It’s been a tumultuous year for DREAM THEATER as they saw their drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy leave the fold and start the search for a replacement. We posed the same questions we posed to Airbourne vocalist Joel yesterday to DT guitarist John Petrucci and this is what he had to say…

What was your personal theme song this year and why?
“I Will Survive” (for obvious reasons!)

What’s the most embarrassing or funny thing that happened on tour this year? Tell us the story!
While on tour with Iron Maiden this summer, during our set, Mike Portnoy decided to go off on a medley of Maiden covers which I would normally be able to hang with in my sleep since I know just about every song.

Unfortunately however, in all the excitement I forgot the fact that the guitar I was playing was in a drop D tuning and I just butchered one song after another! Turns out unbeknownst to me that Adrian Smith was standing right beside me the entire time. Oh well, it’s not like it was in front of an Iron Maiden crowd or anything!

What’s the biggest lesson you learned this year?
Don’t let your drummer fill in for another band.

What’s the coolest thing you discovered this year?
I’ve mastered the art of smoking meat.

What’s your new year’s resolution?
To use all my creative resources in making the next DT album and tour the best possible and to be more connected with our fans.