​We just debuted a new video featuring Mike Wengren of Disturbed... these guys are living proof that hard work & dedication = success. He and the entire DISTURBED crew have been in our "inner circle" since the 90's... nothing but big respect for them!

Mike and I go back to the late 90's/00's and I knew the he and the band were something different from the start. They did all of the stuff you'd expect from an emerging metal band but they had serious focus when it came to the music. 
I visited Mike and DISTURBED in Chicago during their recording of the follow-up the crazy successful 'Down With The Sickness' CD, Believe. Although I got to interview Mike and producer Johnny K, one of my favorite memories of that trip is riding downtown with Mike in his truck blasting System Of A Down's Toxicity with the windows down. He was showing me some important local spots, went to see a band (maybe Rob Zombie?), and just hung out afterwards... just low key. There are some other highlights that I can't get into details (Memphis, Ozzfest 2000/01/03, House Of Blues for NAMM 2000-and something) BUT it's funny how it has changed to us now talking about our kids and families.
Some artists transcend the roster to become people you connect with and care about... Mike is definitely one of those and I couldn't be more happier about it.

I got the chance to drop in on Mike Wengren and Disturbed while they were recording Believe, the follow-up to their multi-platinum release The Sickness. I wanted to get inside the head of producer Johnny K who has helped catapult the band the worldwide recognition and success.


Pearl Drums: Johnny, thanks for letting us get an insight on how you recorded the drums for Disturbed’s first two releases. How did you go about recording Mike this time as opposed to The Sickness?