Mike just posted this on Facebook, saying that he is very sad

[lithium112]

Man, there is an astounding lack of empathy in this thread. And it's especially surprising because Mike's facebook post did NOTHING to incite it.

And in that light, it just looks as if he can't get over the split.

And what is so wrong with that? It's been two months. He just got out of a 25 year relationship. Because that's what a band is - it's a relationship. And no matter how it ends, after that long anyone is going to feel depressed and second-guess their decision and yes, there's going to be bitterness. Hell, when people get out of a 1 year relationship, it often takes them more than two months to get over it. Cut him some slack and give him a bit of time. The man is healing and it's not going to happen overnight.

The idea his heart wasn't in it anymore made the choice easier but if his heart wasn't in it then why is he still sad about it? One would think there would be a feeling of liberation. So again, I have a feeling he made a choice based on a temporary feeling that has now passed after the fact and now he wishes he could take it back but alas what's done is done.

Again - 25 years doesn't wash away overnight, regardless of whose "decision" it was to end it, Mike's or DT's. Saying that he should be happy about it and that there should be a feeling of liberation shows an amazing lack of empathy with the man and what he's been through.

Seriously guys, I want you to ask yourselves, if you met MP on the street right now or at a signing, what would you tell him? Would you tell him that he needs to get over it and move on? And that it was his choice to leave DT and that he should just deal with it and be happy? Somehow I don't think so. It's pretty easy to lose context and forget that you're talking about a person when you're on the internet.

[KevShmev]

I agree that it isn't realistic to get over a split or a breakup just like that, and no, this particular tweet was no big deal on its own, but when you combine it with all of his other comments, he is saying a bit too much.  Yes, being in a band is like being in a relationship, so when a breakup happens, everyone handles things differently, but I think many think the way he has gone about it is not the best way.  

Think of this way: say you and a girlfriend of many years broke up.  Now, of course you aren't gonna get over it just like that, but let's say the guy (who was shocked by the breakup) handles getting over it by making little comments here and there on his facebook page, knowing that friends of both will see them, and is frequently making not-so subtle remarks about how the breakup really wasn't his fault.  In a sense, he is trying to drum up support for his cause post-breakup (so his ex looks like the "bad guy," not him), and the constant comments are his way of saying he is not even close to getting over it, but they come off as bitter and angry.  That is essentially what Mike Portnoy is doing.  I am not saying he is wrong, because like I said, we all handle things differently, but maybe it isn't the best way to go about it, no?  

Again, this particular tweet is no big deal, but when you factor in all of the other stuff he said in the immediate aftermath, the cumulative effect is why some are reacting the way they are in this thread.  

Had the split taken place, but Portnoy taken a higher road, I doubt he would be catching a lot of the grief he is.  Like the old saying goes, most wounds are self-inflicted.  You can only play the victim for so long before you have to look in the mirror and see the truth for what it probably is.

[Adami]

I agree that Portnoy shouldn't "get over it" or anything. He'll heal in time, like we all do. It's been rough and he deserves to feel however he feels.

The problem is trying to make the public his support group. He has a wife, he has a family, he has good friends, he has a new band that he plays with. He has a good support system. The fans aren't supposed to be there to take sides the way he seems to want. Let his wife say "DT sucks for going on without you". It's not our business. He needs to go to his support group for support, not the public. That's the big issue.

[Setlist Scotty]

Mike Portnoy did not want to play for Dream Theater anymore and now he is not playing for Dream Theater.  I don't understand what his problem is.  And god knows there are a thousand other bands who sound exactly like Dream Theater who would be glad to take him. 

The problem is, MP doesn't want to play for DT at the moment but he will in a year or so. THAT is a big difference and why he has been upset over this, besides the fact that this has ended a 25 year relationship as others have pointed out. As for the multitude of DT-sound alike bands, why would he want to join a copy-cat when he had been in the original?

Well, had it gone 100% his way, he would be back in full steam with DT a year from now, after the hiatus. So, his own expectation was that a year from now everything would be hunky-dory again. From that mindset, of course he's bummed that, what could have been a temporary thing, ended up being a permanent thing.

I think this sums up things very well.

[changing_seasons]

Woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah...woah.

Mike left?

[ariich]

I think part of the problem really is that, other than the announcement that he would continue touring with A7X, there's been essentially radio silence as to what's happening in MP world. So, naturally, these tweets and FB updates are essentially perceived as mini-announcements. And in that light, it just looks as if he can't get over the split.

rumborak

There has been far from radio silence, he's been posting twitter/facebook updates all the time about what's going on with him. There just haven't been any DT related ones, because there hasn't been any news.

And of course he won't be over the split yet. I fail to see what is unreasonable about that.

[rumborak]

Twitter and FB updates are nice, but they're not the same as an official release of information, like the one announcing that he would tour with A7X.

rumborak

[ariich]

I know, but my point was that this was another twitter/fb update, so I can't see why anyone would get worked up about it.

In terms of big announcements, he obviously hasn't had anything big to announce.

[rumborak]

When does the tour end? I guess then all eyes will be pointed at him and what his future plans are.

rumborak

[Ħ]

When does the tour end? I guess then all eyes will be pointed at him and what his future plans are.

rumborak

The website says March 7, 2011.

[Aniland]

Woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah...woah.

Mike left?

I can't tell, are you trolling?

[Setlist Scotty]

When does the tour end? I guess then all eyes will be pointed at him and what his future plans are.

rumborak

The website says March 7, 2011.

That's the last date listed, but that doesn't mean that it's the end of the tour. I'd bet there will still be another run thru North America, if nothing else.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't understand any uproar that may be generated from this MP posting.  However, I don't think that most of the backlash being posted here is just over this posting.

I also don't think anyone is posting as if MP owed us anything.

[SnakeEyes]

That.  ^

[TAC]

Well, had it gone 100% his way, he would be back in full steam with DT a year from now, after the hiatus. So, his own expectation was that a year from now everything would be hunky-dory again. From that mindset, of course he's bummed that, what could have been a temporary thing, ended up being a permanent thing.

I think this sums up things very well.

But there really is no guarantee that in a year from now, as MP wanted it, that he would still not experience the same feelings/issues that he had been. Clearly, he needed a break from the guys, but how long would it have lasted once they reconvened?
On the surface he can say the the A7X tour has nothing to do with it, and the band had no problem with it, but indirectly, all it really does is delay the soul searching/refreshing that MP needed.
I'm really fine with. All that has happened, but I can't help but wonder that if MP really used the rest of 2010 as a mental vacation, why they couldn't still get together in January. A lot can happen in a year.
Obviously, things run a lot deeper than we'll ever know.

[changing_seasons]

Woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah...woah.

Mike left?

I can't tell, are you trolling?

No, just making a lame Peter Griffin reference.

Carry on.

[Super Dude]

Think of this way: say you and a girlfriend of many years broke up.  Now, of course you aren't gonna get over it just like that, but let's say the guy (who was shocked by the breakup) handles getting over it by making little comments here and there on his facebook page, knowing that friends of both will see them, and is frequently making not-so subtle remarks about how the breakup really wasn't his fault.  In a sense, he is trying to drum up support for his cause post-breakup (so his ex looks like the "bad guy," not him), and the constant comments are his way of saying he is not even close to getting over it, but they come off as bitter and angry.  That is essentially what Mike Portnoy is doing.  I am not saying he is wrong, because like I said, we all handle things differently, but maybe it isn't the best way to go about it, no?

Dude, I can tell you that if me or any of my friends did that post-breakup, our friends would tell them to shut the fuck up and quit whining (in those exact words, actually).

[Quadrochosis]

Kev pretty much is summing the issue up perfectly in this thread.

[ariich]

Think of this way: say you and a girlfriend of many years broke up.  Now, of course you aren't gonna get over it just like that, but let's say the guy (who was shocked by the breakup) handles getting over it by making little comments here and there on his facebook page, knowing that friends of both will see them, and is frequently making not-so subtle remarks about how the breakup really wasn't his fault.  In a sense, he is trying to drum up support for his cause post-breakup (so his ex looks like the "bad guy," not him), and the constant comments are his way of saying he is not even close to getting over it, but they come off as bitter and angry.  That is essentially what Mike Portnoy is doing.  I am not saying he is wrong, because like I said, we all handle things differently, but maybe it isn't the best way to go about it, no?

Dude, I can tell you that if me or any of my friends did that post-breakup, our friends would tell them to shut the fuck up and quit whining (in those exact words, actually).

If your friends tell you to "shut the fuck up" when you try to talk to them about your problems and things that are upsetting you, then you have shitty friends.

[emindead]

Woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah woah...woah.

Mike left?

I can't tell, are you trolling?

No, just making a lame Peter Griffin reference.

Carry on.

I got it

[rumborak]

Think of this way: say you and a girlfriend of many years broke up.  Now, of course you aren't gonna get over it just like that, but let's say the guy (who was shocked by the breakup) handles getting over it by making little comments here and there on his facebook page, knowing that friends of both will see them, and is frequently making not-so subtle remarks about how the breakup really wasn't his fault.  In a sense, he is trying to drum up support for his cause post-breakup (so his ex looks like the "bad guy," not him), and the constant comments are his way of saying he is not even close to getting over it, but they come off as bitter and angry.  That is essentially what Mike Portnoy is doing.  I am not saying he is wrong, because like I said, we all handle things differently, but maybe it isn't the best way to go about it, no?

Dude, I can tell you that if me or any of my friends did that post-breakup, our friends would tell them to shut the fuck up and quit whining (in those exact words, actually).

If your friends tell you to "shut the fuck up" when you try to talk to them about your problems and things that are upsetting you, then you have shitty friends.

It is rather bizarre though, but also in character, that he shares this with his fans. I mean, it's not exactly a secret that Mike is egocentric, everything is viewed extremely from his perspective. Same with the "founder" thing really.

rumborak

[ariich]

Yeah he's always been very open with the fans, expressing his feelings to us as though we were friends. Which I always thought was strange, because obviously we're not his friends, and so it is to be expected that some people won't be hugely respectful back, which sadly ends with him getting upset easily. You'd think he'd have learned by now, although it does seem as though he is finally getting it and somewhat withdrawing from internet activity.

[hefdaddy42]

Think of this way: say you and a girlfriend of many years broke up.  Now, of course you aren't gonna get over it just like that, but let's say the guy (who was shocked by the breakup) handles getting over it by making little comments here and there on his facebook page, knowing that friends of both will see them, and is frequently making not-so subtle remarks about how the breakup really wasn't his fault.  In a sense, he is trying to drum up support for his cause post-breakup (so his ex looks like the "bad guy," not him), and the constant comments are his way of saying he is not even close to getting over it, but they come off as bitter and angry.  That is essentially what Mike Portnoy is doing.  I am not saying he is wrong, because like I said, we all handle things differently, but maybe it isn't the best way to go about it, no?

Dude, I can tell you that if me or any of my friends did that post-breakup, our friends would tell them to shut the fuck up and quit whining (in those exact words, actually).

If your friends tell you to "shut the fuck up" when you try to talk to them about your problems and things that are upsetting you, then you have shitty friends.

Did you read his post, ariich?  He wasn't talking about talking to friends about your problems.  He was talking about posting shit on a facebook page, painting the other person in a negative light, knowing that friends of both would see that.  If I acted that shitty towards someone, and my friends let me slide without telling me how messed up that was, I would be worried about the quality of my friends.

[Kyo]

But there really is no guarantee that in a year from now, as MP wanted it, that he would still not experience the same feelings/issues that he had been. Clearly, he needed a break from the guys, but how long would it have lasted once they reconvened?

Exactly, and I'm sure the band saw this as a problem. It would be naive to believe
that after an arbitrarily chosen amount of time his excitement would have returned -
it might as well not have. And even if it did, maybe he would've felt the same again
just after one more album? The band not wanting to risk that and their subsequent
"we're doing this either way, come along for the ride or don't" stance makes sense.

[ariich]

Think of this way: say you and a girlfriend of many years broke up.  Now, of course you aren't gonna get over it just like that, but let's say the guy (who was shocked by the breakup) handles getting over it by making little comments here and there on his facebook page, knowing that friends of both will see them, and is frequently making not-so subtle remarks about how the breakup really wasn't his fault.  In a sense, he is trying to drum up support for his cause post-breakup (so his ex looks like the "bad guy," not him), and the constant comments are his way of saying he is not even close to getting over it, but they come off as bitter and angry.  That is essentially what Mike Portnoy is doing.  I am not saying he is wrong, because like I said, we all handle things differently, but maybe it isn't the best way to go about it, no?

Dude, I can tell you that if me or any of my friends did that post-breakup, our friends would tell them to shut the fuck up and quit whining (in those exact words, actually).

If your friends tell you to "shut the fuck up" when you try to talk to them about your problems and things that are upsetting you, then you have shitty friends.

Did you read his post, ariich?  He wasn't talking about talking to friends about your problems.  He was talking about posting shit on a facebook page, painting the other person in a negative light, knowing that friends of both would see that.  If I acted that shitty towards someone, and my friends let me slide without telling me how messed up that was, I would be worried about the quality of my friends.

Well I disagree entirely that that's what MP is doing. Aside from the ridiculous way he responded to JLB's interview (which was a mistake for which he apologised) I don't consider anything he's said to paint the rest of the band in a bad light, he's just talked about his feelings regarding the situation.

[lucky7]

I love keeping up with all the goings on, but it is becoming a soap opera, everybody is so passionate.
We are all showing what is wrong with the internet. You write something in the heat of the moment and before you know it your words are twisted, dissected and discussed weeks later.
Mike has been open for so long, and now he is paying the price.
I want Mike back in Dream Theater and I know it will happen...just not tomorrow.
But I wonder if once he does start reading from the sites again, will all these posts put the nail in the coffin for his return?!
I read one of the posts above that mentioned if you bumped into Mike in the street what would you say?
And it is so true, we hide behind the internet because it is so anonymous.
Now I must go and track down that magazine!

[pmahoney1337]

What I was never able to understand about MP is how he can expect the band to accept this break because he's, "tired and needs a break", when all the side projects HE chooses to do are some of the main factors in why he is tired. If MP never did a single side project he would never be in this situation. He set himself up. He should've known all these projects were going to catch up to him someday and get in the way of "his baby", being DT. How he can he expect sympathy from the band and his fans when it is entirely his fault. Sure he can say its the bands fault cause they went on without him (when they could've chose to take the break), but they are grown adults who understand what their goals are. They aren't going to let MP get in their way because he made a bunch of poor decisions.

[Setlist Scotty]

What I was never able to understand about MP is how he can expect the band to accept this break because he's, "tired and needs a break", when all the side projects HE chooses to do are some of the main factors in why he is tired. If MP never did a single side project he would never be in this situation. He set himself up. He should've known all these projects were going to catch up to him someday and get in the way of "his baby", being DT. How he can he expect sympathy from the band and his fans when it is entirely his fault. Sure he can say its the bands fault cause they went on without him (when they could've chose to take the break), but they are grown adults who understand what their goals are. They aren't going to let MP get in their way because he made a bunch of poor decisions.

Actually, I beg to differ. From how I see it and from what he's said, it's not the side projects that caused him to feel this way. Note that I didn't say that he has tired out in that he needs a break to relax from performing music - he just needs a break from DT so it doesn't feel tedious or like he's simply going thru the motions (which he also apparently thinks the other guys might be feeling, judging by how he commented that there didn't seem to be the comradery on the Maiden tour that there had been in the past).

Personally, and this is just speculation on my part, I think that what he saw (the other band members seemed to be distant from each other) was probably somewhat true. But I also think that a large part of what caused him to get burned out on DT is that he did so much for DT in those "off" periods of time when the other 4 guys would be enjoying the break with their families. Had MP taken an actual break - not working on official bootleg stuff, the next video, behind the scenes stuff, or anything else related to DT - perhaps he wouldn't have felt the burn out that he did.

[pmahoney1337]

I feel their is a reason why MP feels this way about the constant writing, recording and touring schedule while no other members do. The conclusion I have come to is that MP does too much, which is entirely his fault. I understand your point. Whether you read your comment or mine the bottom line is, MP did this to himself and their is no one else to blame.

[Ħ]

What I was never able to understand about MP is how he can expect the band to accept this break because he's, "tired and needs a break", when all the side projects HE chooses to do are some of the main factors in why he is tired. If MP never did a single side project he would never be in this situation. He set himself up. He should've known all these projects were going to catch up to him someday and get in the way of "his baby", being DT. How he can he expect sympathy from the band and his fans when it is entirely his fault. Sure he can say its the bands fault cause they went on without him (when they could've chose to take the break), but they are grown adults who understand what their goals are. They aren't going to let MP get in their way because he made a bunch of poor decisions.

Why do you have that in quotations?  He is tired and does need a break.  And DT is his baby.  You're mocking him for something that is, in fact, true.

[Setlist Scotty]

I feel their is a reason why MP feels this way about the constant writing, recording and touring schedule while no other members do. The conclusion I have come to is that MP does too much, which is entirely his fault. I understand your point. Whether you read your comment or mine the bottom line is, MP did this to himself and their is no one else to blame.

Ah - but therein lies another issue: had this been about MP doing stuff with other bands that caused his burnout, then it would be far more understandable why the other 4 guys decided to move on without him. BUT if what I suspect is true (that he burned himself out by doing too much for DT), then the other guys should be far more understanding, since they are most certainly benefiting (at the very least profiting) from all the hard work he did. If that is the case, then the other guys should give more consideration and leeway to MP's request.

That said, the other guys are not jerks, and I can't imagine that they wouldn't give him more leeway. So it's really hard to fully put a finger on the pulse of why they felt so strongly about continuing on, even if it meant MP would walk out the door.

[slycordinator]

and so it is to be expected that some people won't be hugely respectful back, which sadly ends with him getting upset easily.

He called a bunch of people ungrateful on his forum for merely having a discussion on whether it was legal for him to sell (auction off) his ipod full of songs while keeping the originals. And I seem to remember some of those people being banned for the altercation.

[pmahoney1337]

I feel their is a reason why MP feels this way about the constant writing, recording and touring schedule while no other members do. The conclusion I have come to is that MP does too much, which is entirely his fault. I understand your point. Whether you read your comment or mine the bottom line is, MP did this to himself and their is no one else to blame.

Ah - but therein lies another issue: had this been about MP doing stuff with other bands that caused his burnout, then it would be far more understandable why the other 4 guys decided to move on without him. BUT if what I suspect is true (that he burned himself out by doing too much for DT), then the other guys should be far more understanding, since they are most certainly benefiting (at the very least profiting) from all the hard work he did. If that is the case, then the other guys should give more consideration and leeway to MP's request.

That said, the other guys are not jerks, and I can't imagine that they wouldn't give him more leeway. So it's really hard to fully put a finger on the pulse of why they felt so strongly about continuing on, even if it meant MP would walk out the door.

Once again, I understand exactly what you mean. But still, you can't blame the other members of DT for wanting to go on without MP, that's what I'm getting at. MP got caught up in trying to do too much which got himself into this situation. Sure everything he did was for the good, but MP was never able to understand when he was getting way over his head as to what he could handle. He's looking for sympathy from everyone else when he shouldn't because he put himself in this situation. I completely understand why someone would feel sympathy for him, he did so much for DT and now this. It must be difficult for the other guys as well, but it's 4 vs 1 and MP is way out of the loop.

[pmahoney1337]

Why do you have that in quotations?  He is tired and does need a break.  And DT is his baby.  You're mocking him for something that is, in fact, true.

I put those quotes in because I felt that the side projects were the reason for him being tired and needing a break. Its unfair for the other members of DT to have to take a break they don't want because MP was doing things he didn't need to do. I wasn't mocking him, sure he is tired, it just seemed like he was tired for the wrong reasons. As for DT being his baby. Why does MP feel it is necessary to quit DT before he quits any of his other side projects. I know it is his baby, he did do so much for the band. But would you kick your child out of the house to take care one that is not your own? (I know this is a little over exagerated)

I'm not even sure how I feel about this whole situation anymore, I am just telling you how I felt about it when I wrote my original post.

[ariich]

and so it is to be expected that some people won't be hugely respectful back, which sadly ends with him getting upset easily.

He called a bunch of people ungrateful on his forum for merely having a discussion on whether it was legal for him to sell (auction off) his ipod full of songs while keeping the originals. And I seem to remember some of those people being banned for the altercation.

Selling copies of mp3s that you are keeping the originals of is, technically, piracy. I fail to see a problem with that, we wouldn't allow it here either.