Fan-filmed video footage of the new supergroup featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), bassist Billy Sheehan (STEVE VAI, DAVID LEE ROTH), guitarist Tony MacAlpine(neo classical-metal style, STEVE VAI) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, PLANET X, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) performing on October 27 at Milk in Moscow, Russia during the band’s European tour can be seen below.
Portnoy, Sheehan, MacAlpine and Sherinian are playing an all-instrumental set consisting of material from each of their solo records and their previous collaborations as well as classic instrumental covers and extended solo spots.
Immediately following the European/Asian trek, the group will play a one-off U.S. show on November 18 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City
In a recent
interview with Prog Sphere, Portnoy stated about the new band, “It’s a blast. I love Derek; he’s a fun guy. I still stand by the fact that I’m not sure if he was ever right for DREAM THEATER. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t love the guy as a player and person. I really do — I love being with him and I love playing with him and I’m glad to be able to work with him again. And, you know, it’s a cool project because obviously it’s very much… I think of everything I’m doing it’s the most like DREAM THEATER or it’s more even like LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, probably. But you know, it’s just me being able to play that kind of music with some amazing musicians. Not only Derek, but, obviously, Billy Sheehan’s a dear friend and I’ve got two different things going with Billy at the moment, and I love working with him; he’s one of my favorite bass players of all time. And Tony MacAlpine is an amazing guitar player, so I’m honored to be playing with him as well. It’s a great, great lineup and we have a DVD that’s gonna come out soon from when we played together back in January and then we have this run of shows coming up in the fall.
Asked if he is going to create some original music with that band, Portnoyreplied, “There’s no plans for it, but obviously, we are gonna spend months together playing every day, so I’m sure it will inevitably be discussed, and who knows?! I think it could be very, very cool. So, you know, we’ll see. I’m sure we’ll talk about it.”
Portnoy formed the lineup to perfom at two drum events at the NAMMshow last January (footage below). Due to overwhelming response, that band has decided to take their show on the road.
“I knew when assembling this lineup that it would be a magical musical experience that would be a blast for us as well as the fans! I can’t wait to play again with these tremendous musicians and share the experience with you all at these special shows!” said Portnoy.
