Mike Mangini (born April 18, 1963 in
Newton, MassachusettsNewton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2000 census, the population of Newton was 83,829, making it the tenth largest city in the state.-Villages:...
) is a drummer who is best known for his work as a session artist who has played for
ExtremeExtreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Queen and Van Halen...
and
Steve VaiSteven "Steve" Siro Vai is an Italian American instrumental rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer, beekeeper, and actor. After starting his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, Vai would also record and tour in Zappa's backing band starting in 1980...
. He is a teacher at the
Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music, founded in 1945, is a private, degree-granting four year college in Boston, Massachusetts. It has a 2009 fall enrollment of approximately 4,100 students and a 2009 faculty of approximately 500...
in
BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
and held five
World's Fastest Drummer world records.
Mike Mangini started playing the drums when he was five years old. He would practice six to ten hours a day and by the time he was nine he was already mimicking
Buddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
performances.
Mike Mangini (born April 18, 1963 in
Newton, MassachusettsNewton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2000 census, the population of Newton was 83,829, making it the tenth largest city in the state.-Villages:...
) is a drummer who is best known for his work as a session artist who has played for
ExtremeExtreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Queen and Van Halen...
and
Steve VaiSteven "Steve" Siro Vai is an Italian American instrumental rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer, beekeeper, and actor. After starting his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, Vai would also record and tour in Zappa's backing band starting in 1980...
. He is a teacher at the
Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music, founded in 1945, is a private, degree-granting four year college in Boston, Massachusetts. It has a 2009 fall enrollment of approximately 4,100 students and a 2009 faculty of approximately 500...
in
BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
and held five
World's Fastest Drummer world records.
Biography
Mike Mangini started playing the drums when he was five years old. He would practice six to ten hours a day and by the time he was nine he was already mimicking
Buddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
performances. By high school, he was performing in school bands and participating in the prestigious All-County, All-State, and all Eastern United States ensembles.
After graduating from Waltham Senior High School in 1981, Mangini put aside his music studies to pursue a
Computer ScienceComputer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation, and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems. It is frequently described as the systematic study of algorithmic processes that create, describe and transform...
major at
Bentley CollegeBentley University, formerly Bentley College, is a private co-educational university located at 175 Forest Street in Waltham, Massachusetts, west of Boston...
. After graduating Mike started programming software for the Patriot Missile program. At the same time, he was working on a program that studied the links between the human brain and body. These two experiences have helped Mike in the development of his
Rhythm Knowledge learning systems.
In 1987, Mangini scored one of his first 'high-profile' gigs - playing drums for the Rick Berlin Band in
BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
, where he worked with bassist Phillip Bynoe (who would later go on to work with Mike in sessions for
JourneyJourney is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco, California with former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases, but its strongest commercial success came in the late 1970s to the early 1980s...
's
Steve PerrySteve Perry is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey from 1978–1987 and 1995–1998. Perry had a successful, but short lived solo career throughout the late eighties and early nineties. He released Street Talk in 1984 which went to #12 on the...
and more notably during Mike's time in the
Steve VaiSteven "Steve" Siro Vai is an Italian American instrumental rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer, beekeeper, and actor. After starting his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, Vai would also record and tour in Zappa's backing band starting in 1980...
band). He also taught drums privately in Boston during this time.
In 1991, Mangini began working for a thrash metal band named
AnnihilatorAnnihilator are a Canadian thrash metal band formed in 1984 by the leader and only permanent member, vocalist, guitarist and bassist Jeff Waters. They debuted with the critically-acclaimed album, Alice in Hell in 1989.-History:...
. Mike performed on the drums on several tracks for the studio album,
Set the World on FireSet the World on Fire is the third album by Annihilator. It was released in 1993.-Track listing:#"Set the World on Fire" – 4:30#"No Zone" – 2:47#"Bats in the Belfry" – 3:37...
. He went on to tour with the band in support of this album up until 1994. In 1994 he was asked to play with the band
ExtremeExtreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Queen and Van Halen...
, replacing original drummer
Paul GearyPaul Geary was once the drummer for the Funk metal band, Extreme. He was replaced in the group in 1994, by then future and now former Annihilator member Michael Mangini....
. Mike Mangini had been friends with noted
ExtremeExtreme is an American rock band, headed by frontmen Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt, that reached the height of their popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Among some of Extreme's musical influences are Queen and Van Halen...
guitarist
Nuno BettencourtNuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt is a Portuguese-American guitarist and singer-songwriter best known for his role as the lead guitarist of the Boston hard rock band Extreme whose hits include the acoustic ballads "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted"...
since the 1980s. His time in Extreme included recording several tracks for their 1995 album,
Waiting For The PunchlineWaiting for the Punchline is Extreme's fourth album, which was released in 1995. It was labeled as a "grunge" album, but despite stripped down production and frontman Gary Cherone's gruffer, less-tuneful delivery, it otherwise lacked significant deviation from Extreme's style on prior recordings...
. During this time, he also made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. While on tour with Extreme in 1995, Mike recorded songs for Nuno on his 4-track tape machine. Those songs ended up on "Schizophonic" after Nuno left Extreme to pursue a solo career.
After Extreme dissolved in 1996, Mike was informed through drummer
Jonathan MoverJonathan Mover is an American drummer who has worked with a number of artists including Aretha Franklin, Fuel, Alice Cooper, Shakira, GTR, Everlast, The Tubes, Mick Jagger, Steve Howe, Peter Frampton, Oleander, Celine Dion, Elton John, Stuart Hamm, They Might Be Giants, Frank Gambale, Mike...
that guitarist Steve Vai was auditioning drummers for his live band. Mike successfully auditioned for Steve Vai's band and relocated to
Los AngelesLos Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest in the United States. Often abbreviated as L.A. and nicknamed The City of Angels, Los Angeles has an estimated population of 3.8 million and spans over in Southern California...
.
From late 1996 to early 2000, Mangini was the highly regarded drummer of Vai's live ensemble, which also included bassist Phillip Bynoe, guitar wizard
Mike KeneallyMichael Joseph Keneally is an American guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and composer. Allmusic says: "With his wide-ranging talents and ability to be creative in almost any musical situation, Keneally is the leading progressive rock genius of the post-Zappa era."Born in Long Island, New York, he...
and (in 2000) guitarist Dave Weiner. Mike also recorded several drum tracks for Steve's
Fire Garden and
Ultrazone albums.
Following the initial suspension of the South American leg of the Ultrazone Tour in 2000, Mangini moved back home to
BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
and began teaching at Berklee College as an associate professor. He began working with former Extreme frontman
Gary CheroneGary Cherone is an American rock singer-songwriter. He is best known for his work with the rock group Extreme, as well as his short stint as the lead singer for Van Halen on the Van Halen III album and subsequent tour. In recent years. he has released solo recordings. In 2007, he reunited with...
and bassist
Pat BadgerPat Badger is the bassist in the band Extreme. He is also a former member of Daemon, In The Pink, Super Trans Atlantic, and Tribe Of Judah....
in the short-lived band,
Tribe of JudahTribe of Judah is Gary Cherone's post-Van Halen band featuring several former members of Extreme. An eponymous EP was released in 2001 and a full-length album was released in late 2002. Tribe of Judah is different from Cherone's other work as it features a more Industrial/Electronic sound...
. He also continued to work with
Dale BozzioDale Bozzio , Boston Massachusetts, is an American musician and former Playboy Bunny. She became famous as the lead singer for the 1980s pop/new wave band Missing Persons.- Career :...
(formerly of the new wave band,
Missing Persons), and recorded several more records. Among these records was a
RushRush is a Canadian rock band originally formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
tribute record (entitled "Subdivisions") and a second full-length album with Annihilator titled "All for You." He also recorded tracks for artists Sal DiFusco,
Bill Lonero and Chris Emerson.
In 2005, he accepted a full-time teaching position at the
Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music, founded in 1945, is a private, degree-granting four year college in Boston, Massachusetts. It has a 2009 fall enrollment of approximately 4,100 students and a 2009 faculty of approximately 500...
in
BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
and today he is a prominent faculty member in the school's percussion department.
In 2007 Mike did the album Metal by Annihilator.
One of Mike's current projects is Chix n' Stix.
Equipment
Mangini currently endorses
Pearl DrumsFounded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
and Zildjian Cymbals. In 2008,
Pearl DrumsFounded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
released the
Mike Mangini Signature Popcorn Snare. It is 10x6.2" made from 6ply Birch. He also uses his own Zildjian Mike Mangini Signature Sticks, which are laminated
BirchBirch is the name of any tree of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae.-Description:...
with an acorn style tip, 16 1/5" long and .585" in diameter.
Mangini also uses
PearlFounded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
Eliminator Pedals, and
PearlFounded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
Hardware,
Rolandis a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in...
Electronics,
ShureShure Incorporated is a consumer and professional audio electronics corporation. Shure Incorporated mainly produces microphones and other audio electronics, but also produces in-ear monitors for a variety of audio applications including MP3 players.-Background:Shure was founded in 1925 as The...
Microphones, and
RemoRemo is an American drum skin company.Remo may also refer to:* Remo , a member of the Lucchese crime family* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru* Clube do Remo, a Brazilian football club...
Drumheads.
Current Setup (2008)
- Pearl
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
Masters Premium 6ply Maple Drums & Zildjian Cymbals:
- Drums — Red Pearl, Red Onyx or Shimmer of Oz Finishes
- 10x8" Tom
- 12x9" Tom
- 14x14" Floor Tom
- 18x16" Floor Tom
- 22x18" Bass Drum
- 10x6.2" Mike Mangini Signature Popcorn Snare
- 14x5.5" Snare
- Cymbals — Zildjian
- 14" A Custom Hi-Hats
- 13" A Custom Hi-Hats
- 14" ZHT Hi-Hats
- 13" Mastersound Hi-Hats
- 21" Rock Ride
- 20" Oriental Crash of Doom
- 18" A Custom Crash
- 17" A Custom Crash
- 22" Oriental China Trash
- 18" Oriental China Trash
- 14" Oriental China Trash
- 14 ZXT Trashformer (x3)
- 6" A Custom Splash
- 6" A Zilbel
- Drum Heads — Remo
Remo is an American drum skin company.Remo may also refer to:* Remo , a member of the Lucchese crime family* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru* Clube do Remo, a Brazilian football club...
- Toms: (10", 12", 14", 18") Clear Emperors (top), Clear Ambassadors (bottom)
- Bass Drum: (24") Clear Powerstroke 3 with Falam Slam Patch (back), Standard Pearl Ebony (front)
- Snares: (14", 10") Coated CS Controlled Sound or Coated Ambassadors (top), Clear Ambassadors(bottom)
- Percussion — Pearl
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
- Primero 6" Cowbell
- Mide-Pitched Clave Block
- Hardware — Pearl
Founded in 1952, the is a multinational corporation based in Japan with a wide range of products, predominately percussion instruments.-History:Pearl was founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, who began manufacturing music stands in Sumida, Tokyo on April 2, 1946...
- DR503C Curved Icon Rack
- PCX100 Clamp (x3)
- PCX200 Clamp (x4)
- TH-2000S Tom Arms (x3)
- TH2000I Tom Arms (x2)
- CH70 Cymbal Holders (x2)
- CH-2000 Cymbal Holders (x2)
- CH-2000S Cymbal Holders (x4)
- CLH1000 X-Hat Attachment (x2)
- AX25 Adapter (x2)
- AX25L Adapter (x2)
- P120 Bass Drum Pedal (x2)
- P2002B Elimanator Double Pedal (Belt Drive w/Red Cams)
- S2000 Snare Stand
- RH-2000 Remote Hi-Hat (w/red cams) (x2)
- DC-L300P Drop Clutch
- D1000 Roadster Throne
- PPS20 Cowbell Footpedal Bracket (x2)
- PS85 Pedal Stabilizer
Trivia
- At his height from 2002-2005, Mangini was notorious for setting five World's Fastest Drummer records. These included the Fastest Matched Grip at 1,203 single strokes in 60 seconds in 2005, and then topped his own record in 2006 with 1,247 strokes (which is yet to be matched), Fastest Hands, which he earned by executing 1,138 single stroke notes in 60 seconds without drum sticks, mallets, etc. in 2002, until Glen Caruba broke it with 1,140 notes in 2006. Fastest Traditional Grip which he earned by executing 1,126 single strokes in 60 seconds in 2003, a record that stood for five years before falling to Matt Smith
Matt Smith may refer to:*Matt Smith or Matthew H. Smith , member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives*Matt Smith , member of the Tasmanian state parliament...
(1,132) in 2008, and Fastest Single Stroke Foot record playing 13,222 hits in 15 minutes and 4,555 hits in five minutes; records that stood for two years before falling to Mike Mallais (13,309/4,595) in 2007.
- Mangini has written two books about his drumming techniques. These books, titled Rhythm Knowledge, are a practice method for deconstructing and simplifying complex polyrhythm
Polyrhythm is the simultaneous sounding of two or more independent rhythms. Polyrhythms can be distinguished from irrational rhythms, which can occur within the context of a single part; polyrhythms require at least two rhythms to be played concurrently, one of which is typically an irrational...
s and time signatures.
- Mangini recently appeared on the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable TV channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It provides documentary programming focused primarily on popular science, technology, and history...
show 'Time Warp'Time Warp is a popular science television program produced for the Discovery Channel in the United States, in which MIT scientist, teacher, and artist, Jeff Lieberman and high speed camera expert Matt Kearney, turn their high speed camera on everyday occurrences and amazing talents...
, displaying his drum skills for high speed cameras.
External links