By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/10/2016
"I always try and play to the song first and foremost whether it's progressive, pop, metal or whatever," says drummer Mike Portnoy as he discussed the latest upcoming tour and CD release, "The Similitude Of A Dream," from The Neal Morse Band. "I adapt to different styles whether I'm a leader or a collaborator."
Portnoy has been "Collaborating" with Morse for nearly two decades which is saying much about his dedication to the music of Morse as his talents are often in high demand. Currently, six different bands have employed his beats, something he enjoys as each band is a bit different. "I have to be very responsible with my calendar," he stated. "Part of the reason that I left Dream Theater was so that I could diversify. I like playing progressive and also like playing classic rock; it's where Neal and I have common ground. He likes progressive and classic rock and we both like the Beatles, so finding common ground is never an issue."
The Neal Morse Band is comprised of three constants, Morse, Portnoy and bassist Randy George. Together, this trio has produced a plethora of music and Portnoy and George have become mainstays of Morse's original works. "I've been working with Neal since '99," stated Portnoy. "We have a deep long history together; we've done about an album a year for the last 17 years."
Past incarnations of the band in addition to the big three have been varying and inconsistent as the remaining touring members would be chosen on an "As needed" basis. These temporary versions would suit the band's needs but in 2012 they chose to sure up the lineup with permanent additions which they found in keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist/vocalist Eric Gillette. This unit has now released its second album, Morse's eighth studio work over all which Potnoy calls their "Master work" and the "Pinnacle" production of his time spent with the group. "Similitude is a a double concept album and a massive piece of work," he explained. "I've always had a soft spot for concept albums. Pink Floyd's "The Wall" or The Who's "Tommy" are two classic examples of great concept albums and I definitely have a soft spot for those.There really are no bands making concepts records today but in the progressive genre there are constantly concept albums being produced and this is a great concept album."
According to Morse's website,"Similitude Of A Dream" is loosely and directly based on a book published in 1678 about one man, a pilgrim and his spiritual journey from the "City of destruction to a place of deliverance." Once again, according to Morse's website; this album only covers the first 70-80 pages of the book. Does this leave room for additional chapters? The possibilities seem endless but only time will tell.
Portnoy, who counts Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Neil Peart and Terry Bozzio as his influences says that the album will be released on November 18 and that the U.S leg of a tour will follow beginning in January of 2017 before heading over to Europe in April. "Yeah, we're waiting a month, letting it get out there and then hitting the road. I'm going to enjoy playing this live and I'm ready to get started."
To discover more about The Neal Morse Band and their upcoming release and tour; please visit www.nealmorse.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. Shore Soundz
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Lemon Sky, Cherry Blossoms, Pickaxe, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 8 p.m. "Barz All Night" Music and Sound by DJ TDogg. Ages 21+, $10
Tues. 5 p.m. Victory Heights, Devil In The Details, Wolf Herder, Reach Orenda, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glenn McClelland Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Long
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Lawrence Clark Sax Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Cedar Gardens Banquet Hall661 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Sat. 8 p.m. "An Evening With Instant Funk" w/ performances by the Grace Little Band, Bunny Sigler, Comedian Darryl Damn. Doors at 7 p.m., $30 (advance)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. DC Trio
Sat. 9 p.m. Fat J Big J
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Derek Crider
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (8 p.m.) Michael Leggerie
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Wizard Duo
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Wed. 8 p.m. Jay Regan
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Sat. 8 p.m. Astrokatz
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. Mike Kopliner
Sat. 8 p.m. Off The Record
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Tone Rangers
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Sat. 8 p.m. "Celebrating The Music of ELP" w/ Carl Palmer. Doors at 6 p.m., $55
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends Local and Original Music Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. John Colaiacovo
Fri. 6 p.m. Living The Dream
Sat. 6 p.m. Chris From Rave On
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Thieves & Poets
Wed. 6 p.m. "Farm-to-Table Dinner" $75 (Includes gratuity and taxes/reservations by 11/14)
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Flamenco Night
Sat. 2 p.m. Jazz Duo
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob & Jess
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd.
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2016 Laurita Idol" Singing Showcase Semi-finals: "Senior Idol"
Fri. 6 p.m. "Farm to Table harvest Dinner"
Sat. 11 a.m. "Late Fall Fire Pits & Food Trucks Festival" (11 a.m.) 80's Undercover (2 p.m.) Nash East (6 p.m.) The Rhythm Wranglers
Sun. 11 a.m. "Late Fall Fire Pits & Food Trucks Festival" (11 a.m.) The Daisy Jug Band (1:30 p.m.) Pennington Station (5:30 p.m.) DeB n the Sons Of RoCk
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girl's Night Out" / Cheese 101 with the Cheese Cave
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Paint Box, Vermillion, Cherry Bomb
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Thurs, 9 p.m. Honah Lee
Fri. 9 p.m. Indian Giver, Underground Rats, Lift Tom Lift. $6
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
All shows 21 +
Pasquale's Bar9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Sat. 9 p.m. The Dawgs Jersey
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Steve Bross
Sat. 8 p.m. Alex Otey Trio
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Plumsted Grill457 Pinehurst Road/Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 758-5552
Sat. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8/9:30 p.m. Adam Realman of the "Coney Island Sideshow. $12
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Bob E Luv. Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) Xclusive
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Michaela McClain
Mon. 7 p.m. Mic Monday
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. "Cabaret" w/ Rhonda Liss and Tim Brown. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. "Get A Way Closer" feat. Donald Hallcom. FREE (Donations excepted)
Mon. 8 p.m. "Chamber Music Quartet" feat. Vladmimir Dyo, Allen Krantz, Clipper Erickson, Ovidiu Marinescu. $20
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Kickback
Sat, 9 p.m. Black Rose
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Sat. 10 p.m. River Dogs
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9 p.m. DC Trio
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
The Temperance House5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Fri. 7 p.m. The Dadz
Third State Brewing 352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Sat. 6 p.m. Radio Fiction
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone
Sat 9 p.m. David Falconio
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Weise
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Fooling April. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. The Yeah Tones. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
Mon. 9 p.m. Zack Schmidt
Wed. 9 p.m. Kirby Sybert
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
