Out of Berklee Dream Theater was born and we've been together ever since. I didn't have to taste that feeling of defeat.

I have to say that our fans have been absolutely wonderful all across the world.

We auditioned a lot of great drummers; every one of them was world class. We had a lot of fun playing with each of them and had some great jams. With Mike [Mangini] it was just something really special about what was going on.

I don't have very eclectic tastes in music.

With all tools at my disposal, I'm 100% into chasing tone and checking out new equipment and "geeking" out during sound check by taking too much time.

We used to rehearse and that's where the roots of Dream Theater formed. Y'know, we used to play cover songs and jam to [Iron] Maiden and stuff but we were writing songs and it was this metal, loud style and we'd constantly get knocks on our door, because the rehearsal rooms were right next door to each other, and these jazz guys would be like, "Can you guys turn it down a little?"

I'm realizing this more and more that it's one thing to get involved with your own political beliefs and stand behind you believe in personally.