Mike Portnoy Says Flying Colors LP Mixes Foo Fighters, Muse + Beatles

2012-02-09

Story by Anne Erickson

Exclusive: Mike Portnoy says ‘diversity element’ on Flying Colors’ new album is ‘pretty crazy’

Mike Portnoy is the busiest man on the planet. Not only is the iconic drummer gearing up to release a new album with heavy metal supergroup Adrenaline Mob on March 13, but he’s also dropping his debut set with another supergroup, Flying Colors, on March 27. Call it an unstoppable work ethic.

Flying Colors brings together the talents of Portnoy, Steve Morse, Dave LaRue, Neal Morse and Casey McPherson. With members bringing years of experience from bands like Deep Purple and Dream Theater, it sounds like a prog-rock match made in heaven. But, Portnoy says when the guys got in the same room and actually starting gutting out melodies and songs, they found themselves creating everything from pop to rock to folk.

“I think if most people looked at this band on piece of paper, they would think that it would be very progressive and instrumentally-based music, but I think once we started playing together, we got taken into all new directions,” Portnoy exclusively told Audio Ink Radio. “I think a lot of that had to do with Casey, because Casey comes from a more modern rock and alternative rock background, so I think that really helped take the entire band in new directions.

“The diversity element is pretty crazy. It ranges from poppy classic rock sounds like the Beatles and Queen all the way to modern rock and alternative bands like Radiohead, Muse and Coldplay, and everything in-between. There’s some prog stuff like Yes thrown in, as well, and then there are moments that are like the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Foo Fighters. So, it really runs the gamut from track to track.” Check back for our full interview with Portnoy in the coming weeks. (Photo credit: Joey Pippin.)

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.