New Interview with JP and JR

[Jamesman42]

https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-dream-theaters-john-petrucci-jordan-rudess-on-the-bands-future-442741

If this doesn't need this own thread, sorry.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

This is one of the most informative reviews I've read so far in this whole Portnoy/Mangini ordeal. Lots of insight. Nice stuff.

Also, finally an interview with interesting and previously unanswered questions. Props to the interviewer.

[jmbeat]

Very cool that the word "demo" was used by JP, I conclude that way more thought is going into DT11.

[Riceball]

That was a brilliant interview. I think thats the first time in a while I've gone through six pages of any article/interview and read every word.

As has been said, the questions were great but I think the candidness of the responses was even greater-er.

The bit I found most interesting was that JP wasn't keen on MP joining Avenged from the start, he was always uneasy with it. Wheres that list of JPs skills? We can add time travel to it now lol.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

The man was serious with the "don't let your drummer fill in for another band" thing. 

[Metabog]

Kind of sad reading about how MP tried to come back but it was too late, after JP told him it would turn out badly in the end. It's the kind of thing you should learn from, imo.

The fact that MM didn't write anything (not even his own drum parts?) is a bit worrying to me. I really hope the drums are interesting and not just a support instrument on this album.

[bosk1]

If this doesn't need this own thread, sorry.

No, it's fine.  I added it to the FAQ thread, but this is good so people can discuss it.

[Blazinarps]

Finally an interview with JR that doesn't focus on anything electronic.

[Metabog]

Finally an interview with JR that doesn't focus on anything electronic.

He was wearing an Apple hat though. 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Steve Jobs is preparing Jordan Rudess in body, mind and spirit so he can become his next vessel after he dies. His brain will be transfered to JR, and the legacy will continue.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Amazing interview. Read every word. I feel so bad for Portnoy though.

[millahh]

The fact that MM didn't write anything (not even his own drum parts?) is a bit worrying to me. I really hope the drums are interesting and not just a support instrument on this album.

They were very clear that he wrote his own drum parts   

It also sounds like they gave him room to do his own thing, as they talk about the crazy stuff he came up with.

[WildeSilas]

Wow. I've had so much emotion over this whole thing. It's good to hear a little more that the band's initial reaction was sadness, rather than anger. I also really hate that MP didn't get to stay with Avenged since it sounds like that's what he wanted. I think he's happy doing other things, but it just sucks that he didn't figure out he'd made a mistake earlier. I'm excited to hear DT with Mangini, but this really sheds some light on how difficult it's been for everyone involved.

[DeanTheater]

This is one of the most informative reviews I've read so far in this whole Portnoy/Mangini ordeal. Lots of insight. Nice stuff.

Also, finally an interview with interesting and previously unanswered questions. Props to the interviewer.

^^THIS.  
very revealing interview.  I wasnt aware that MP came back like that.  how sad. I am glad they didnt screw over Mangini in that situation.  What a tough situation that must have been.  That being said I couldnt be more excited about the possibilities

[blackngold29]

I get the feeling that about five years from now MP will come out and really reveal a lot of stuff. The way his offer to come back until now was like he didn't want to come back, but he would do it for the sake of the band. This is more sounding like he made a mistake and regrets leaving.

[Plasmastrike]

First of all, hats off to Music Radar for a great interview. I enjoyed reading every word. EDIT: Also, thx for posting this Jamesman.

Gotta say, I can't be anything but excited about the new album and upcoming concerts! JP and JR gave some really nice details into what's been going on lately on their side. It SEEMS like MM had some freedom with the drum parts. Here's to hoping he got to really add his touch

[yesrushdt]

Thanks for the heads up on this.  Great interview.  Bummer the album isn't coming out until September though.

[Perpetual Change]

I get the feeling that about five years from now MP will come out and really reveal a lot of stuff. The way his offer to come back until now was like he didn't want to come back, but he would do it for the sake of the band. This is more sounding like he made a mistake and regrets leaving.

Yeah, I totally noticed that.

Also, I thought this was really telling:

"It's true that Mike Portnoy was involved in all of those aspects. He covered a lot of ground. He enjoyed it, and he felt very controlling when it came to certain things. OK, he's not here now, so we know there's certain things that we have to do. Which we can do. We're very capable people. The fact that we didn't do those things in the past was simply because Mike wanted to.

[TL]

The fact that MM didn't write anything (not even his own drum parts?) is a bit worrying to me. I really hope the drums are interesting and not just a support instrument on this album.

Reading the interview, it's most likely that they simply didn't have him contribute beyond adding drum parts to the songs. Regardless, his level of involvement in the writing process is bound to be lower on this album than for any future ones. As good a chemistry as I'm sure they have, they'll probably want to refine it a bit before bringing him in on that aspect. As well, JP, JMX, JLB, and JR probably want to shape this new album in a very specific way. MM will probably be more involved on the next album.

[SystematicThought]

It's nice to hear their side of the story though. It really is. Although it sounds like they were talking and that Mike called them and they answered. Also nice to hear that JP does indeed want to mend the friendship

[emindead]

Of the seven drummers who auditioned on the webisodes, were there others who you considered and maybe reached out to that you didn't actually try out?

Petrucci: "There were a couple, but I don't really want to mention their names. The list was quite small. It might have been nine or 10."

Let the speculation begin!... again!

[Adami]

Of the seven drummers who auditioned on the webisodes, were there others who you considered and maybe reached out to that you didn't actually try out?

Petrucci: "There were a couple, but I don't really want to mention their names. The list was quite small. It might have been nine or 10."

Let the speculation begin!... again!

Oddly enough, earlier today that exact topic popped into my head, but I said to myself "nah, it would be a pointless topic".

[blackngold29]

Justin Beib... uhh, nevermind.

[Perpetual Change]

Zelany's probably one, and I'd save Gavin Harrison might have been another. That would make 9. Petrucci said the list was only 9-10.

[orcus116]

Great read. It'll be cool to see JP and JR in the spotlight more.

[contest_sanity]

In all the stuff Portnoy released after the events went down, did he ever mention he wanted to take a five year hiatus?  That large of an amount of time seems like a pretty crucial detail to leave out.  I mean, I can understand why he would want to leave it out because it weakens his position, but I'm sad that he chose to not be more forthright (assuming I'm not missing where he did say it openly).

[Ben_Jamin]

I'm more shocked he didn't want to ask the others to take control of some aspects that might have overwhelmed MP

[blackngold29]

Zelany's probably one, and I'd save Gavin Harrison might have been another. That would make 9. Petrucci said the list was only 9-10.

Zelany said he was not asked.

[Orbert]

Great interview!  It's like now that the announcement has been made, they feel like they can finally let people know everything that's been going on the past six months or more.

Lots of good questions and answers, and information we haven't heard before (five years?!) but the one question that they didn't ask: "What exactly was the reason or rationale behind waiting so long to make the announcement?  Were there legal issues?  Why the long wait after the decision had been made?"

[blackngold29]

"What exactly was the reason or rationale behind waiting so long to make the announcement? Why the long wait after the decision had been made?"

Multiple television stations showed interest in airing the documentary, they did not post any info until negotiations took place and (apparently) fell through.

[tri.ad]

Awesome interview, I enjoyed reading it very much. It was also refreshing to hear some details about the whole MP ordeal; now we know the perspective of both sides to some extent.

[KevShmev]

Also, I thought this was really telling:

"It's true that Mike Portnoy was involved in all of those aspects. He covered a lot of ground. He enjoyed it, and he felt very controlling when it came to certain things. OK, he's not here now, so we know there's certain things that we have to do. Which we can do. We're very capable people. The fact that we didn't do those things in the past was simply because Mike wanted to.

I've said that all along, every time someone tried to say that the band couldn't do all of the little extra things that Portnoy did.

But yeah, great interview.  Petrucci and Rudess both come off as total class acts.

And, like I have said before, no matter what you think of Mike Portnoy, you can't help but feel a bit sorry for him.  He realizes he made a huge mistake, but he realized it too late.  It is like when you break up with your girlfriend, but months later when you realize that you never should have done it, she is already with a new guy and happy as ever.  It is both a kick in the gut and something you will forever kick yourself for.

[Mladen]

Great interview. 

[RG93]

That interview was well-written, informative, and most importantly, concise!  x2

Did anyone notice that JP reacted positively to Music Radar's album title ideas? Does that mean the album title/cover art isn't finalized yet?

[Zydar]

Wow, great interview!