Drummer extraordinaire Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, Metal Allegiance, and more) joined for a deep dive into his roots, influences, and candid thoughts on the ever-evolving music world.
On His Beatles Obsession
MetalgodZradiO: What was the first Beatles song that stuck with you?
Mike Portnoy:
I was never in the Beatles, so I don’t have a “first” Beatles song in that sense. But honestly, that question is impossible for me to answer. From the day I was born, the Beatles were there. I’m a Beatles fanatic from day one.
I was born on April 20, 1967—the day they finished Sgt. Pepper. Six weeks later, it was released. I’m sure I heard it right away. I remember when the White Album and Abbey Road came out. I had a little record player with all the 45s—the green Apple labels and those orange and yellow Capitol singles.
I even saw George Harrison live when I was seven, and Wings on the Wings Over America tour in ’76. So yeah—I’m pretty hardcore.
Favorite Beatles Songs?
It changes day to day. My whole leg is covered in Beatles tattoos! Some days it’s a John day, others it’s a George day… or Paul or Ringo.
If I had to pick a favorite ballad, I'd say In My Life. There’s just something timeless about ’60s soul ballads.
MetalgodZradiO: Are you a ballad guy?
Mike:
Not really—I’m a thrash metal guy! Ballads have fewer drums. They’re nice and can make me cry, but I mainly appreciate them as breathing points in the setlist. I enjoy the rockers more.
On Playing with Dave Lombardo
MetalgodZradiO: We saw you drumming side-by-side with Dave Lombardo at a Metal Allegiance show...
Mike:
Yeah! We had our kits set up next to each other. I played most of the set; Dave did about six or seven songs. He’s amazing—I've been a fan since the early Slayer days. A real pioneer of double bass drumming.
It was a blast. Watching him play those Slayer tracks right next to me? Ridiculous. And yeah—I was air-drumming with him! I’m a great air drummer. Go to a Rush concert with me, and I’m right there in the crowd air-drumming every beat.
The State of the Music Industry (2020)
The internet makes it easier to get your music out there, but harder to make a living from it.
Thank God I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and already have an audience. But for new artists? I can’t imagine starting in this environment.
Social media and streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify are great for exposure—but they don’t pay artists. That's the reality. A lot of talented musicians might never fulfill their potential because they simply can’t survive financially.
Bands now have to find new ways to make money—paid meet-and-greets, exclusive merch, etc. It’s not about being greedy. It’s about making a living.
If you’re an electrician, you don’t work for free. Musicians are no different. I sell drumsticks and drumheads at the merch stand just to help support my family. That’s where the industry is at.
Advice for Young Musicians
Don’t get discouraged. It’s harder than ever, but if you love it—stick with it. Follow your heart. Make the best music you can and put it out there.
You can’t rely on record sales or labels anymore. Take advantage of being able to do it yourself. DIY is the new norm.
Balancing Multiple Projects
My schedule at home is totally different from life on the road. At home, I’m doing interviews, overseeing mixes, checking video cuts, and managing release schedules.
On tour? It’s full throttle. Soundcheck, meet-and-greets, interviews, maybe dinner—maybe a shower—and then the show. People see the concert and think that’s the whole day, but there’s so much that goes into just getting to that moment.
Major Music Cities in 2020
In the U.S., it’s still LA, New York, and Nashville. Those are the hubs—industry folks, venues, musicians. Globally, I’d add London, Paris, and Tokyo to the list.
If you’re a huge band like Slipknot or Korn, you can tour all over. But for newer bands like Sons of Apollo, we had to cherry-pick cities—LA, New York, Chicago, Detroit. You go where the markets are.
Digital vs. In-Person Collaboration
Oh, I 1000% prefer in-person writing and recording. I’ve never been in a band that trades files over email.
The chemistry, the personality, the magic—it happens when you're in the room together. That’s what makes the music special.
Streaming vs. Live Shows
Streaming’s great for access, but it will never replace the energy of a live concert. That vibe, that connection with the audience—you just can’t replicate it on a phone or laptop screen.
With my band Flying Colors, we only did ten shows worldwide. So yeah, we released a live DVD for fans who couldn’t make it. It’s not the same—but it’s better than nothing.
Writing and Guitar Riffs
I don’t learn riffs—I write them. Every band I’m in, we write together. The drums are just as important to the song as the guitars.
Honestly, when I’m writing, I focus more on arrangements, chord progressions, and melodies than drums. The drums come last. I oversee everything else and then sit down and figure out what I’m going to do behind the kit.
Health and Drumming
Being a drummer is physically demanding. Those two hours on stage take a toll.
I’ll be honest—I don’t take care of myself as well as I should, so I’d be a hypocrite to give too much advice. But I do try to warm up, stretch, get massages—whatever I can to keep my body from falling apart.
Mike Portnoy’s honesty about the challenges facing today’s musicians—especially in a digital-first world—is both refreshing and important. Whether you're a Beatles fanatic, a metalhead, or a young musician trying to make your mark, there's something in his story to resonate with.
Catch Sons of Apollo on tour and stream Postmortem wherever you get your music.
Watch the full video interview below.
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