Will John Myung be next?

[Chino]

With MP's unexpected departure the true fate of the band is up in the air. Even if the next album is on time and everything goes according to plan, we still don't know how this will turn out for quite a while. Our buddy JM has seemed very out of it the last few year, sort of like only staying in the band fo the sake of the band. If the new DT doesn't end up working out so well, do you think JM will choose to leave as well?

[Killer123™]

As far as I know, JM and JP have always been together. Myung usually sticks with Petrucci, and so I don't think he's leaving just because Mike left.

[jag66]

nah, he should start writing again now I reckon 

[cthrubuoy]

As far as I know, JM and JP have always been together. Myung usually sticks with Petrucci, and so I don't think he's leaving just because Mike left.

Actually, as far as I know... they're only together in DT. Every other sideproject/solo work JM or JP have done has been without the other.

[Tick]

Nope. This is what he does for a living. He is not going to retire, he's a musician. Also, he is comfortable with these guys.

[skydivingninja]

The two Johns still seem to have fun with each other on stage.  I don't think JM is going anywhere unless Jelly Jam somehow become Muse or Kings of Leon huge with this next album.

[rumborak]

JM is going nowhere, since he has nowhere to go.

rumborak

[MykeHavoc]

I honestly don't imagine he would go anywhere. DT is his job security. And all of us are waiting to see how the new record shapes up. Weren't there hints that he may consider contributing more lyrical content? Perhaps with Mike gone, John may also add more musical ideas...or maybe he'll just sit there with his mouth closed and play his bass like he always does. I don't know. I guess we'll find out.

[antigoon]

I wish.

Actually, I take that back. Maybe he'll do something interesting for a change now that Mike's gone.

[tri.ad]

JM is going nowhere, since he has nowhere to go.

rumborak

Basically, this. I understand where you're coming from, Chino, but I don't really think that JM will follow MP.

[?]

I don't think JM will leave the band. I think he would've left the band some time ago already if he was uncomfortable with his role in the band. But I hope he'll contribute more to the next album because someone has to fill the void left by Mike (lyrics-wise) and I think JLB and JM could together do that. James has usually written lyrics for 1 or 2 songs on the albums so if there was need for more lyrics and JP and JLB couldn't come up with anything, JM could help.

[glaurung]

Kevin Moore will rejoin the band as a banjo player before that happens.

[Orbert]

I don't think JM will leave the band. I think he would've left the band some time ago already if he was uncomfortable with his role in the band. But I hope he'll contribute more to the next album because someone has to fill the void left by Mike (lyrics-wise) and I think JLB and JM could together do that. James has usually written lyrics for 1 or 2 songs on the albums so if there was need for more lyrics and JP and JLB couldn't come up with anything, JM could help.

I hope they loosen up a bit on the rule about lyrics having to be "in a finished state" or whatever, and thus encourage JM to write lyrics again.  I always assumed that that rule was Mike's idea, but probably because I always saw Mike as a dictator and control freak.

[rumborak]

I think reality is that JM also doesn't put a lot of initiative into it. You can "loosen" the rules all you want, but if JM goes home after the gig to his family and doesn't show up with lyrics the next time, it's not gonna help you.

rumborak

[PlaysLikeMyung]

I think reality is that JM also doesn't put a lot of initiative into it. You can "loosen" the rules all you want, but if JM goes home after the gig to his family and doesn't show up with lyrics the next time, it's not gonna help you.

rumborak

Part of me thinks he was kinda bullied into that though.

I could be wrong, but sometimes it seems that way

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I don't think so. Rumby already stated why.

[Aniland]

He doesn't seem too happy. Remember the video of recent where the cameraman says "Have anything to say John?" and he just looked down at the floor with an incredibly sad look on? That didn't look like a guy who is happy with his surroundings.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

He doesn't seem too happy. Remember the video of recent where the cameraman says "Have anything to say John?" and he just looked down at the floor with an incredibly sad look on? That didn't look like a guy who is happy with his surroundings.

He's an introvert. He doesn't do those sort of interviews, and he never has, even in the early days. Hell, even on his instructional video he stammers and mumbles a lot of the time

[Nic35]

When I saw him live this summer, he seemed to have a lot of fun on stage.

[Zydar]

When I saw him live this summer, he seemed to have a lot of fun on stage.

He even kicked a beach ball on stage - I've seen it on YouTube.

[Orbert]

I think reality is that JM also doesn't put a lot of initiative into it. You can "loosen" the rules all you want, but if JM goes home after the gig to his family and doesn't show up with lyrics the next time, it's not gonna help you.

True.  Loosening the rules now may not help, as the damage has been done.  I just figure that JM used to like writing lyrics.  If it was something that was always valued and encouraged within the band, then he would find time to do it, just as he finds time to practice and learn the new songs and stuff even though he has a family.  It would be one more "band-related" thing that gets prioritized in his life.

But he got shot down, and at this point, he hasn't written in a while and perhaps has lost the feel for it, just doesn't care to do it anymore, so even if the possibility opens up, it won't happen.  But we don't know.

[7StringedBeast]

Will JP leave next?  Will JLB leave next??  Why does everyone always assume JM is sad and depressed with the band and that he just gets dragged along?  It's like people don't think he has any will power or something.

[BRGM]

Agreed, it's pretty rediculous

[SystematicThought]

He doesn't seem too happy. Remember the video of recent where the cameraman says "Have anything to say John?" and he just looked down at the floor with an incredibly sad look on? That didn't look like a guy who is happy with his surroundings.

The one Jordan shot during the BC&SL sessions?

[MykeHavoc]

I think a lot of JMX's personality is for the humor of it. I mean, obviously he is a greatly private and quiet person, but the fanbase has had so much ridiculous fun with it that perhaps it has gotten to the point that he perpetuates it for the amusement of it. Like in that video with the roadie getting the dollars from everyone...JMX's part is by far the funniest, and he's clearly enjoying the moment, relishing in his "Weirdness" for the sake of the joke.

[DeanTheater]

He would never leave...................................... But, If he did leave, it would be under the cover of darkness, in the dead of night, leaving without a trace.

[rumborak]

I think a lot of JMX's personality is for the humor of it. I mean, obviously he is a greatly private and quiet person, but the fanbase has had so much ridiculous fun with it that perhaps it has gotten to the point that he perpetuates it for the amusement of it. Like in that video with the roadie getting the dollars from everyone...JMX's part is by far the funniest, and he's clearly enjoying the moment, relishing in his "Weirdness" for the sake of the joke.

This, totally. He knows about it, the whole band knows about it, so obviously they're gonna release the snippets that reinforce it.

rumborak

[TL]

I think a lot of JMX's personality is for the humor of it. I mean, obviously he is a greatly private and quiet person, but the fanbase has had so much ridiculous fun with it that perhaps it has gotten to the point that he perpetuates it for the amusement of it. Like in that video with the roadie getting the dollars from everyone...JMX's part is by far the funniest, and he's clearly enjoying the moment, relishing in his "Weirdness" for the sake of the joke.

This, totally. He knows about it, the whole band knows about it, so obviously they're gonna release the snippets that reinforce it.

rumborak

This, definitely.

Plus, he seemed to be enjoying himself in recent live vids.

[Jarlaxle]

I thought we would have learnt our lesson by saying "oh, he would never leave!" 

[Zook]

Was that video of him kicking the beach ball at the Phoenix show? A beach ball made on stage once but I can't remember if JM kicked it. I just remember a security guy catching it the second time and popping it.

[Jarlaxle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKgGT-cShck&feature=PlayList&p=C982902C348EEA2F&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=12

[Zook]

I can't view it, but thanks anyway.

[dethklok09]

maybe he just didnt want the beach ball in his way. as for the subject of the tread i dont believe hes gonna leave. not for a sec

[bodiesinflight]

I wish people would just accept that JM is just naturally quiet and doesn't necessarily want to get involved all the time rather than choosing to believe there's some more sinister reason for him not writing and stuff...of course he's not gonna leave the band.

[Mladen]

I think a lot of JMX's personality is for the humor of it. I mean, obviously he is a greatly private and quiet person, but the fanbase has had so much ridiculous fun with it that perhaps it has gotten to the point that he perpetuates it for the amusement of it. Like in that video with the roadie getting the dollars from everyone...JMX's part is by far the funniest, and he's clearly enjoying the moment, relishing in his "Weirdness" for the sake of the joke.

This, totally. He knows about it, the whole band knows about it, so obviously they're gonna release the snippets that reinforce it.

This is how I see it as well. And that short bit with JMX giving Eric a dollar is so hilarious. ''Here you go, sir!'', ''He even spoke!''