John Sykes Departs Mike Portnoy Project

Former Whitesnake guitarist and Gibson signature artist John Sykes has pulled out of his planned collaboration with ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy.

MelodicRock.com reports that no official reason has been given for Sykes’ departure, but it is understood that a new guitarist will be brought in to the project, along with a yet-to-be-named bass player.

Portnoy isn’t exactly looking for work at the moment. In addition to his current band Adrenaline Mob, the drummer also is working with guitarist Steve Morse, multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse of Spock’s Beard, Dixie Dregs bass player Dave LaRue and vocalist Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev, Endochine) in a new band called Flying Colors. An album is currently in the recording stage, and is due on March 27.

“This album has bits and pieces of what you’d expect from each of us,” Portnoy said. “The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved.”

Flying Colors has an official website at http://flyingcolorsmusic.com/.

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Former Dream Theater Drummer Mike Portnoy Announces New Band

Not content with being named one of the top drummers of all time by Gibson,com, Dream Theater founding member and drummer for 25 years, Mike Portnoy has given details of his new music project.

The band is called Adrenaline Mob and features Russell Allen from Symphony X on vocals, Mike Orlando from Sonic Stomp and Rich Ward of Fozzy on guitar, alongside bass player Paul DiLeo. The band will make their live debut in New York on Friday, June 24 at The Hiro Ballroom, 16th Street and 9th Avenue.

The Adrenaline Mob are also currently working on a debut album.

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Mike Portnoy Honored to be One of <em>Gibson.com</em>’s Top 10 Drummers

Earlier this week, Gibson.com listed the Top 10 Drummers of All Time to much excitement and debate. Today, ex-Dream Theater member and percussionist extraordinaire Mike Portnoy heard about the list and posted about it on his Facebook page.

“Aww shucks... it’s always an honor for me to be recognized (especially in such great company!) Thanks Gibson.com,” Portnoy posted, along with a link to the story.

A debate broke out on Portnoy’s Facebook page about what earns a drummer a spot in the Top 10. The man himself then weighed in on the discussion.

“Just a follow up thought on that Gibson.com Top 10 Drummers list: I honestly don’t think these polls mean the BEST drummers as much as IMPORTANT or INFLUENCIAL [sic],” he wrote. “So in that case, I do believe (reading some of your comments) guys like Lars Ulrich, Dave Grohl and Ringo Starr do rightly belong on lists like these...

“Regardless, it’s always an honor for me to be recognized in such great company...
Thanks everyone!”

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