Mike Portnoy on wanting to rejoin Dream Theater

[Kotowboy]

He was seeing a younger woman behind his wifes back - she kicked him out.

He tried to get back with her because his new flame was just using him.

Old wife said no - we've got a new husband now.

Mike blames divorce proceedings for making it impossible to renew marriage vows with previous spouse


or something... i'm not sure if a ring is involved...but drums are circular if that helps ? 

[bobs23]

Someday the truth about what happened post split might come out(but I highly doubt it) your poor opinion of MP might change a little. I do know enough that the DT guys didn't give him a cookie and send him on his way with smiles all around. Outside of so much time and DT making his name, why would he go back? I know in our world DT is one of the bggest bands on the planet. Ask the casual music listener about DT and you'll get a funny look, so there's no big draw for him outside of him being a founding member. He has made some great music in many different types of bands over the past 2 years. If he wants to play prog, he has TA and NM, metal - AMob, mainstream - FC and a couple of new projects coming down the pipe. I feel that ultimatly, MP's music outside DT will be more widely known that what he did within DT. MP has always been the open person of that group, ask a question and he will answer it, plain and simple. His latest answer included. Whether you feel he is whining or not is up to you guys, he just tells the truth. The DT guys seem happy where they are, and MP is happy where he is.

[TheKillingHand]

lolMikePortnoy

[Kotowboy]

Portnoy is anything but happy with where he is now.

All he ever does is mention how things would be if he hadn't left or if he ever went back.

[orcus116]

Aside from the intricacies of the legal stuff, I doubt there is any more truth left to be told. I can't speak for everyone but I get the impression that like a lot of people I feel there is very clear cut storyline of what happened, especially because a) we know the personalities of the key members involved and b) we know the series of events that occurred. I can't really think of anything that might have been obscured.

[slycordinator]

Someday the truth about what happened post split might come out(but I highly doubt it) your poor opinion of MP might change a little. I do know enough that the DT guys didn't give him a cookie and send him on his way with smiles all around.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that the way the split happened everyone was smiling and happy. They all described it as something they didn't want to have happen. But you know some truth that we don't and that it's not as rosy as we thought or something?

MP is happy where he is.

The fact that he's gone on facebook and specifically "liked" posts that were fairly anti-DT implies the opposite.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

MP is happy where he is.

The fact that he's gone on facebook and specifically "liked" posts that were fairly anti-DT implies the opposite.

To be fair, unless I missed something, that's quite a bit in the rearview mirror at this point. I think he's certainly more happy with where he is now than he was in, say, March 2011.

Also, I think the whole "He's acting like it's his decision" thing is really more because he was asked a leading question which he responded to with fairly bad/ambiguous phrasing. I think he knows that he can't just call the guys up and be like "I'm ready now!" because, you know, apparently he tried something like that in Nov/Dec 2010 and was soundly rebuffed. And it's not like anything in the DT camp since would lead to a different outcome.

Beyond that, though, obviously the all-caps rage comes off as pretty petty and uncalled for. I'm sure MP does have a side to the story, and I wouldn't doubt that somewhere in there is some legitimate sentiment, but he just can't go around doing things like this and expecting to be perceived positively, for a variety of reasons that I'm sure most of us are beyond familiar with by now. I'm curious to see what it'll be like when MP and JR are together at that thing next month, if any of these cracks will show or if everything will be smooth and happy.

[Pinga]

Aside from the intricacies of the legal stuff, I doubt there is any more truth left to be told. I can't speak for everyone but I get the impression that like a lot of people I feel there is very clear cut storyline of what happened, especially because a) we know the personalities of the key members involved and b) we know the series of events that occurred. I can't really think of anything that might have been obscured.

Agree, wholeheartedly. If anything is still shrouded behind the scenes, it is the official confirmation that MP was (is?) bitter at the band for not letting him back in, but all signs point to this being the case, and to nothing else going on.

[ColdFireYYZ]

Beyond that, though, obviously the all-caps rage comes off as pretty petty and uncalled for.

When he does Twitter Q&A sessions he answers all the questions in caps.

[Madman Shepherd]

I can't imagine what this behind the scenes stuff is. 

I know he can't sell his Dream Theater drum cam DVDs anymore.  Pretty soon after the split he had a "Cleaning out the closet" sale and sold them for half price or so.  In a recent Twitter Q&A someone asked if he would get more to sell (I didnt even realize he wasnt anymore) and MP responded something like, "Nope, I'm not allowed to sell the anymore."

So one can assume they basically said, "After a certain date you are no longer allowed to sell DT merchandise" whiiiiiiiiich, I mean....it's only fair. 

[?]

this whole "it's all about YOU, not me" attitude

Fixed.

I agree with those who think it's probably some legal stuff. Maybe he's not allowed to use the Dream Theater name in the advertising of his projects (i.e. " featuring Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater)") and he's pissed about that?

[wasteland]

I agree with those who think it's probably some legal stuff. Maybe he's not allowed to use the Dream Theater name in the advertising of his projects (i.e. " featuring Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater)") and he's pissed about that?

I'm not sure. Not that it would make any sense, Mike's name is almost as big as the band's in the prog metal scene. At the moment, at least. Which doesn't imply an equal number of fans or magnitude of income, but just an equality on the "Oh, yeah, I know this/these guy/s" level.

[?]

^Well, it was more of an example of what may have happened. And I have to disagree with you regarding MP's popularity on his own - I'm sure there are casual DT fans who probably don't care that much about who plays what, as long as the songs are good, but if they saw an AMob ad saying the band features a former member of DT, they might give the band a go based on that. I'm not saying the amount of this kind of people is that huge, but it's obvious that not everyone is a very dedicated fan. If MP doesn't get to use the "ex-Dream Theater" tag, he may lose some potential record buyers or concert goers. Since the current state of music business isn't particularly great and he's no longer in a band with an established and ever-growing fanbase, he needs to do his everything to make people notice his projects.

[wasteland]

You have a point. I underestimated the amount of casual DT fans, and the share of the market they make up.

[?]

Actually, I just realized that the new OSI album has a sticker on it saying it features Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater)! But then again, the previous OSI album stickers haven't mentioned Kevin's DT connection and MP was in the band for a much longer time so I don't know if his situation is different. Anyway, "behind the scenes" does make me think it has to be some kind of legal stuff.

[MoraWintersoul]

I have always operated on the thought that the split was a lot uglier than they made it out to be and that there was more to it than "we're sad he left, but the spirit carries on, I still love Mike"-sentiments they have confessed back then. But having seen a lot of MP's side of the story, I'm really glad the image DT presented to the press and fans was that of politeness, not talking back, just soldiering on and doing their own thing, but not without acknowledging their past and what they accomplished with MP. I lost my nerves with MP's outbreaks of temper enough as it is, I wouldn't have taken it so well if DT weren't, in their camp, with their actions, telling me, a fan, to calm the fuck down 'cos things are gonna be just fine.

When there's 25 years of history and when two sides want to walk separate ways, all bonds, professional and others, would have to be severed, sometimes violently, and sometimes unfairly, and in ways I can only guess. But I don't want to do more than guess. I have a feeling that what MP said about irrefutable damage is obviously true, and that they have done damage to him either emotionally or professionally or however. But he has done his share of damage as well. That's the way it's supposed to be when friends and professional partners part ways forever.

It's just that he spilled his emotional mess in the public - the Facebook thing, the plagiarism accusations, the angry statements, the deletion of Static Impulse discussion from his forum, the constant talking about what could have happened. He thinks, by being VERY open about it, and frequently when unasked, he told us what we wanted to know, and that whoever doesn't wanna listen, can just tune out. I'm a DT fan connected to other DT fans, and I've run across this news even without checking Mike's Twitter, on this forum and in DT's tag on Tumblr. And those who want to closely keep in touch with Mike's career cannot just tune out of all his online outlets either. And the most important part is that I don't wanna know. I just don't.

It's like he thinks he's the only one hurt by the split - I don't suppose that is actually his opinion, but he's acting like that. Hey, Mike, I don't wanna be reminded of that part of my life either. I love this band. I feel connected to them. And the last thing I want to see is the cracks showing. The "we had different opinions about the future of the band, we separated and we don't really talk much" was stressful and shocking enough, and what followed, from Mike's part, was far from getting a fresh start and creating a healthy environment, for yourself and your fans. And that was what we needed, and what we got, from DT's part, we were promised things were gonna be just fine, and they were. I might be perceived as selfish because of thinking of my own feelings - "for god's sake, the man just wants to vent". But I bet DT also wanted to vent, and they did, to other members of the band, to their families, friends, therapists, whoever. They just told us what we needed to know - that they were sad, and now they're happy, and moving on. By venting in front of his fans, MP provoked an emotional reaction from them as well, and my emotional reaction was being hurt and worried for the future, at first, and then annoyed, and then covering my ears with my hands because I just don't want to know. Which is what I am doing now. Statements like these two years down the road? I don't know, I just don't want to know, I'm sorry.

[Grinch]

I can't imagine what this behind the scenes stuff is. 

I know he can't sell his Dream Theater drum cam DVDs anymore.  Pretty soon after the split he had a "Cleaning out the closet" sale and sold them for half price or so.  In a recent Twitter Q&A someone asked if he would get more to sell (I didnt even realize he wasnt anymore) and MP responded something like, "Nope, I'm not allowed to sell the anymore."

So one can assume they basically said, "After a certain date you are no longer allowed to sell DT merchandise" whiiiiiiiiich, I mean....it's only fair.

Why isn't he allowed to sell drum cam DVDs anymore. He's credited for all of the songs he plays on those DVDs, so what the fuck is stopping him?

[KevShmev]

I do know enough that the DT guys didn't give him a cookie and send him on his way with smiles all around. 

That rarely happens with breakups.  Simply put, breakups are rarely friendly and all smiles.

  MP has always been the open person of that group, ask a question and he will answer it, plain and simple. His latest answer included.

Okay, but with his twitter Q&A, he doesn't have to answer every question thrown at him.  It's not like it's an interview where ducking the question would look curious.  Simply do not answer any questions about DT. 

  Whether you feel he is whining or not is up to you guys, he just tells the truth. 

I think enough has happened over the years where many of us now realize that he speaks "his version" of the truth rather than the 100% God's honest truth.

Why isn't he allowed to sell drum cam DVDs anymore. He's credited for all of the songs he plays on those DVDs, so what the fuck is stopping him?

Since he is no longer a member of the band, he probably lost his right to sell anything under the guise of him being a current member of the band.  I am sure those with more of a legal background can explain the particulars better than I can.

[Kotowboy]

Probably the same reason he can't go on tour as "Dream Theater" with Sherinian and Dominici .

[Madman Shepherd]

It's like he thinks he's the only one hurt by the split - I don't suppose that is actually his opinion, but he's acting like that. Hey, Mike, I don't wanna be reminded of that part of my life either. I love this band. I feel connected to them. And the last thing I want to see is the cracks showing. The "we had different opinions about the future of the band, we separated and we don't really talk much" was stressful and shocking enough, and what followed, from Mike's part, was far from getting a fresh start and creating a healthy environment, for yourself and your fans. And that was what we needed, and what we got, from DT's part, we were promised things were gonna be just fine, and they were. I might be perceived as selfish because of thinking of my own feelings - "for god's sake, the man just wants to vent". But I bet DT also wanted to vent, and they did, to other members of the band, to their families, friends, therapists, whoever. They just told us what we needed to know - that they were sad, and now they're happy, and moving on. By venting in front of his fans, MP provoked an emotional reaction from them as well, and my emotional reaction was being hurt and worried for the future, at first, and then annoyed, and then covering my ears with my hands because I just don't want to know. Which is what I am doing now. Statements like these two years down the road? I don't know, I just don't want to know, I'm sorry.

Great post, especially this last paragraph.  Which leads to the next statement of the day below....

  Whether you feel he is whining or not is up to you guys, he just tells the truth. 

I think enough has happened over the years where many of us now realize that he speaks "his version" of the truth rather than the 100% God's honest truth.

This is the big problem.  Mike refuses to accept any responsibility and pretty much says that it's his way or the highway.  The perfect example is when Blabbermouth took James's quote out of context about not being sad that Mike was out of the band.  How many times has Mike gone ape shit about Blabbermouth taking his words out of context and saying never to believe what they say.  He was actually just doing that again a few days ago.  He plays the victim and says, "How can a simple statement I made on twitter be a headline for a gossip website?!?" or something like that and make's no effort to either stop adding fuel to the fire or simply just accepting that it is what Blabbermouth will do. 

When Mike broke all of the rules he had set up about how to treat Blabbermouth and went on a deletion rampage on his forum and then was called out, Mike then, instead of apologizing, gave a non apology.  "I apologize to James for believing the out of context headline."  See?  He didn't apologize to James for reacting to quickly without thinking it through, he didn't apologize for deleting the threads, he apologized that he was fooled by Blabbermouth.  Translation: Once again, *I* am the victim. 



On a different note, when addressing the DT questions before, even a few months ago he would always say, "When the time is right" or "The ball is in their court" so I wonder if this is a recent revelation. 

[Kotowboy]

I think the most interesting part of this thread is the " Do we even care two years later ? "

The fact that he claims to be happy and has put it behind him yet still brings it up at every opportunity - tells a different story.

If things had gone on two year ago behind the scenes that did irreversible ( irrefutable means impossible to disprove - which is rich coming from MP ) damage  - then we should have been told about them 2 years ago.

And as other people keep saying - the rest of DT have been nothing but class acts - keeping quiet - refusing to hit back and just getting on with things.

It's odd that MP was the one who left and he's the most bitter. If he had been sacked without warning - maybe he'd have a case.

[Madman Shepherd]

If things had gone on two year ago behind the scenes that did irreversible ( irrefutable means impossible to disprove - which is rich coming from MP ) damage  - then we should have been told about them 2 years ago.

Well, I don't know if we *should* have been told but I do think its funny how much Mike divulges and then there is stuff he won't go into.  So we are left wondering, "Why are some things more sacred than others?"  Is he afraid of looking bad?  Obviously he isn't but then again, someone with his mentality thinks he hasn't done anything wrong so maybe there are things that are too specific and too personal or embarrassing that even Mike won't go into. 

It's just weird that I can imagine any one of the DT guys being asked about any specifics of the split and saying, "Ya know, I really don't want to go there" but with Mike, he would feel the need to spill it in some abstract way that makes him look good and the others bad without breaking any sort of confidentiality agreements. 

[ReaPsTA]

Anything MP isn't talking about is almost certainly because of legal business.

The thing is though, MP could still make his case if he wanted to.  If we know that MP isn't allowed to sell his drum cam DVDs or release anything from his DT archive, that already implies something bigger.  It's odd to me that MP never felt the need to write a statement about his current position relative to the band and have a lawyer go over it to make sure it's okay.

Really, MP's side would have been a lot of sympathetic if (a) He didn't post an article on his Facebook right after the split talking about how the band would have no heart and (b) he didn't give an interview with classic rock prog which is still one of the most shockingly rage-filled things I've ever read.

[rumborak]

Regarding the comment that Mike will eventually be known more for what he's done outside of DT, he better cracking soon. Flying Colors was good, but I don't think anybody will even remember AMob 10 years from now. Keep also in mind that the man is 45 years old; I can't think of any artist who restarted his career at that age.

[Kotowboy]

^ Being a drummer in DT was extremely lucky.

For that to happen twice would be virtually impossible.

[philmcson]

^ Being a drummer in DT was extremely lucky.

For that to happen twice would be virtually impossible.

On the other side, the question is whether the ultimate goal of success has to be to form another planetary appreciated prog metal band. I'd be equally glad if he'd join another great band he loves as a permanent replacement (for instance, Fates Warning, although they don't seem to have a drummer problem - I just wanted to give an example). Maybe his own goal/mission is to have as many projects now as possible to explore all "corners" of his creativity.

Just because he is the former drummer of DT imo it doesn't mean that his musical future should be measured on whether his projects/new band (if he's ever gonna unleash a new band, although he said he regards AdMob as his new "band" now, as far as I remember) are gonna overtrump DT..... if he'll be happy with his new releases (and if I as a listener and fan will be) I don't see a problem if he's never again gonna play the halls he filled with his former band....

[Kotowboy]

The way I see it - he's doing lots of different bands so he can release the Drum Cam and Live / Studio DVDs since quitting DT meant he has much less income  now.


Certainly - his recent frustration about his drum set up at the Sherinian & Sheehan gig shows that he's not happy having to make do with limited means.

[philmcson]

The way I see it - he's doing lots of different bands so he can release the Drum Cam and Live / Studio DVDs since quitting DT meant he has much less income  now.


Certainly - his recent frustration about his drum set up at the Sherinian & Sheehan gig shows that he's not happy having to make do with limited means.

Regarding the first - he was the guy who oversaw so much of DT's behind-the-scenes scenery, which wasted a great amount of his time. If all of this duties are now deleted from his schedule, maybe he now uses this free time to call up his friends he always wanted to play and tour with. Imo an equally likely assumption as yours....

About the second - to me it's a bit taken out of context. My drummer friends who aren't known even in their home town are also pissed off if the manager of their next venue says their drum set is very well equipped and when they and their band arrive it turns out that one tom is missing and there are only two cymbal stands..... If they had an agreement stating the drums would be equipped based on a certain description and that fails, then removing a fallen snare drum mic by an incompetent drum "tech" won't make it more bearable.....

[Kotowboy]

...Yes but you do the gig and finish the show.

You don't start insulting people from the stage.

[philmcson]

Anger management issues, possibly. But lots of hockey players do have them too, and hockey is still my favorite sport  Ok, but seriously, I wouldn't take this reaction as a measure of how deeply unhappy he is without DT. C'mon. Maybe it wasn't his day and then the tech misbehaved (honestly, how could he think removing the snare mic instead of reattaching it would be a smart solution  ) which gave him the rest.

[abydos]

If you can't tell the whole story then shut the fuck up, imo. "They did irreversible damage but I can't tell what it is so trust me, it's bad". He should hire a PR team and a good one too.

[Kotowboy]

More like : They did bad things but *I* tried to save the day. *I* did *MY* best to help *YOU*.

*I* didnt want this to happen, even though *I* instigated the entire thing. ...

[bobs23]

It seems most apperant that there are a number of forumers that are going to take every opportunity to point out every mis-step or percieved mis-step that Portnoy does and beat it into the ground dig it up and beat it some more. If you dislike his actions so much, why the need to comment? Of course this all goes away once he comes in and comments, and you all trip over yourselves to be first in line to lick his balls. 

[yeshaberto]

this is human nature, and especially when someone is in the limelight.  it makes us feel better if we can drag someone else down below us. 

[nikatapi]

It seems most apperant that there are a number of forumers that are going to take every opportunity to point out every mis-step or percieved mis-step that Portnoy does and beat it into the ground dig it up and beat it some more. If you dislike his actions so much, why the need to comment? Of course this all goes away once he comes in and comments, and you all trip over yourselves to be first in line to lick his balls. 

This is a forum, we can't only praise everything DT-related you know.
Once we think he is happy and moving on, he does something that rekindles the criticism. And it's the attitude that is the most annoying to me. If he is honest and open as he says, he should tell the whole story. It's not the first time he implies bad things about his former bandmates, the accusations of plagiarism are the best example.