In general, I find that it’s a waste of my time to go to YouTube without a specific need. If there’s something in particular I want to see, or something I need to look up, I’ll go, but without a clear purpose, one can lose hours in what seems like minutes clicking aimlessly through the neverending labyrinth of “related videos”. Although I don’t like to do it often, it does occasionally happen.
I just spent about an hour browsing around YouTube and ended up watching videos about music, musicians, and such things. (Usually, if I don’t have a purpose on YouTube, those are the kinds of videos I get sucked into streaming). In particular, I was watching a few clips featuring German drummer Marco Minnemann. I’ve seen his videos before, and the guy is an incredible musician. He actually plays a multitude of instruments, but is most well known for his drumming skills, which combine raw talent with finesse, originality, and blinding speed across a range of musical styles: rock, jazz, metal, progressive. And the independence! Sometimes it’s as if he’s got a separate brain controlling each limb.
A clip via YouTube of Marco Minnemann playing in the odd time signature of 13/16.
Not long after Dream Theater and their drummer/co-founder/co-composer/co-lyricist/co-producer Mike Portnoy went their separate ways last year, fans began to speculate as to who would be stepping into the incredibly big shoes that were left behind. As we’ve all been kept in the dark for many months, it’s understandable how several fan-based predictions have emerged all over the web. A popular suspicion is that Minnemann will be the replacement, despite there being a claim of another Dream Theater member refuting the theory. I don’t know if there are grounds to the claim; so many fans say so many things, and without hearing it from either a reputable source or straight from the horse’s mouth, it’s tough to judge.
In my opinion, though, they probably won’t go with Minnemann. I feel like they’re the kind of band that will bring someone a little less famous into the spotlight. If they do happen to pick him, I’ll definitely be on board, because there’s no denying that he’s got the chops for the position, but something tells me it’s not going to happen. I’ll have to follow up this post to let everyone know if I was right or wrong once the decision (which has already been made, by the way) finally goes public.
If you want to see a lengthier video of Marco, check out this YouTube clip.
Walking the Pattern 