Morristown Patch recently conducted an interview with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini. In the interview Mangini talks about starting a family, the band's new Album A Dramatic Turn Of Events, and more. Excerpts from the interview are below:

If Mike Mangini had not been asked to progressive metal band Dream Theater late last year, what else would he be doing?

He'd still be a college professor, of course.

But instead of serving as associate professor of percussion at the Berklee College of Music–a role he served in Boston for 11 years–Mangini has filled the shoes of Mike Portnoy, one of the founders of the over 20-year-old band, and arguably one of the best active drummers in music. The New England native is well up to the task and will be on display, with the rest of the band, when they perform at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on October 11th.

The band is presently on tour promoting their 11th studio release, A Dramatic Turn of Events, the first with Mangini behind the skins.

Mangini, 48, is no stranger to the road. However, this is the first time in over a decade the drummer has been able to dedicate himself fully to one thing–the band.

"I wanted to make a family," he said, marrying in 2005, the same year he was offered a full-time position with Berklee, where he had been since 2000. "I wasn't able to for one reason or another get that done. Once I moved back home I could be in the area for a long time, I could network. Meet, get married, have children."

Just because he was at home and teaching doesn't mean the drummer stopped drumming. During his tenure at the college, he also worked on numerous projects, including the drums for the band ANNIHILATOR, and on a RUSH tribute album, among other projects. Now, Mangini said he felt he could get back in a full-time band.

With Portnoy's departure from Dream Theater late last year, the timing not be more perfect for Mangini. "I was looking to get in a band," he said. "I had to wait for the right time and opportunity, and it just matched."

Read the entire interview here.

An entry for Roadrunner Record's lyric video contest, for Dream Theater's 'This Is The Life', can be found below:

Dream Theater are currently on the road in support of their new album, A Dramatic Turn Of Events. In a new video the band give us a little taste of life on the road while starting their North American tour. Check it out below:

Dream Theater's North American tour dates include:

October

6 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall *
7 - Montreal, QC - Place des Arts *
8 - Quebec City, QC - Pavilion de la Jeunesse *
10 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre *
11 - Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center *
12 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
15 - Albany, NY - The Palace Theatre (with Periphery)
16 - Philadelphia, PA - Merriam Theatre (with Periphery)
17 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
21 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater
22 - Cleawater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
23 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
25 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater *
26 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall *
27 - Dallas, TX - Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

Shows marked as * feature special guests TRIVIUM

Meet and Greet and VIP packages will be available for all North American tour dates at VIPNation.com.