Have you ever had the priviledge of meeting any of

Taimaishu:

Hi Mike,
Good luck with your next record. Anyway,I dunno if this question has ever been asked before, I haven't seen it asked but I was just wondering if you've ever met any of the drummers that have inspired you over the years: Peart, Bozzio, etc... and if you did, how'd it go? Any cool stories?

And also, I just went to a friends house today and got to play on a Max Stax ( the 10" I believe)which sounds really great and I can't wait to add them to the new kit I'm getting.

See you soon!

David

Hi David,
Yes I have had the awesome fortune of getting to meet, jam with, get to know and in many cases..become good friends with sooo many drummers in the industry that I admire.

The drum community is very close knit and once you get some recognition in it, everybody knows you....
In my case, because of all drum festivals and clinics I do, as well as coverage in all the drum magazines and endorsements, there are many great drummers who may not have even heard Dream Theater's music, but they know who *I* am.....and at first, to me that was so strange but now it is a great compliment...

I don't normally drop names, but since it *is* the question, here's a spontanious list of all the cool drummers I've hung out with or played with throughout the years:

Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Rod Morgenstein, Alan White, Ringo Starr, Steve Smith, Gregg Bissonette, Stephen Perkins, Chad Smith, Virgil Donati, Dennis Chambers, Mike Mangini, Jonathan Mover, Lars Ulrich, Dave Lombardo, Charlie Benante, Paul Bostoph, Vinnie Paul, Nick Menza, Jimmy DeGrasso, Nicko McBrain, John Tempesta, Mickey Dee, Mark Zonder, Nick D'Virgilio, Will Calhoun, Deen Castronova, Eric Singer, Carl Palmer, Ian Paice, Carmine Appice, Taylor Hawkins, Sean Kinney, Tim Alexander, Heracio Hernandez, Van Romaine, etc, etc....anyways, you kinda get the point!

Someday I'll get some pictures of me and all these guys over to DaveH to add to a section in the photo gallery here at the sight...

MP