MIKE PORTNOY: I Tried To Rejoin DREAM THEATER But Was Rebuffed

[gmillerdrake]

JP, JM, JLB, JR - 1 2   MP - 0

Fixed

[wolfking]

JP, JM, JLB, JR - 1 2   MP - 0

Fixed

Ah ha, very true, I stand corrected. 

[Darkes7]

I won't even comment.

[BRGM]

You just did

[Darkes7]

Well... you may have a point.

[skydivingninja]

I agree with Reap and Rumborak.  Mike's forums were essentially the official DTF, his site is where we got all the updates, etc.  All the hype surrounding the band came from him, so I guess that yeah, when you're the public face of the band, people get the idea you are the band (for example, Hayley Williams is mostly seen as "Paramore" and no one else), and its entirely possible that idea got into MP's head as well.  

I'm very glad DT shut the door to him for right now.  If the new drummer leaves after a few years and MP is back in the mindset I'd be okay with him coming back, but right now, this is DT's moment to show the world that MP is not Dream Theater.  

One more thing: Mike left Dream Theater.  Can't be much clearer than that.

[rumborak]

You're basing a seriously exaggerated idea on something that has little chance of being true. Nice.

There's nothing exaggerated about the fact that DT gave him the complete cold shoulder. In fact, DT's response spells the following:

JM
JLB
JP
JR


rumborak

[LCArenas]

DT's tweets on December 25th:


JP-Amazing Christmas! Santa brought me another EB Music Man, a New Mesa/Boogie amp and lots'a fish!
JR-Guess which wizard received another iPad with an app creator and a beard included! THIS WIZARD!
JLB- Ol' Santa gave me sum new gold shuvel!
JMX- brb bass practice with my new 12-string
NewDrummer- Santa gave me a new drumkit! 3 Bass drums and Octobans included. AWESOME!
MP- COAL? HE GAVE ME COAL??!?? ALSO WHERE THE FUCK IS MY DRUMKIT

[IdoSC]

MP- COAL? HE GAVE ME COAL??!?? ALSO WHERE THE FUCK IS MY DRUMKIT

LIKE! F-ING LIKE!

[As I Am]

I'll be honest. I feel bad for the guy.

So do I. NOT that I agree with what he did, but a big part of me just wants things back together the way they were!

[Darkes7]

You're basing a seriously exaggerated idea on something that has little chance of being true. Nice.

There's nothing exaggerated about the fact that DT gave him the complete cold shoulder. In fact, DT's response spells the following:

JM
JLB
JP
JR


rumborak

What I meant is you're suggesting that:
a) he is power-obsessed or something, and he wanted to rule rather than just do a lot of stuff because he wanted to and felt very self-confident about it. I give 0,1% of probability to this.
b) he tried to put the band on hiatus not because he really felt he can't manage, but... in order to prove his power.

You may have worded it differently, but that's pretty much how it sounds. And sorry, but it's ridiculous.

I'll be honest. I feel bad for the guy.

So do I. NOT that I agree with what he did, but a big part of me just wants things back together the way they were!

I'd like it back the way it was in 110%.

[Raziel666]

So do I. NOT that I agree with what he did, but a big part of me just wants things back together the way they were!

Seems that almost everyone has come to the conclusion that 'things the way they were' (at least the several last years), weren't exactly described as a 'healthy situation' for all included. So, I wouldn't like MP back and see them going on from SC & BC&SL. Maybe we'd even get an 'bonus encore' song for the 12 Step A.A. Suite, which would recycle all the riffs used in the previous songs played backwards.

[Major Thirteenth]

I'll be honest. I feel bad for the guy.

So do I. NOT that I agree with what he did, but a big part of me just wants things back together the way they were!

I do not imagine he will ever be back. Too many mean things have been said. I think the hard feelings are pretty solidified. Plus I have to imagine that the new drummer is not going to be entitled to anywhere near the money that Mike would have received from income on the next and future albums and touring income. The remaining members of DT do get a big raise from here on in. I don't think they will easily let that go.

[farren]

I'd like it back the way it was in 110%.

Bridges: Burned.  MP for the most part emasculated the remaining members, and it could never be the same.

[Darkes7]

So do I. NOT that I agree with what he did, but a big part of me just wants things back together the way they were!

Seems that almost everyone has come to the conclusion that 'things the way they were' (at least the several last years), weren't exactly described as a 'healthy situation' for all included. So, I wouldn't like MP back and see them going on from SC & BC&SL. Maybe we'd even get an 'bonus encore' song for the 12 Step A.A. Suite, which would recycle all the riffs used in the previous songs played backwards.

The situation earlier was just perfect. I still remember leaving after the DT concert in Prague in 2009 and feeling that they just can't go wrong now, with sixth very consistent and strong album in a row and probably better live performances than ever. Well...

I'd like it back the way it was in 110%.

Bridges: Burned.  MP for the most part emasculated the remaining members, and it could never be the same.

It could be the same... more or less. Although now it's basically too late as they have already chosen a new drummer. I just wish it will be back to how it was some time in the future, I'll definitely try to accept the new DT but it will just never be the same for me. Dream Theater = Mike Portnoy on drums, that's how it's printed in my mind and it just can't be changed, I'll always see the new situation, even subconsciously, as something temporary.

[chrisbDTM]

 

[LTE777]

Mike wanted his cake and to eat it too,

He was in a new fresh band and was having fun and tried to have the best of both worlds and put it down to DT being stale to force a hiatus (at their second peak which most bands dont have).

A7X went sour as they did not want his baggage (Mike probably assumed he had at least next year until the band was ready to get a new drummer which he probably also thought they would ask him) and 3 months after suggesting he wants a multi year, unkown hiatus, he wants back in....realising that he no longer in in front of a big project, with a 'big band paying income'...LTE, HAIL, TA etc would not make hardly any money if not lose money.

Sorry Mike, although i can never imagine another drummer in your chair, I am 100% behind the DT guys at this stage...

I also believe there were some things have gone on in the background since that led to DT not communicating with Mike or having a lawyer communiccate back to him.

And im sure DT have been feeling this way for a long time but imagine the fan backlash for the headline (DT Drops MP)??  They realise this is their chance to be DT and not be Mike Portnoy's baby or new age hybrid version of Pantera for the new generation...
Why is it our business? Because Mike is trying to drag this out in a public forum, where the DT guys have not said one word about it, not on FB, not on their respective websites etc.

cant wait for new DT post MP but wish MP well for his future endeavours!!!

P.S. Its easy to get carried away with your posts and violate the rules, thats why i recomend to everyone to review or sit on your post before posting!!!

[Faustusmedea]

I can't wait til there is both Dream Theater and Mike Portnoy's Dream Theater. And a  long drawn out lawsuit/countersuit over the name. And countless reviews over who has done better since the split. And awkward moments when the members are reunited for some award ceremony. And transparent lyrics meant as daggers. And tattoo removal. And that record where members from both bands play on the same disc. And the court decision which forces Dream Theater to stop using the name. And the wives tweetfighting. And the Oprah episode... oh wait.

[skydivingninja]

So do I. NOT that I agree with what he did, but a big part of me just wants things back together the way they were!

Seems that almost everyone has come to the conclusion that 'things the way they were' (at least the several last years), weren't exactly described as a 'healthy situation' for all included. So, I wouldn't like MP back and see them going on from SC & BC&SL. Maybe we'd even get an 'bonus encore' song for the 12 Step A.A. Suite, which would recycle all the riffs used in the previous songs played backwards.

The situation earlier was just perfect. I still remember leaving after the DT concert in Prague in 2009 and feeling that they just can't go wrong now, with sixth very consistent and strong album in a row and probably better live performances than ever. Well...

First, off, subjective opinion time, SC is a horrible album.  Already there's something wrong with the way things were before.  
Second of all, not subjective opinion time, when you see a drummer putting a bass player down for wanting to go back to the old way of writing songs again, forcing rules that stifle creativity, limiting the singers' full potential, and making conscious tries to be "more metal" or "more melodic" or "more like classic DT," then you can be sure that not everything is perfect.  We assumed for a long time that is was, and the other guys were okay with it.  Clearly it wasn't perfect and MP just took a step too far.  I agree that they still put on a killer live show on PN (got Hollow Years, Voices, TCOT, and Metropolis at my show) though.

[ariich]

This is such a terrible thread.

First of all, why would anyone assume that he discussed the possibility of rejoining because he was dropped from A7X? It was first mentioned in that interview in a Dutch mag which was conducted back in November, which, as far as all the information suggests, was before the A7X situation arose. His recent post was simply confirming that information.

And as I posted in the other thread:

Is it just me or do most people fail really badly at reading comprehension?

From the sounds of it, MP hasn't changed his mind, he just wanted to go back to fix any personal issues the guys are having (he mentioned the fans as well, although I don't see what we should have to do with anything).

Also, the lawyer thing is slightly ambiguous, but the impression I get from what he said is that he started by speaking to the guys normally, but that the final decision was notified by the lawyer. Which is maybe not all that cool of the rest of the band, but it's certainly not an uncommon approach.

[Raziel666]

The situation earlier was just perfect. I still remember leaving after the DT concert in Prague in 2009 and feeling that they just can't go wrong now, with sixth very consistent and strong album in a row and probably better live performances than ever.

The situation wasn't perfect. It might seem as perfect, but the tensions in the band were there. At least, they were professional enough and didn't let them out and put great live shows, that I can't deny.

If by 'consistent' you mean 'more of the same' then I agree with you. DT had become stale the last several years. Personally speaking, the last album I enjoyed was 6DOIT. After that, with some exceptions here and there, there was nothing fresh, nothing innovative, no signs of the band I loved. I mean, blastbeats and grunts in a DT song? JMX, one of the greatest bassists of all time hardly audible in the mix? Also, JMX not being allowed to write lyrics just because someone thought of some bizarre rule? JLB not participating in the song-writing process anymore? (his last solo album shows that he has a lot to offer if allowed)

No, I'm not looking forward for DT to get back to a situation like that.

Edit: skydivingninja wrote his post while I was writing mine. Seems that we talk pretty much about the same things. Oh well!

[bosk1]

MP for the most part emasculated the remaining members

That's both highly insulting and highly inflammatory.  I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to convey, but I would highly advise you taking a reading through the forum rules.  Instulting band members, whether current or former, is against forum rules.

MP....please go away and grow up

See above.

[ricky]

is that a wookie in your avatar? i've been trying to figure out what it is.

[bosk1]

No.  This would be a wookie:   

[Major Thirteenth]

Bridges: Burned.  MP for the most part emasculated the remaining members, and it could never be the same.

Agreed. Mike at one point really insulted John Myung: "I mean, we have one band member that would literally not even sit in the same room with the rest of us for years now and we'd only see him on stage or at meet and greets ..."

Statements like this reveal that there was tremendous friction and negativity prior to Mike deciding to leave.

I think it is definitely time for a new chapter for all parties involved. Nothing lasts forever. I have also heard that John Myung is completely involved recently with new ideas and trading riffs and such and is a "new man", so to speak, with regard to the coming album and contributing ideas. So I am looking forward to this new phase.

And Mike seems to be getting psyched for 2011 now that the dust has settled, so I am sure in the Spring we will have new things to look forward to from him. All in all, this breakup needed to happen. Which is why it happened. I think it's a good thing for everyone.

And now, if all parties can move forward and do whatever it takes to get rid of the lawyers, the focus can resume on music and touring. Everybody goes broke and nothing happens if lawyers are a big part of what is happening.

[Loser1]

I've been lurking since this DT drama started to get a little silly, but I'll peek my head out one more time.

C'mon people. Get a grip. DT is just a band. A great band that changed my life in terms of musical taste.

Portnoy is a drummer - a great drummer for one of my favorite bands. He is/was in tune with the DT fans far more then he was required to be.

DT had great moments. They will have more. I enjoy their entire collection, old and new. I like them a lot. I loved the different directions DT went on their albums and live shows. I don't want Awake over and over. DT delivered every time by not pumping out what everyone expected. If you want consistency in albums, try AC/DC. You like one album, you'll like them all. They all sound the same. That is what set's DT apart from everyone. They aren't a cookie cutter band.

Portnoy quit the band. The band has a new drummer, and will carry on. Maybe Portnoy will return one day. Maybe not. I hope he does! DT without him doesn't sit right with me. Even if their new efforts are great, I'll still miss Mike, I admit it!

That is literally all there is to it. Anyone who puts much more thought into it then that needs to get a life. Seriously... Go outside, live life, and let this play out. Dream Theater is just a band. Get a f'in life people!

[farren]

MP for the most part emasculated the remaining members

That's both highly insulting and highly inflammatory.  I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to convey, but I would highly advise you taking a reading through the forum rules.  Instulting band members, whether current or former, is against forum rules.

Where's the insult?  That's how I view his post-split rhetoric about DT being his band, his baby, etc., and it's how I view his dominance over the band in general (such as alienating JM and then complaining about the guy who doesn't socialize with the rest of the group anymore while making the "stale" argument).  Did I call MP some horrible name?  Mike has admitted to being a control-freak (which is not an insult--Dave Mustaine is a control freak and I'd have it no other way).  MP, in his dominance over the band's direction, has not gradually emasculated JM or JLB?  With so much public now thanks to MP's "enhanced fan communication," the other guys would've been settling into a, possibly even more so, passive role by accepting his return after all of this.  The big before-and-after difference is this time it would all be public.  My subjective analysis.  No insults.

I was speaking figuratively.  I wasn't suggesting Mike is a mean man who castrated the other members with a rusty butter-knife.  That would be highly defamatory, and I don't even want to imagine the inflammation.

Edit: Well said, Major.

[bosk1]

If you have a question about a rule or the punishment you received for breaking a rule, PM or e-mail a moderator.

Have you even read the rules?  If not, I would suggest you do so.  I'm not going to sit here and debate with you about whether or not an insult is insulting.

[Perpetual Change]

Until Mike or a band member talk about the relationship, I don't think anyone's able to make any comment about where they are at. I wouldn't be surprised if things have considerably soured since, say, Rich Wilson's article, but we just don't know.

And I think Epicview is right. Mike wears his heart on his sleeve, and if you're going to read his posts just to find the one or two sentences that haven't been worded politely enough then you'll never run out of things to ridicule Mike for. But the question is, if that's the case, why even bother? I'm getting so sick of all the "grow the fuck up MP" kinda posts. The fact is, if you've got time to clock on DTF and speculate over whether Mike's being enough of a grown up for hours on end, you (and me) probably need that advice just as much as he does.

[LTE777]

Until Mike or a band member talk about the relationship, I don't think anyone's able to make any comment about where they are at. I wouldn't be surprised if things have considerably soured since, say, Rich Wilson's article, but we just don't know.

And I think Epicview is right. Mike wears his heart on his sleeve, and if you're going to read his posts just to find the one or two sentences that haven't been worded politely enough then you'll never run out of things to ridicule Mike for. But the question is, if that's the case, why even bother? I'm getting so sick of all the "grow the fuck up MP" kinda posts. The fact is, if you've got time to clock on DTF and speculate over whether Mike's being enough of a grown up for hours on end, you (and me) probably need that advice just as much as he does.

Good points!

[JasonScandopolous]

Bridges: Burned.  MP for the most part emasculated the remaining members, and it could never be the same.

I think it is definitely time for a new chapter for all parties involved. Nothing lasts forever. I have also heard that John Myung is completely involved recently with new ideas and trading riffs and such and is a "new man", so to speak, with regard to the coming album and contributing ideas. So I am looking forward to this new phase.

Where did you hear that about Myung

[TAC]

Until Mike or a band member talk about the relationship, I don't think anyone's able to make any comment about where they are at. I wouldn't be surprised if things have considerably soured since, say, Rich Wilson's article, but we just don't know.

And I think Epicview is right. Mike wears his heart on his sleeve, and if you're going to read his posts just to find the one or two sentences that haven't been worded politely enough then you'll never run out of things to ridicule Mike for. But the question is, if that's the case, why even bother? I'm getting so sick of all the "grow the fuck up MP" kinda posts. The fact is, if you've got time to clock on DTF and speculate over whether Mike's being enough of a grown up for hours on end, you (and me) probably need that advice just as much as he does.

Perp, Great post!