Detroit-based prog rockers Tiles have announced drummer Max Portnoy of Next To None makes a guest appearance on their upcoming double album Pretending To Run.
 
Guitarist Chris Herin reports:
 
“Max is the son of Mike Portnoy – and clearly the drumming acorn didn’t fall far from the tree!  When I first approached Mike to guest on our album I also asked him if Max might be interested in playing too.  After sending Mike several tunes to consider, he came back with the epic ‘Stonewall’ as his choice and suggested that ‘Fait Accompli’ would be perfect for Max.  I was actually a little surprised since ‘Fait Accompli’ has a straight ahead Badfinger/Supertramp groove.  But Mike knew what he was doing and said it was a chance to take Max out of his complex prog-metal comfort zone and nurture his versatility.  Plus they both really liked the song.  

 
“Max definitely delivered the goods.  He was very well-prepared and totally dialed into the pocket, playing tasty fills in all the right places and moving seamlessly through the meter changes.  But what makes Max’ appearance extra special is he teams up with Mike during the song’s instrumental bridge sections.  It was heart-warming watching the father/son bond at work – especially as they worked out their duet parts.  Many thanks to Max and Mike for their great playing – and for making their Portnoy family debut on Pretending To Run.”
 
Max Portnoy rounds out an impressive list of notable guest musicians on Pretending To Run which includes Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs, Flying Colors, Ex-Dream Theater), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson Band, Miles Davis), Kevin Chown (Chad Smith, Sebastian Bach) and Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree).
 
Pretending To Run is produced and mixed by Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning) and is slated for an early-2016 release.