John Petrucci interview (excerpt)

MP – Let’s dive into the music and the current tour. As you said, it is your first solo headlining tour, and you’ve brought along some great friends and family. The opening band, Meanstreak, features Rena Sands Petrucci and Marlene Portnoy, who are married to you and Mike, respectively. How has this experience been for you?

JP – Looking back, I have not toured as a solo act before because I’ve done the G3 tour with Joe Satriani many, many times. It’s just the first time I’ve booked a solo headline tour. On top of that, having Meanstreak open for us has been a great experience. It’s my wife with Mike Portnoy’s wife and the rest of the great ladies (Bettina France, Martens Myung, and Yael Rallis) coming out and kicking butt every night.

However, for me to do this with Mike (Portnoy) on drums and reconnect with him musically is a special moment for both of us. We haven’t played on stage together in 12 years. When you add Dave LaRue into the mix, it’s a lot to handle every night. These shows are a chance for me to do something that shows all sides of me as a guitar player. It’s been so much fun, and the shows are just insane. We are playing with reckless abandon, there are so many notes going by, and we are just smiling the entire time. On top of that, the audiences have been fantastic and are enjoying the shows. We’re not even halfway through the tour, and there is great energy and excitement.

MP – I am curious about the enduring chemistry between you, Mike, and Dave. It’s probably going to be a familiar situation where things click instantly.

JP – We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve known Mike since I was 18 years old, in fact. There are so many unspoken things and inside jokes between us. Musically, we are so in sync that we can follow along when someone goes off on a tangent when we improvise. As I said, it’s been great fun so far.

MP – John, I am supremely impressed with your abilities as a guitar player. You are a legend, without question. However, in researching Meanstreak and watching videos of your wife on stage… I think you need to be worried. She is absolutely shredding! <laughs>

JP - <laughs> Yes, I know. She is definitely shredding every night. She and I both know this. I have to practice backstage every night. We all met 30 years ago, and we would watch them play. Next thing you know, we are married to a few of them, and that’s been great. When they were rehearsing at my house for this tour, they started playing, and it instantly came back to them. All the memories of them kicking ass came back right away.

MP – That all sounds amazing. I’m sure the vibe in the room is amazing. Quickly, if I may ask... who are some of your musical influences?

JP – When I first heard Steve Morris on the guitar in the Dixie Dregs, it changed everything for me. I was young, getting into guitar playing and studying playing techniques. When I heard the (Dixie) Dregs, I knew I wanted to play like that. That’s what makes it so special to be playing with Dave. Of course, I just must add that one of my favorite bands of all time is Rush.

MP – Rush is a great band, no argument from me. Thanks for sharing that. On another note, I did check out the video for the song “Temple of Circadia”. It’s a fun video that is animated, and there are some great hidden easter eggs in it. Especially the nod to Iron Smoke Distillery on the barrels. 

JP – Wayne Joyner directed it and put them all in there. I missed quite a few of them at first. In fact, we did a contest to see who could identify all of them. We will be announcing the winner very soon, in fact. I had to really dig in to find them all.

MP – It’s such a great interaction with fans when things like this happen. I need to go back and watch the video to identify a few more. Then I need to check for the winner so I can see what the full list is. Finally, do you have plans for anything after this tour? What is next?

JP – After this tour, we will take a break for the holidays. Then in 2023, Dream Theater will be touring extensively. It will take up most of the year. The tour dates aren’t finalized yet, but they will be coming soon.

MP – When you get those tour dates, please share them, and we will make sure our audience sees them.

JP – Yes, stay tuned.