Mike Portnoy on wanting to rejoin Dream Theater

[King Postwhore]

I've been a fan since 1992 and I was upset at the break up but I'm personally not going to let it ruin my life.  I  will enjoy both music but for me, the band is in a better place.  Sometimes a break up is good.

[Miyazaki74]

I've been a fan since 1992 and I was upset at the break up but I'm personally not going to let it ruin my life.  I  will enjoy both music but for me, the band is in a better place.  Sometimes a break up is good.

Yea, I'm more of this mindset. I just don't care what either side says. It wouldn't bother me either if the situations were reversed and DT were the ones bashing MP and MP stayed quiet and took the high road. I guess I just care about the music they put out, and all this other stuff is just white noise to me.

[MoraWintersoul]

People act like he just dissed their mama.

But... but... Dream Theater is my mama.

In all seriousness... because we love the band and everything it stands for enough to dedicate extreme amounts heart-space to them? And those comments are the cholesterol clogging the channels of our heart-space. Some people, even though they love the band just as much or more aren't really sensitive to that sorta thing but that doesn't mean it's not a big deal to us.

[Podaar]

I'm fascinated by the emotional quotient in this thread. Do you think it's possible the reason is because music is a creative product or because the product invokes an emotional response in the consumer? I've never found the breakup, the band's responses or Mr. Portnoy's responses particularly compelling or even very interesting. But the defensive tone, picking sides, vitriol of some thread participants is! Mike's website has been particularly emotional over the years.

Let me give you an example of how I see the whole situation and maybe some of you can enlighten me on what I'm missing.

I'm in the business of equipment for the laundry and dry cleaning industries. I have three business partners and we all contribute to the overall success (or potential failure) of our business in different aspects of our industry. My role happens to be the Parts Sales end of the business while my other partners take care of service/installation, equipment sales and operations/marketing.

Suppose I'm suffering from burnout--I have been doing this for 34 years after all--and I propose that we shut down our joint enterprise for an undetermined amount of time while I try out a solo business of making custom jewelry (I'm a pretty decent hobbyist). Would it be the least bit controversial or emotionally significant to our customers if my partners just said no. That they would prefer to partner with another parts expert while continuing the profitable enterprise?

Now suppose I choose to leave anyway. I'm legally entitled to my share of undistributed earnings and the company cashes me out and sells my shares to a new partner. Considering our years together and our personal relationships this might be a little hard for me to personally swallow..."After all the things I've done for them, this is the thanks I get?" Wouldn't it be understandable if I developed the opinion that there is nothing they could do to entice me back?

And what about my partners, you couldn't really blame them for moving on could you?

Is it even in the realm of possibility that our customers would jump on a web forum and discuss the breakup? So what is the difference? Why are music consumers so emotionally invested in the suppliers?

I don't get it.

[Miyazaki74]

People act like he just dissed their mama.

But... but... Dream Theater is my mama.

In all seriousness... because we love the band and everything it stands for enough to dedicate extreme amounts heart-space to them? And that those comments are the cholesterol clogging the veins of our heart-space. Some people, even though they love the band just as much or more aren't really sensitive to that sorta thing but that doesn't mean it's not a big deal to us.

I guess another reason why it doesn't bother me when Mike goes off the cuff is because I still see him as part of the DT family.  The stuff that he says are like jabs that he is taking at his brothers. It's none of my business, it's up to him to work out whatever issues he has with them. But that's just me 

[King Postwhore]

Because of passion.  That's why we are called fans.  Short for fandom.

[Perpetual Change]

Because of passion.  That's why we are called fans.  Short for fandom.

Yeah, Poodar, "fans" are not the same as "customers".  As great as I'm sure your laundry equipment is, no one cares about it in a deep or sentimental way.

[slycordinator]

That quote puts an end to the discussion rather definitively.

No it doesn't, or else BMUBMD wouldn't exist on ADToE. Perhaps they put forth more of an effort to keep those influences from creeping in, but that didn't work completely.

Of course they put more effort. Hence, why the inspiration corner didn't influence most of the album...

I mean, I like Train of Thought but telling me that the influences that Metallica's style had on that album is no different than that on BMUBMD is just baffling to me. They're the same... but on different scales (orders of magnitude different, to me).


[edit]

[A big comparison of DT to a drycleaning/laundry parts business]

Different situations are different.

You leave some laundry company, become a jewlery guy, and they hire someone new for your position. Why would the customers join in on some "you vs the laundry company" thing? Because I've found that people don't become customers of a jewlery company because they dislike the new direction of their laundry services supplier.

The situation would be more similar if you joined a competing company, as music groups do compete for attention and money...

[Podaar]

Because of passion.  That's why we are called fans.  Short for fandom.

Yeah, Poodar, "fans" are not the same as "customers".  As great as I'm sure your laundry equipment is, no one cares about it in a deep or sentimental way.

So, Perceptual Chance, since I'm a "fan" of Dream Theater music and the Dream Theater musicians I'm supposed to care about their back room business interactions in a "deep or sentimental way" and loose all perspective of reality and adult relationships? I don't buy it. Like many of you, I own nearly their entire discography and connect with the music deeply. Still, I don't feel compelled to choose sides or project motivations on their actions based on my superficial knowledge of their situations.

Oh, and as far as my customers go? I've had business relationships with many of these people since before DT started making music together and I'm sure you are correct. My absence would be felt, but no one is going to shed a tear. So, my original question stands: What do you think the difference is? Is it just the nature of the product?

[theseoafs]

Yes. Music is not washers. We have a deep personal connection to the music, and we have a personal connection to the artists because we're their fans. I don't know what's so hard to understand about that.

[Podaar]

Yes. Music is not washers. We have a deep personal connection to the music, and we have a personal connection to the artists because we're their fans. I don't know what's so hard to understand about that.

I apologize fore my inability to communicate. I 100% agree with what you wrote above and understand it. I too, have a personal connection to the artists and their music. I wish them all the greatest of success so that my life can be enriched by their continued contributions to our music collections. What I can't find myself able to do is choose sides and condemn ANY of those involved for the way things turned out. MP, for example, seems to behave in a completely understandable and consistent way. I'm not surprised or disappointed in him. The same can be said for the current members of DT.

I'll drop it.

[Perpetual Change]

Oh, and as far as my customers go? I've had business relationships with many of these people since before DT started making music together and I'm sure you are correct. My absence would be felt, but no one is going to shed a tear. So, my original question stands: What do you think the difference is? Is it just the nature of the product?

Yes. Doing laundry is mundane. Bands, on the other hand, speak to us on lots of other levels. The music itself resonates with people various ways. Seeing a group of guys play together consistently stirs up good "band of brothers" type feelings eventually, making the band more than just musicians that play together, but almost like a sports team that people root for.  When one member of the band leaves and then can't help but broadcast his negative feelings despite agreeing to not talk about certain things publicly, it creates a spectacle for everyone inside the fandom arena. This changes the band in the perception of the fans. Fans, in turn, project all kind of frustrations back on the band and its members.

MP, for example, seems to behave in a completely understandable and consistent way. I'm not surprised or disappointed in him. The same can be said for the current members of DT.

Well, only one side of the equation ever even suggests that you should "take a side". DT have done nothing but try and keep fans excited about Dream Theater. They haven't tried to hurt MP's image in any way, shape, or form. JR even rec'd AMOB in an interview awhile back, which was amazingly diplomatic of him considering he doesn't even like that kind of music.

Between all MP's little public statements, his trashing of James' solo album, his liking posts that insult DT on his Facebook, and his taking a side in the whole Thiago ADTOE = I&W shit, I can't help but feel like he's been pulling at us to take HIS side. I have a friend who met him after a show a few months ago, and told me that Mike even seemed to not like it when he told Mike that, as a fan, he gets "the best of both worlds" now.

[CodyWanKenobi]

Not to mention him basically saying that JP copied Red's Feed The Machines with BMUBMD.

[bosk1]

Yes. Doing laundry is mundane.

You only say that because you've never done my laundry. 

[slycordinator]

So, Perceptual Chance, since I'm a "fan" of Dream Theater music and the Dream Theater musicians I'm supposed to care about their back room business interactions in a "deep or sentimental way" and loose all perspective of reality and adult relationships?

One who has actual perspective on adult relationships would have the understanding to not pose the question you just raised or at least not in the rude way you did. Were you unaware that adult relationships are supposed to involve tact? Furthermore, no one remotely implied that they think people should look at the business interactions in deep, sentimental ways (and MP deciding to leave the band isn't in exclusively a "back room business" matter).

Oh, and as far as my customers go? I've had business relationships with many of these people since before DT started making music together and I'm sure you are correct. My absence would be felt, but no one is going to shed a tear. So, my original question stands: What do you think the difference is? Is it just the nature of the product?

It's the nature of the product. Definitely. I find more connection to a good book than I ever would to, say, a random cashier at Barnes and Noble.

[King Postwhore]

Yes. Doing laundry is mundane.

You only say that because you've never done my laundry. 

It's a Jedi mind trick.  Don't fall for it.

[bosk1]

Yes. Doing laundry is mundane.

You only say that because you've never done my laundry. 

It's a Jedi mind trick.  Don't fall for it.

It's not a Jedi mind trick.  Fall for it.    Who'sGotItBetterThanUs?!

[jonnybaxy]

You say MP is the only one saying things? DT havent as a group but JLB sure has!

[Scorpion]

You say MP is the only one saying things? DT havent as a group but JLB sure has!

I never caught that, I'm afraid. Examples with sources, please?

[King Postwhore]

Yes. Doing laundry is mundane.

You only say that because you've never done my laundry. 

It's a Jedi mind trick.  Don't fall for it.

It's not a Jedi mind trick.  Fall for it.    Who'sGotItBetterThanUs?!

By your command.... *red eye left to right, right to left*

You say MP is the only one saying things? DT havent as a group but JLB sure has!

And again who cares?

[jonnybaxy]

Couldnt be bothered going back further but got this but there is worse plus the way he always goes on about how MP.will never be part of them again...

https://mobile.twitter.com/Piratecjs/status/246295896684380162

[theseoafs]

MP's done and said some pretty questionable stuff, but acknowledging the fact that MP will never be in DT again is not questionable. At all.

[jonnybaxy]

Unlikely but not impossible... Anything can happen

[MoraWintersoul]

I love that tweet. "Not gonna happen (as we have said MANY times must have been a part of his train of thought while tweeting that as well) but uhm have a nice birthday!"

[Madman Shepherd]

Is it even in the realm of possibility that our customers would jump on a web forum and discuss the breakup? So what is the difference? Why are music consumers so emotionally invested in the suppliers?

I don't get it.

Is it even in the realm of possibility that people would jump on a web forum at all to talk about your laundry business?

Is it in the realm of possibility that, say for instance, they actually did jump on a web forum to talk about it, would they would compare you and your business partners to Dream Theater or any band for that matter?

[hefdaddy42]

Couldnt be bothered going back further but got this but there is worse plus the way he always goes on about how MP.will never be part of them again...

https://mobile.twitter.com/Piratecjs/status/246295896684380162

This is nothing.

[Scorpion]

Couldnt be bothered going back further but got this but there is worse plus the way he always goes on about how MP.will never be part of them again...

https://mobile.twitter.com/Piratecjs/status/246295896684380162

This is nothing.

[Mladen]

Yep. It's not like he said ''The Portnoy thing will never happen. He has done some irrefutable damage behind the scenes.''

[Pinga]

Couldnt be bothered going back further but got this but there is worse plus the way he always goes on about how MP.will never be part of them again...

https://mobile.twitter.com/Piratecjs/status/246295896684380162

I think this clearly shows the herd mentality of hardcore MP fans.

[theseoafs]

Unlikely but not impossible... Anything can happen

lol alright buddy

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I mean, there was no real reason for James to throw that in there, but obviously, if he's going to comment on the situation, of course he (or any other band member for that matter) is going to make a statement that implies that the current membership of the band will stay the current membership of the band. I can't think of a whole lot of situations where a band member ever said anything that implied a lineup change was impending--they usually are just announced almost out of nowhere (though often times there are events that lead up to it, like with MP, or Geoff Tate). Such a statement would be nonsensical and counterproductive on numerous levels.

[yorost]

Couldnt be bothered going back further but got this but there is worse plus the way he always goes on about how MP.will never be part of them again...

https://mobile.twitter.com/Piratecjs/status/246295896684380162

I think this clearly shows the herd mentality of hardcore MP fans.

I don't get it.  It's a tweet about a birthday wish that won't happen, what's the herd mentality?

[Scorpion]

I think he meant that MP fans will construe anything into something that makes DT look less good and thus makes MP's actions look better.

Not that that is really herd mentality, though - it would only be it if MP had first condemned the tweet and then everyone jumped the bandwagon.

[Orbert]

Fanboy mentality, then?

[Scorpion]

Yeah, that works.