Jeb Wright at Classic Rock Revisited recently caught up with new DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini. An excerpt from the discussion is available below:

Jeb: Here I am talking to the new guy.

Mike: "Yes, I am the new guy. It feels like I have either been here five years, or five minutes."

Jeb: How does it feel to be a member of Dream Theater?

Mike: "It is such a feeling of completeness for me. The way that I set up my drum kit is completely unique and I have never been in a band that understood how I did things. Each of the members of this band understands why I have everything set up the way I do. I feel like a piece of me is complete. It is like when you decide to go to college, you may study business but you end up playing soccer; you just don’t know how it is all going to fit together. I have found a home for all of the craziness of my playing. I’m really a fortunate person."

Jeb: You have played with some great people in the past and had some high profile gigs. But this seems different.

Mike: "It is different because everything is natural. I am talking from the things that I play, to the things that are asked of me, to the food we order, to the way we hang out and talk, and to the philosophies we share. I can’t tell you how comforting it is to be around like-minded people."

Jeb: You filled some big shoes in Dream Theater. Mike was a great player and a fan favorite. Were you nervous?

Mike: "The nerves didn’t get to me. I’ve had approximately 46 auditions in my past and I’ve won every one of them – that includes drum contests. I won from elementary school to State in high school to drum contests to trying out for bands. I think that is because I was the same person through all of them. I worry that someone is out there working harder than me; that makes me put my head down and try harder.

When this situation came up, I was used to dealing with this type of a thing. What made this different was how I fit in. I had been practicing all of these years wondering where I would be able to use all of my skills. I had used most of them in one situation, or another, but I wanted a situation where I could use all of them. I couldn’t imagine not getting in Dream Theater. What was different this time was that I knew I had to get into this band."

Click here for the complete interview.