loud and resounding NO came through lawyers and not the boys themselves.
- Portnoy went home to cry and wonder why The World won't bow to his greatness.
- Meanwhile, The World still awaits official word of who DT's new drummer is, although everyone pretty much knows by now that it's Minneman.

Personally, I was (and am still, since nothing is official) hoping for Mike Mangini.

Symphony X...coming out with the followup to Paradise Lost any day now.

That's very exciting news!!!

[kexodusc]

Here's the short version of a long story, as I've heard it.

- Portney told (yes, told) the guys of DT that he needed a break from DT and therefore the whole band was taking a break.
- The rest of the band said, Fuck You. We don't need no stinkin' break. But if you want to leave don't let us hold you back.
- Portnoy and his ego barely made it through the door. He posted on Twitter or his web site or some such place that he was "hurt" that the rest of the band wouldn't put their careers on hold based on his whim.
- DT proceed to audition drummers. Find a drummer. Announce that they have found a drummer, but can't say who until some legal paperwork is taken care of.
- Avenged Sevenfold and Portnoy part ways...I'm not sure why.
- Portnoy asked DT to take him back.
- DT responded through their lawyers, "Um...no thanks".
- Portnoy posts on the internets that he asked DT to take him back and the answer was no. He's hurt that the loud and resounding NO came through lawyers and not the boys themselves.
- Portnoy went home to cry and wonder why The World won't bow to his greatness.
- Meanwhile, The World still awaits official word of who DT's new drummer is, although everyone pretty much knows by now that it's Minneman.

Personally, I was (and am still, since nothing is official) hoping for Mike Mangini.



That's very exciting news!!!

Why couldn't he just date a 21 year old or buy a sports car and deal with his mid-life crisis like a man?

[Finch Platte]

Why couldn't he just date a 21 year old boy...

That's how I read this the first time. Whew, that was close, Mike!

[kexodusc]

That's how I read this the first time. Whew, that was close, Mike!

When's the new Symphony X coming out?

[ForeverAutumn]

This was posted on PE earlier today...

1/13/11 update from Blabbermouth.net:

Despite rumors to the contrary, BLABBERMOUTH.NET has learned that 40-year-old international drumming sensation Marco Minnemann (KREATOR, NECROPHAGIST) **has NOT** joined DREAM THEATER as the replacement for the recently departed Mike Portnoy.

DREAM THEATER has yet to officially announce its new drummer despite the fact that the band has been rehearsing with one candidate exclusively since last fall. DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci previously stated about the group's drummer search, "Auditions went great and we do have someone but we are spending some time getting everything in order before making an official announcement. Let me just say that we are all incredibly excited about our choice and just bursting at the seams to let the world know!"

I wonder whether there is a legitimate reason for not telling the fans who it is, or whether they're just trying to milk the discussions and articles that this is creating. Not saying who the drummer is is probably giving them more publicity than the actual announcement will.