Can someone explain to me why MP leaving would affect DT listening habits?

[Jamesman42]

Maybe I am totally off with this, but I am getting the impression that some people are lessening their DT listening time on purpose because of all of this "tension."

If that's true, why? I don't get the correlation at all. Does his leaving and all this press between MP and the band generate some kind of wrong note to you and you can't listen to DT as much until the dust settles a bit?

Thoughts?


ALSO: Wherever this discussion leads to, be respectful of MP and DT in this thread. I did not create this to spark any sort of bashing or anything. It's a curious question and is not intended for disrespect.

[Adami]

I can't think of anyone who is doing this.

[orcus116]

I can only see the real diehard MP fans doing this out of spite but it would honestly be silly for anyone to make that their reasoning. I know my own personal reasons for lessening any DT listening stems from diminishing interest in the genre.

[Jamesman42]

I dunno, I've seen some posts that suggest it. There are so many posts, though, that I can't really pinpoint where they are.

[The Letter M]

I can only see the real diehard MP fans doing this out of spite but it would honestly be silly for anyone to make that their reasoning. I know my own personal reasons for lessening any DT listening stems from diminishing interest in the genre.

I'd have to agree with this - I haven't been in a "heavy" mood over the last half-year. I've returned to more symphonic rock (a la Genesis, Yes, TFK, SB, etc.) and strayed less from heavier rock/metal (Rush, DT, PT, etc.). I'm not sure why, but it's just been how my musical moods have carried me over the last few months. I'm sure I'll get back into the heavier music in the coming months as my moods change with the seasons/time of year.

-Marc.

[orcus116]

My whole interest in prog in general isn't that high at all, tbh. I was debating starting a thread about it in GD but I didn't quite know how to word it. Not in any elitist way just in a more "man I used to love this stuff 3-4 years ago but now it just doesn't excite me" kinda way. It's not just DT either, if Riverside, Pain of Salvation, Ayreon, Spock's Beard, etc come up in my shuffle I just skip to the next track.

[OsMosis2259]

My whole interest in prog in general isn't that high at all, tbh. I was debating starting a thread about it in GD but I didn't quite know how to word it. Not in any elitist way just in a more "man I used to love this stuff 3-4 years ago but now it just doesn't excite me" kinda way. It's not just DT either, if Riverside, Pain of Salvation, Ayreon, Spock's Beard, etc come up in my shuffle I just skip to the next track.

yeah this is true...

I think around the time that a new album is going to be released then I'll start listening to the artist again.
I'm not really getting the "MP leaving affecting DT listening habits" thing though.

[The Letter M]

I think the absence of any official retail release from DT this past year might affect people's listening habits - without a current release, DT music is sort of "out of sight, out of mind" (and yes, I know I'm not counting "Raw Dog" as it was technically a single and part of a compilation - I meant something more along the lines of a full length album, studio or live).

Had there been some sort of live album or EP this year, I'm sure many of us would still have DT in our rotation, but without something "new" to listen to, we've probably rotated DT out for awhile.

I think those of us who listen to DT on a semi-regular basis (every few months for a few weeks at a time) have taken for granted that DT was under the Studio/Live release schedule for the last 7 years (TOT/LAB, 8VM/SCORE, SC/CIM), so we've gotten used to expected "new" DT every year, so we "gear up" for it by having DT rotate in (and out) of you listening habits.

I bet once May/June roll around, many of us will get back into DT to "gear up" for the summer release of DT11, and those of us who will see them on tour will continue listening to them. Of course, by summer's end, we'll all be listening to the new album, and as those months go by, we'll fade out, then they'll announce recording a show, and then 5-6 months later in 2012, we'll get their next live album (assuming they "stay on schedule" as before), and the cycle will repeat.

-Marc.

[JayOctavarium]

I bet once May/June roll around, many of us will get back into DT to "gear up" for the summer release of DT11, and those of us who will see them on tour will continue listening to them. Of course, by summer's end, we'll all be listening to the new album, and as those months go by, we'll fade out, then they'll announce recording a show, and then 5-6 months later in 2012, we'll get their next live album (assuming they "stay on schedule" as before), and the cycle will repeat.

-Marc.

This entire post = my thoughts exactly

[Zydar]

I know I have been listening a lot less to DT this year, mainly because I feel kind of "burnt out" on them since I listened to them so intensely during the previous 2-3 years. But I admit I also listened a lot less to them after I read about MPs departure. I don't know why, I just wasn't in the mood to listen to them for a while after that. Slowly I started again after a few weeks. Also because they haven't released anything new this year (Raw Dog? Meh...) to keep the interest up.

[Lowdz]

When MP left I went through a period of mourning where I couldn't listen to them for 3-4 weeks. I just couldn't face it because the whole thing to me felt like the break up of a relationship, and who wants to constantly keep seeing the girl that's just dumped them?
The last time I felt devastated like this over something so "trivial" to those who don't nderstand was when Kevin Keegan quit Liverpool to play in Germany in the late 70s. They replaced him with Kenny Dalglish. I'm hoping DT dind a Dalglish. (For our American friends this is a "proper" football reference).
As I got used to the idea, and checked out the drummers rumoured to be in with a shot of replacing the irreplacable, I felt alot better and was soon back to listening to DT regularly.
In the care I have a 5 disc changer and there is alwys at least 1 DT cd in there.
Even if DT11 sucks it's not going to affect my DT listening habits.

[Chino]

I actually didn't listen to DT much since SC came out. I got back into them a little when BCSL came out, but that was only for a while. This tension actually increased my listening time.

[skydivingninja]

I haven't listened to DT as much lately because of my interest in other bands and genres.  I did listen to them for a bit earlier this month though.  Just like Roger Waters' or Yes' drama don't decrease my listening time of Pink Floyd and Yes, the MP drama doesn't really affect my listening of DT.

[emindead]

I can't think of anyone who is doing this.

Some fanbois at somedrummer.com are vocal with this idea.

[TAC]

I think the absence of any official retail release from DT this past year might affect people's listening habits - without a current release, DT music is sort of "out of sight, out of mind" (and yes, I know I'm not counting "Raw Dog" as it was technically a single and part of a compilation - I meant something more along the lines of a full length album, studio or live).

Had there been some sort of live album or EP this year, I'm sure many of us would still have DT in our rotation, but without something "new" to listen to, we've probably rotated DT out for awhile.

I think those of us who listen to DT on a semi-regular basis (every few months for a few weeks at a time) have taken for granted that DT was under the Studio/Live release schedule for the last 7 years (TOT/LAB, 8VM/SCORE, SC/CIM), so we've gotten used to expected "new" DT every year, so we "gear up" for it by having DT rotate in (and out) of you listening habits.

I bet once May/June roll around, many of us will get back into DT to "gear up" for the summer release of DT11, and those of us who will see them on tour will continue listening to them. Of course, by summer's end, we'll all be listening to the new album, and as those months go by, we'll fade out, then they'll announce recording a show, and then 5-6 months later in 2012, we'll get their next live album (assuming they "stay on schedule" as before), and the cycle will repeat.

-Marc.

I agree with all of this.

[axeman90210]

I know my DT listening has dipped lately, but that's pretty much entirely due to me being so hooked on listening to Transatlantic nonstop. Like The Letter M said, I'm sure when a new release is imminent I'll get on another DT kick.

[Scrub206]

idk why but i usually skip dt songs on my play list.     .... all started after mp left . not being a dick either it just happened.

[Sigz]

orcus, nail, head, etc.

[Orbert]

I can't think of anyone who is doing this.

I don't know any of them personally, but there are people saying stuff like "I'll never listen to Dream Theater again.  Fuck them for not letting Mike back in."  Can't be bothered to find any right now, but I thought we'd all seen at least a few of those.

[bosk1]

I know my DT listening has dipped lately, but that's pretty much entirely due to me being so hooked on listening to Transatlantic nonstop. Like The Letter M said, I'm sure when a new release is imminent I'll get on another DT kick.

Yeah, same here.  I got into TA late in the game, and still did not really get into them very deeply until leadup to The Whirlwind.  So the last year or so with the tour and the live release have really pushed me into full-on TA mode.


EDIT:  Yeah, and what Orbert said.

[The Letter M]

I, too, have been listening to Transatlantic pretty heavily lately, between all their studio albums and live albums, as well as much of Neal and Roine's works as well. I've just been in that modern symphonic prog mood lately. It also probably helps that I've been doing the Spock's Beard and Neal Morse survivors in the P/S forum here, so those albums have been in my rotation queue a lot.

-Marc.

[RoeDent]

My opinion (before people say anything):

People who say 'Now MP's gone, I'm not gonna listen to DT anymore' are cutting off their nose to spite their face. If you do decide to avoid DT, especially if they were one of your favourite bands last August (for example), it's your loss.

[antigoon]

orcus, nail, head, etc.

This, except I know that unless it's really terrible, I'm going to listen to the new DT record a bunch. I'll get sick of it pretty quickly like I did with BC&SL, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

[ZBomber]

orcus, nail, head, etc.

This, except I know that unless it's really terrible, I'm going to listen to the new DT record a bunch. I'll get sick of it pretty quickly like I did with BC&SL, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

Yup. I don't think I'll be listening to much DT until they come back to MA on tour or the new album arrives, whichever comes first.

[King Postwhore]

When I worked on the dock, DT was motivational music for me so I listened to them quire a bit.  Like everybody else has said The Whirlwind is played daily for me.

[ytserush]

Nothing has changed for me.


If someone decides to change their listening habits for one reason or another, that's up to them.

Doesn't affect my enjoyment one way or another.

It's not something I considered.



Going back a bit, my Queensryche fandom took a major hit when DeGarmo left (but I'd still got all of the subsequent studio albums and all but one or two of the live ones.)

That's really the only time I could think of where the passion evaporated pretty quickly. Same thing happened with Marillion after Brave, but Fish was gone 5 years before so that case really doesn't apply.

Oh wait...just thought of one more. The original Asia lineup. Although I still love the third album when Howe left and the brief reformation in 1990.

[emindead]

I actually didn't listen to DT much since SC came out. I got back into them a little when BCSL came out, but that was only for a while. This tension actually increased my listening time.

Heh, I still remember you being one of the most vocals about DT never ever going to be the same and you were so disappointed.

DT Lesson #1: You'll always be open again.

[Super Dude]

I remember that in the immediate aftermath of MP's departure announcement, it was *weird* to listen to DT tracks and hear his drumming on them.  I can only describe why in imperfect ways that don't quite grasp it, but the closest I can come is saying that it was because I knew that the next time I heard those tracks live, he wouldn't be playing them.  It's like, many of the classic songs that he and the guys wrote, songs whose essence is inarguably Portnoy, Myung, Petrucci, etc., won't sound the same...or something.  I give up, I have jetlag and I woke up at 2 a.m. today, maybe someone else who got the same vibe can help me out here?

[lucky7]

I must say now listening to them, I wonder what their new drummer will add to their sound, it is a little depressing to think no more Mike, even more so if you watch old dvds.
But we do have a great back catalogue, I listen to them just as much, and I really fell in love with a change of seasons recently, so I think overall a little less than usual but still more than Vai and Satriaini who are my all time faves.

[MetalMike06]

I remember that in the immediate aftermath of MP's departure announcement, it was *weird* to listen to DT tracks and hear his drumming on them.  I can only describe why in imperfect ways that don't quite grasp it, but the closest I can come is saying that it was because I knew that the next time I heard those tracks live, he wouldn't be playing them.  It's like, many of the classic songs that he and the guys wrote, songs whose essence is inarguably Portnoy, Myung, Petrucci, etc., won't sound the same...or something.  I give up, I have jetlag and I woke up at 2 a.m. today, maybe someone else who got the same vibe can help me out here?

My EXACT feelings. Immediately after hearing about Portnoy's departure, listening to DT was like listening to Queen (knowing there's no Freddie). I guess that's an exaggeration because Freddie personified Queen a lot more heavily than Portnoy does with DT, but that's the general feeling I had. It was disheartening to know I wouldn't be seeing the classic lineup play those classic songs anymore (though of course we don't know that with certainty).

My optimism has grown with some time though, so we'll see.

[Nekov]

At least for me when MP left DT i felt disappointed. He was my favorite member of the band and the thought of not seeing him anymore on stage was really crushing.
After a couple of days I realized that was no reason to stop listening to them so I got at it again but I am not sure whether I will go see them on their next tour.

[YtseBitsySpider]

nothing has changed for me
they hold a special place in my heart
I listen to them when I need to
I will listen to whatever new musical devilery they come up with

[lithium112]

I feel like it's actually been the opposite for me. From late spring going into summer of 2010 I was getting into other bands (BTBAM, Periphery, Tesseract, etc.) way more than DT. When the MP announcement came though, I started reading DT newsboards (mostly DTF) much more frequently and reading through all the threads (MP and non-MP related) has inspired me to start listening to them a lot recently and sort of rediscover the magic of the band.

[pain of occupation]

it can easily be explained...fanboy-ism. actually, i dont see how it can be surprising that some fans would have strong 'listening reactions' one way or the other.

not that i listen to dream theater all the time in recent years, but when MP left, i was feeling kinda devastated. i dont even consider them my favorite band anymore, yet somehow im still a bigger fanboy for DT than any of the bands i listen to more now...when the news hit, i went on MP hiatus (which kinda sucked, as i was on a major transatlantic kick at the time); i waited close to two months before spinning transatlan again, and three months to the day before i spun any DT or LTE. and in the end, i think the hiatus was a good thing with or without the excuse of a reason, as ive been listening these last 3 weeks with a renewed vigor/appreciation.

all that being said, i can just as easily see a fanboy doing the exact opposite and spinning DT for 24 hours straight as soon as the news broke. perhaps if my mindset/mood was slightly different that day, this woulda been my reaction. 

[Bone_Daddy]

When MP left I went through a period of mourning

No offense but... for real?