ANTHRAX Drummer Talks About Jamming With DREAM THEATER

March 20, 2006

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"I want to start a prog rock band! Who's with me???

"Last night [March 18] was inspirational... I was going to see DREAM THEATER play here in Chicago as I've never had the chance to see them live. It always seemed that our schedules never allowed for it, but tonight it all worked out. Mike [Portnoy] called and asked if I'd like to come up and do a drum duet with him (he has 2 kits up there),'FUCK YEAH, that sounds like fun.' Mike (as you all know) is a kick-ass drummer and a great guy. We've been friends for a few years now and we share the same tastes in music, movies, drums and coffee (had to get that last one in).

"He basically told me the arrangement and sent me an MP3 of his solo; we needed to decide what we were going to throw in. I thought it would be cool if he did the beginning of 'Indians' as a segue and he had the idea of me playing the beginning of 6:00. I think that was my favorite part, I loved playing that tune — now I have to learn the rest of it.

"I think this ranks up there with some of my favorite performances. Mike is a very giving drummer; it wasn't about blowing the other guy away or anything like that. It was two drummers having a ball doing what they do and letting the audience be a part of it... it's as simple as that. I had such a blast doing this with him and the band and I thank those guys once again for an AWESOME SHOW!!!

"I love the fact that DREAM THEATER do not cater to radio, MTV — they do it their own way and I admire them for it. I looked out to the sold-out crowd and thought - this is amazing! This is how it should be! Don't be surprised if you see ANTHRAX teaming up with them sometime in the future... hahaha

"The DEFTONES were in town last week and fucking ruled! This band has grown so much from when they toured with us back in 1995 — they have 'it.' I was bummed that they didn't play my favorite song 'Digital Bath', but I'll get over it. I can't wait for some new shit.

"Okay, okay. What else is going on? We're chatting on Tuesday in the CDC [official ANTHRAX fan club]. I need to order a B I G G E R drum kit from Tama! ARCTIC MONKEYS rock! Designing a signature snare drum! MAD TOYZ RULZ! 'Robot Chicken' on DVD later this month, I wanna do something on that show!

"My daughter rocks!"

Check out some of Charlie's latest pictures at this location.

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