Drummer MIKE PORTNOY (ADRENALINE MOB, FLYING COLORS, ex-DREAM THEATER) is featured in a new interview with DRUM! Magazine. An excerpt is available below:

Leaving the band that he had been so closely associated with for so long was a huge risk money-wise. Touring is a lucrative game when you have a rabid fan base, even for a band with modest sales (the band wryly named its 2008 best-of collection Greatest Hit ... And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs). "If you compare Dream Theater to METALLICA and GUNS N' ROSES, yeah, we don't make that kind of money."

But with homes in two states, it's clear he created a comfortable living thanks to a devoted fan base that not only attended shows but would buy merchandise too. "I've seen absolutely ridiculous accusations online where people think I left Dream Theater to make money with AVENGED SEVENFOLD or to make more money doing more commercial music," he says. "That could not be further from the truth. I was very secure with the world I had in Dream Theater and I could have just rode that out and been secure probably the rest of my career. But I walked away from that because music and relationships and inspiration are way more important to me than money."

Besides, his endorsement deals remain fully intact. With few exceptions, it's more effective for gear makers to hitch their brand to a popular band than a middling one, no matter how stellar its drummer. Portnoy is that rare exception. "When I left Dream Theater, every one of those endorsement companies was fully supportive of Mike Portnoy. They weren't in the Dream Theater business, they were in the Mike Portnoy business, and were behind whatever I chose to do."

Go to this location for the complete story.

Portnoy recently issued the following message:

"A message to all of the South American promoters I have worked with in the past: I miss my South American fans! All throughout 2012, I have toured extensively in the US, Europe and Asia but have yet to have any offers to tour in South America. My last three shows in Brazil were as 'Special Guest drummer' (with AVENGED SEVENFOLD in 2010, STONE SOUR in 2011, and FATES WARNING in 2012). I really would like to tour South America with one (or several) of my new bands in 2013 (ADRENALINE MOB, PORTNOY/SHEEHAN/MACALPINE/SHERINIAN, NEAL MORSE, PORTNOY/SHEEHAN/KOTZEN, TRANSATLANTIC or FLYING COLORS). C'mon, step up to the plate and give the great MP fans what they are waiting for (and I too am waiting to play for them again!).

I hope to see you all in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and beyond in 2013 with one (or even several) of my bands!"