Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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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 HALL
WAUKEE, 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