In this debut episode of The SABIAN Podcast, host Chris Stankee welcomes legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, known worldwide for his work with Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs, and numerous other projects. Recorded inside the SABIAN Factory, the conversation is both a personal reunion and a deep dive into Mike’s career, artistry, and long-standing connection with SABIAN Cymbals.
Mike reflects on his first visit to the SABIAN Factory in 1999, when he helped develop the Max Stax cymbals, named after his son, Max, who was only a few months old at the time. Twenty-five years later, father and son returned together, underscoring the legacy of both family and music. Mike shares his amazement at finding many of the same craftspeople still working at SABIAN, a testament to the company’s culture of loyalty and craftsmanship.
The episode moves through pivotal moments in Mike’s career, from his influential years with Dream Theater to his passion projects across rock, metal, and progressive genres. He offers candid stories about recording, touring, and the evolution of his playing style. Mike also reflects on the drummers who inspired him and how he continues to stay creative after decades in the drumming world.
Listeners gain an intimate look at how Portnoy balances technical mastery with raw emotion, why sound quality and innovation in cymbals matter so deeply to him, and how SABIAN has been part of his musical voice for decades. The conversation blends humor, history, and wisdom, making it essential listening for drummers, musicians, and fans of progressive music alike.
This episode not only celebrates Portnoy’s achievements but also sets the tone for what The SABIAN Podcast aims to deliver: authentic conversations with influential artists, told from inside the world of drums, music, and creativity.
Chapter Markers (~29 min runtime)
00:00 – Intro
00:39 – Family
01:18 – First Factory Visit
02:00 – Max Stax
03:55 – Max Splashes
04:43 – New Designs
05:29 – Max Ride
08:15 – Dream Theater Drum Kit
11:02 – Inspirations
14:04 – Terry Bozzio
15:01 – Neil Peart
17:27 – Max Portnoy
19:03 – New Generation
20:51 – Return to Dream Theater
23:35 – Factory Visit
25:24 – Innovation
26:28 – Loyalty & Relationships
28:31 – Outro
Catch Mike Portnoy on tour with Dream Theater! See dates below:
SEP 10, 2025 - THE BAYCARE SOUND - CLEARWATER, FL
SEP 12, 2025 - HARD ROCK LIVE ORLANDO - ORLANDO, FL
SEP 13, 2025 - COCA-COLA ROXY - ATLANTA, GA
SEP 14, 2025 - COCA-COLA ROXY - ATLANTA, GA
SEP 16, 2025 - OVENS AUDITORIUM - CHARLOTTE, NC
SEP 18, 2025 - BENEDUM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - PITTSBURGH, PA
SEP 19, 2025 - LOUDER THAN LIFE - LOUISVILLE, KY
SEP 21, 2025 - FOX THEATRE - DETROIT, MI
SEP 22, 2025 - PRAIRIE HOME ALLIANCE THEATER - PEORIA, IL
SEP 24, 2025 - MILLER HIGH LIFE THEATRE - MILWAUKEE, WI
SEP 25, 2025 - ORPHEUM THEATRE - MINNEAPOLIS, MN
SEP 27, 2025 - VIBRANT MUSIC - HALLWAUKEE, IA
SEP 29, 2025 - PIKES PEAK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
OCT 3, 2025 - AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL - SACRAMENTO, CA
OCT 4, 2025 - FRONTWAVE ARENA - OCEANSIDE, CA
OCT 5, 2025 - LONG BEACH TERRACE THEATRE - LONG BEACH, CA
OCT 7, 2025 - MESA ARTS CENTER - MESA, AZ
OCT 8, 2025 - ABRAHAM CHAVEZ THEATRE - EL PASO, TX
OCT 11, 2025 - TULSA THEATER - TULSA, OK
OCT 13, 2025 - THE MIDLAND THEATRE - KANSAS CITY, MO
OCT 14, 2025 - THE FACTORY - CHESTERFIELD, MO
OCT 17, 2025 - THE VENUE AT HORSESHOE HAMMOND - HAMMOND, IN
OCT 18, 2025 - PALACE THEATRE - COLUMBUS, OH
OCT 20, 2025 - LANDMARK THEATRE - SYRACUSE, NY
OCT 22, 2025 - VETERANS MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM - PROVIDENCE, RI
OCT 23, 2025 - PROCTORS THEATRE - SCHENECTADY, NY
OCT 25, 2025 - NASSAU VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM - UNIONDALE, NY
