If MP were to found/start-up a brand new prog-metal band

[LudwigVan]

Who should he recruit?

Bass: ?
Guitar(s): ?
Keyboards: ?
Vocals: ?

What would they sound like?

I mean, I'm not really a fan of MP joining up with an already-established big-name band like A7X.  I'd much prefer to see him create something from scratch that might even end up giving DT a run for its money.

Ritchie Blackmore did it with Rainbow (discovering Dio and a slew of other vocalists in the process), and Ozzy did it with Blizzard of Oz (discovering Randy Rhoads and a slew of other guitarists in the process).  These 'new' bands created a lot of excitement when they first formed, and ended up eclipsing Purple and Sabbath themselves for many years.  I can definitely see MP trying to follow in the same vein.

[The Letter M]

Bass: Sean Malone
Guitar(s): Paul Gilbert, without a doubt.
Keyboards:
Vocals:

I'm not sure who would be good choices for the last two, but I'd like to see Sean and Paul play with Mike again. They'd make a tight core trio together, and Mike's played with them on multiple occasions, so I think they'd gel well together.

As for what it would sound like? Definitely heavy prog, something along the lines of the heaviest stuff Rush has done (even though they've recently released some heavy stuff!). I think if he made a band, it would definitely steer towards a hard-and-heavy, balls-to-the-wall sound straight through. I think he'd save his prog-outings for Neal Morse-related projects (either his solo albums or with Transatlantic), so his metal-outlet would be this, and Sean and Paul would be great for that.

-Marc.

[KevShmev]

For him to start a new band that would give DT a run for its money, he would not only need great players, he would also need players who are also proven songwriters.  All of that talent doesn't mean a thing if you don't write good songs. 

[Mebert78]

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: Charlie Dominici
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Bass: Tony Levin
Guitar: Jim Matheos

[Seventh Son]

That would definitely be interesting, but it would all depend on who was able to write. If Portnoy dominated the songwriting, I"m not sure if I would be too interested in it.

[Mebert78]

Actually, I say he just joins Fates Warning.  He would add some cache and excitement to that band that they always kind of lacked.  The band has some great pieces with Matheos and Alder.  And they don't really have a drummer right now.  I think that would be interesting.

[darkshade]

i wouldnt mind seeing Transatlantic becoming a more permanent band. Portnoy is available, Neal Morse has his solo stuff, but im sure would love to do it. Roine Stolt hasnt released a Flower Kings album since 2007 (and there's still no news of one coming) so he's probably free. Pete Trevares is probably the only one i could see having scheduling problems, with Marillion and all, but i could see something working out. At the least, they get together more often to make albums than just every 8 years

some new LTE stuff would be nice, but the only thing i can think is... "aaawwwwrkwaaarrrrrd........" 

but hey, if Pete is busy with Marillion, maybe Tony Levin could come in for some session work with TA...

but seriously, a cool band to see would be:

Mike Portnoy - drums
Derek Sherinian - keys
Joshua Redman - sax
Steve Jenkins - bass
Bruce Fowler - trombone
Scott Henderson - guitar

i know.....

[JayOctavarium]

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: Charlie Dominici
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Bass: Tony Levin
Guitar: Jim Matheos
Random Samples: Kevin Moore

there

[ScioPath]

inb4

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: James LaBrie
Guitar: John Petrucci
Keyboards: Jordan Rudess
Bass: John Myung

[darkshade]

inb4

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: James LaBrie
Guitar: John Petrucci
Keyboards: Jordan Rudess
Bass: John Myung

hm i wonder what they would sound like. it'd probably sound like Jordan Rudess' "Feeding the Wheel" IMO

[jdprsaga]

humm... wishful thinking:

Drum: Mike
Guitar: Paul gilbert
Keys: Derek
bass: Tony levin??
Singer and guitar: Mikael Akerfeldt

This would have a great mix of paul and derek together would sound so crazy groove, mikael would add the metal and progressive.. tony would give epicness, mike can do all of this at once..   and most of it, all together will add creativity.

never going to happen.. but one can dream.

[Perpetual Change]

There's a couple ideas running through my mind, many of which I think could give DT a run for their money. I've got to admit, this one is intriguing:

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: Charlie Dominici
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Bass: Tony Levin
Guitar: Jim Matheos

Since this is really the best idea I've seen, I'll just riff off of it rather than give my own list. What about Jon Arch on vocals? Is he still competent? OR, what about Daniel Gildenlow on the vocals and Kristofer Gildenlow on the bass?

[YtseJamittaja]

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: Charlie Dominici and Chris Collins (backing vocals)
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Bass: Tony Levin
Guitar: Jim Matheos
Random Samples: Kevin Moore

there

This would sound good 

[Perpetual Change]

Actually, I say he just joins Fates Warning.  He would add some cache and excitement to that band that they always kind of lacked.  The band has some great pieces with Matheos and Alder.  And they don't really have a drummer right now.  I think that would be interesting.

This actually could be kinda cool. FW has always been seriously inhibited by a lack of marketing-- including members who, for the most part, seem apathetic about marketing themselves. I actually wonder how many longtime FW fans even knew about that reunion "tour" or the Parallels remaster. And, of course, Mike's a good hype guy.

But I really doubt Mike would "step down" from where he's at in Dream Theater right now. Fates Warning isn't actually lucrative.

[JayOctavarium]

Drums: Mike Portnoy
Vocals: Charlie Dominici and Chris Collins (backing vocals)
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Bass: Tony Levin
Guitar: Jim Matheos
Random Samples: Kevin Moore

there

This would sound good  

sure

[MykeHavoc]

I'm pretty sure Mike would start a heavier prog band, featuring a screamer vocalist.

[Jarlaxle]

I hope they sound just like DT but have no where near the success, just so everyone can say, "hah, that's what I thought!".

[Mindflux]

Bass: Flea
Guitar: Larry LaLonde
Drums: MP
Vocals: Fat Mike
Keys: Page McConnell
Bonus Sax: Skerik

Because it would be interesting.

[Seventh Son]

I'm pretty sure Mike would start a heavier prog band, featuring a screamer vocalist.

I could see this, but it would probably be a -core vocalist. 

[pmigueljr]

Portnoy, Les Claypool, Dweezil Zappa, Rudess.

Not prog-metal, I know. And keep instrumental 

[Samsara]

Bass: Doug Pinnick
Guitar(s): Gus G./Frank Aresti
Keyboards: Derek S.
Vocals: John Arch

[pogoowner]

Bass: Doug Pinnick
Guitar(s): Gus G./Frank Aresti
Keyboards: Derek S.
Vocals: John Arch

That would be interesting, to say the least. I honestly have no idea what direction that group would go in.

[RazielSR]

Bass: Jari Kainulainen
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Guitar: Timo Tolkki
Vocals: Michael Kiske

[?]

Bass: Jari Kainulainen
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Guitar: Timo Tolkki
Vocals: Michael Kiske

Tolkki and Portnoy wouldn't fit in the same band, they have too big egos!   Tolkki would dominate the songwriting and Portnoy would dominate everything else.

On the topic:
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Bass: Sean Malone
Vocals: Mikael Åkerfeldt
Guitar: Jim Matheos

[RazielSR]

Bass: Jari Kainulainen
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Guitar: Timo Tolkki
Vocals: Michael Kiske

Tolkki and Portnoy wouldn't fit in the same vand, they have too big egos!   Tolkki would dominate the songwriting and Portnoy would dominate everything else.

True...

[Samsara]

Bass: Doug Pinnick
Guitar(s): Gus G./Frank Aresti
Keyboards: Derek S.
Vocals: John Arch

That would be interesting, to say the least. I honestly have no idea what direction that group would go in.

All those guys are REALLY versatile, with the exception of Arch, who you know how he is going to sing. Throwing them all in a room would be interesting for sure. Gus G. is a power metal writer, Frank writes metal, Derek writes everything, and Doug writes everything. Plus, there would be some very unique and cool background vocals with Doug and Frank. It'd be a killer experiment.

[hefdaddy42]

MP should just call his buddies Gary Cherone, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert.

[Samsara]

MP should just call his buddies Gary Cherone, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert.

Agreed. But they all are a bit busy these days. lol

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Bass: ?
Guitar: Buckethead
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Vocals: Devon Graves/Buddy Lackey

[?]

Bass: ?
Guitar: Buckethead
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Vocals: Devon Graves/Buddy Lackey

I don't have a bass so I don't think I could join the band... 

[Jarlaxle]

[pogoowner]

Bass: Doug Pinnick
Guitar(s): Gus G./Frank Aresti
Keyboards: Derek S.
Vocals: John Arch

That would be interesting, to say the least. I honestly have no idea what direction that group would go in.

All those guys are REALLY versatile, with the exception of Arch, who you know how he is going to sing. Throwing them all in a room would be interesting for sure. Gus G. is a power metal writer, Frank writes metal, Derek writes everything, and Doug writes everything. Plus, there would be some very unique and cool background vocals with Doug and Frank. It'd be a killer experiment.

I can imagine Doug and Derek coming up with some really heavy, killer grooves.

[Gorille85]

Bass: ?
Guitar: Buckethead
Keyboards: Derek Sherinian
Vocals: Devon Graves/Buddy Lackey

I don't have a bass so I don't think I could join the band... 

[Mindflux]

Drums: John Bonham
Guitar: Hillel Slovak
Bass: Jaco Pastorius
Keys: Richard Wright
Trombone: MP

[Seventh Son]

Drums: John Bonham
Guitar: Hillel Slovak
Bass: Jaco Pastorius
Keys: Richard Wright
Trombone: MP

No offense bro, but I think that's in pretty bad taste.