What if MP *was*actually pushed out?

[rumborak]

So far the public notion was that MP had asked for something the rest of DT could not possibly agree to, and thus he kinda pushed himself out.
What if DT was tired themselves of Dream Theater becoming a "MP presents' and thinking "maybe it's time for this to be a band effort "?
The reason I'm saying this is because I can't completely follow why DT was so hell-bent on getting into the studio beginning of next year. JLB, JP and JM have solo stuff coming out, and they will certainly have their hands full promoting those. Holiday season on top etc etc, it strikes as a bit weird to drive such a hard line.

I know, all speculation But the more I think about it the more I have the impression that there was more to this "scheduling conflict".

rumborak

[hefdaddy42]

I doubt it.  I think if that was what happened, MP would be talking a lot more about that.

[rumborak]

Would he? Looking at his statements, he has always alluded to that he left DT against his will. Any more than that it would get ugly, and I think he's smart enough not to do that.

rumborak

[hefdaddy42]

Whatever.  I don't even give a shit any more.  I am just looking forward to the next album.

[rumborak]

Btw, I'm not suggesting that this is the primary reason. But, I could see how this was the perfect storm ;MP wanting to put the band on hold, and the rest of the band having gotten tired of these displays of control, and then intentionally driving a hard line to make a point.

rumborak

[bosk1]

Btw, I'm not suggesting that this is the primary reason. But, I could see how this was the perfect storm ;MP wanting to put the band on hold, and the rest of the band having gotten tired of these displays of control, and then intentionally driving a hard line to make a point.

rumborak

I've assumed this to be the case since day 1. 

[rumborak]

Whatever.  I don't even give a shit any more.  I am just looking forward to the next album.

Oh, same here. I just find it entertaining to try to construct the most likely scenario that lead to the outcome. Really rather academic.

rumborak

[j]

Btw, I'm not suggesting that this is the primary reason. But, I could see how this was the perfect storm ;MP wanting to put the band on hold, and the rest of the band having gotten tired of these displays of control, and then intentionally driving a hard line to make a point.

rumborak

I don't think this is too far out there.  I mean it's impossible to know, but I wonder if (or to what extent) the other guys were dissatisfied with the "balance of power" so to speak.  Or lack thereof.  The thing is, I don't think any of them would ever say anything publicly about it.  Portnoy might not either, were that the case, but probably for different reasons.

-J

[Tick]

Maybe it went like this...

[JayOctavarium]

Whatever.  I don't even give a shit any more.  I am just looking forward to the next album.

[TAC]

Btw, I'm not suggesting that this is the primary reason. But, I could see how this was the perfect storm ;MP wanting to put the band on hold, and the rest of the band having gotten tired of these displays of control, and then intentionally driving a hard line to make a point.

rumborak

I've assumed this to be the case since day 1. 

I also thought this. I've said since the beginning that the band seems to have called his bluff. I applaud them for it, though no one is more bummed to see MP go than me. I excitedly await the new album. I think the band actually has a "real" blank slate.

[Perpetual Change]

Btw, I'm not suggesting that this is the primary reason. But, I could see how this was the perfect storm ;MP wanting to put the band on hold, and the rest of the band having gotten tired of these displays of control, and then intentionally driving a hard line to make a point.

rumborak

This is what I've assumed too, but I don't consider it being "pushed out." The fact is, various members of the band have likely had to make various compromises with the rest of the guys time and time again. I can't imagine James or either of the Johns quitting the band because they wanted a year off. Likewise, Mike's decision to leave was only a "push" if you ignore the fact that Mike needs to gets his way ALL THE TIME. In the end, it was Mike's decision not to respect the majority rule-- not a "push."

[cygnusaz]

Btw, I'm not suggesting that this is the primary reason. But, I could see how this was the perfect storm ;MP wanting to put the band on hold, and the rest of the band having gotten tired of these displays of control, and then intentionally driving a hard line to make a point.

rumborak

This is what I've assumed too, but I don't consider it being "pushed out." The fact is, various members of the band have likely had to make various compromises with the rest of the guys time and time again. I can't imagine James or either of the Johns quitting the band because they wanted a year off. Likewise, Mike's decision to leave was only a "push" if you ignore the fact that Mike needs to gets his way ALL THE TIME. In the end, it was Mike's decision not to respect the majority rule-- not a "push."

Dream Theater, and any band, is a team. When the team says we want to keep going - you stick with the team. I play Soccer, in the middle of a winning game if I am burned out I don't quit and walk off the field, lol.

Dream Theater are a team on a winning streak; selling more albums, playing to more people, and increasing in global stature. They need to keep moving, this isn't the time for a break.

[TL]

Dream Theater are a team on a winning streak; selling more albums, playing to more people, and increasing in global stature. They need to keep moving, this isn't the time for a break.

This. They're at a pivotal moment in their career. If they wait to long before their next album, they could lose a lot of the momentum they've built up over the past few years.

[tri.ad]

I doubt it, but wouldn't completely rule it out either.

[wolfking]

Maybe it went like this...

Gif WIN!!!   

Love LaBrie's reaction.

[Tick]

Maybe it went like this...

Gif WIN!!!   

Love LaBrie's reaction.

I made that gif and found some real humor in it pertaining to the departure of Mike. I'm glad you liked it.

[Samsara]

So far the public notion was that MP had asked for something the rest of DT could not possibly agree to, and thus he kinda pushed himself out.
What if DT was tired themselves of Dream Theater becoming a "MP presents' and thinking "maybe it's time for this to be a band effort "?
The reason I'm saying this is because I can't completely follow why DT was so hell-bent on getting into the studio beginning of next year. JLB, JP and JM have solo stuff coming out, and they will certainly have their hands full promoting those. Holiday season on top etc etc, it strikes as a bit weird to drive such a hard line.

I know, all speculation But the more I think about it the more I have the impression that there was more to this "scheduling conflict".

rumborak

Rum,

It wasn't that they were hellbent on entering the studio, they were hellbent on getting out there and being a band. You gotta remember, from a publicity standpoint, BC&SL was their high point since the early days. The album charted spectacularly, they are popular, and they are bringing in some high guarantees on the road.

They took off since the Maiden tour essentially because Portnoy wanted to. Now Portnoy comes in and says he wants the band to take a hiatus for a undetermined period of time...right as they are at their peak? Um...   

What MP did was force the band to either succumb to what he wanted, or move on without him. And the members of DT called his bluff. MP probably thought that if he decided the band was on hiatus, they'd follow. He thought wrong. It makes absolutely NO sense for DT to go on hiatus at this point in their career. And just because MP wanted it doesn't make it so, and it would have been tremendously unfair to the other people in the band, and the lives they lead.

So regardless of whether Mike left or the band forced him out, the bottom line is that Mike wanted the band to do something that made absolutely NO SENSE to anyone but Mike Portnoy. And that was criminally unfair to his bandmates, and frankly, I'm glad they had the good sense to move on.

Good luck to both DT and Portnoy as they carve out new chapters.

[EPICVIEW]

who knows what really went down or the history of this flair up within the band, from what I can gather Mike was not forced out, just asked to get his priorities in order to coordinate with the bands wants and commitments.

from what I can tell this appears to be accurate

[Orbert]

It just depends on your definition of "pushed out".

They didn't literally push him out, but when he looked at the door and started heading toward it, they didn't stop him.

[ariich]

It just depends on your definition of "pushed out".

They didn't literally push him out, but when he looked at the door and started heading toward it, they didn't stop him.

That. Because as everyone involved has made clear, the rest of the guys wanted to get on and carry on being a band. Sure they were driving a hard line, otherwise we wouldn't have this situation, but I'm almost completely certain that they weren't trying to drive him out. If he was willing to change his mind they would have been very happy with that.

I'm actually getting quite bored of speculation now to be honest.

[rumborak]

Nonsense. We need *more* speculation!!!

What if ... on the last gig, MP used JLB's shovel to dig a natural portapotty?

rumborak

[Dublagent66]

I think it also has something to do with what JP said in one of his posts about there being a lot of drumming talent out there.  I'm sure they would've preferred that MP stay, but if he can't stay, it certainly isn't the end of the world.

After what has transpired over nearly the past two weeks now, I'm less concerned about MP being gone than I was at first.  The band is definitely at a crossroads and I'm curious as to who the next drummer will be.  Think about it.  A bunch of talented guys out there are probably dying to be the next drummer for DT.  Someone's dream will come true.