The Illusive, Reclusive Mr. John Myung

[WildeSilas]

My first time posting a new topic here. I've lurked for about a year but this particular issue is what prompted me to join up so I could ask the question. I can't find any discussion of it using the search feature.

Where the hell is John Myung?

I just finished watching most of the videos on JR's youtube channel, which date back a few years. Aside from meet and greets, I saw JM ONE (1) time actually present with the band doing something not DT related. They were ordering desert at a restaurant and he was immersed in his phone (texting or something).

I know the guy is private. He doesn't like interviews, and he doesn't like the camera. I get that. But then MP makes a comment after leaving that "one guy hasn't even sat in the same room with us for several years now," to which JR responded, "how is that different from when I first joined the band?"

WAHT

Does JM simply not like the other DT guys? You'd think he'd at least be sitting with them at McD's or out sight-seeing in Europe, or riding in the same car every once in awhile. Is this truly a situation where he purposely avoids contact with the other members, or does it just appear that way because he's camera shy and JR never catches him on film? Those quotes from MP and JR are both very telling and very troubling to me. I don't understand the relationship and I feel like I've missed something important. If he despises the very presence of the other guys, why is he even in the band? I know that can't be it, but someone please point me to some information, or at least informed speculation.

[JayOctavarium]

Don't question it... the answers are too complex for our mortal brains to comprehend.

[JediKnight1969]

Don't question it... the answers are too complex for our mortal brains to comprehend.

THIS.

Just worship the Bongo Man as we all do.

[Ħ]

Maybe that is true, but he really seems to be involved now....he spoke up several times in the drummer documentary, and he's writing lyrics now.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Your questions trascend what complex analysis and modern physics can explain. Do not go there, you might never come back.

[WildeSilas]

He obviously is invested in the band, and speaks up when it's important. Why won't he just go have a cheeseburger with his mates? Are they such terrible humans that he can't descend to meet them on the mortal plain? I realize it's a long way down for him, but c'mon. Even gods dwell with man from time to time.

[reneranucci]

IMO he has become more and more introverted as time passes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I respect him and he looks like a really nice guy overall.

What I really like is that within the chemistry of DT, there's a comfortable zone for JM. The other guys seem to really get along really well with his distant bandmate, give him his own space, and just let him be. When he has something to say, they listen. When he's silent, they leave him alone. I've never seen any of them doing or saying anything that could make me think that they feel akward in his company. And the same with JM, he seems completely comfortable around the mortal guys, in his own dimension but comfortable.

[JayOctavarium]

ive got another one...


You would be quiet too if you have assassinated as many people as JMX... master ninja assassin...

[E.S.]

He only takes human form when it's time to play.

[TAC]

Based on his comments in the Audition video, he certainly seems more energized now, doesn't he?

[jamhet]

He's an extremely introvert and antisocial person.
Too bad they've never really evaluated whether Myung fitted the band on a personal level or not. He may not, but since Petrucci and Portnoy started the band with Myung, that has never been something to discuss.

From an outside perspective, his personality fits the band, because it avoids there being too many egos on board: Portnoy has been the manager of the band, Petrucci and Rudess the main composers.

However, I can imagine being tired of a person you don't get to socialize with much, because he constantly alienates himself and doesn't offer much support when you'd need it, sometimes it's hard when that one person does just not laugh at the same jokes. This may not neccessarily be a big thing, but may accumulate to something larger over many years.

[Sixtease]

Nothing against speculation based on just bits of info in general, especially on DTF the craft of speculating is great. But to interpolate what interpersonal relationship they have, and what feelings are among them, that's absurd. You can't really do that if you've never been with them, observed them personally for some time together. Assuming that JMX doesn't support the guys when they need it is ridiculous -- how did you come to that?

[WildeSilas]

I'm not really jumping to that conclusion, I just don't know *what* to think about what I've seen. I always assumed he was quietly hanging in the background, more serious about practicing, and more conservative when it came to goofing around in the dressing rooms and whatnot - just generally taking everything more seriously than the other guys. Obviously he supports them and is invested on a professional level. I was encouraged by his mention of jamming with JP like "in the old days" on the drummer documentary. And I really don't want to speculate on the nature of the relationship.

However, after his glaring and abject absence in Jordan's videos, it's difficult not to conclude that his relationship with DT is much more professional than personal. Especially with the comments about him not "sitting in the same room" with the other members since before JR joined the band. I could understand if they were all hanging out when not on tour and he preferred being with his family. But in the case of Jordan's video, the guys are out eating before a gig or at the airport and he's nowhere to be found. That leads me to believe that he either travels alone (and we know he doesn't) doesn't eat, or purposely chooses to not accompany them the majority of the time in day-to-day happenings. Maybe he isolates himself so he doesn't get sick of the group or something.

Either way, in my head I'm trying to draw the line between coincidental absence and purposeful absence and it seems like the latter to me, based on MP and JR's statements, and the dozens of JR videos where JM would have had to go out of his way to *not* be present with the other members.

[ZirconBlue]

He's an extremely introvert and antisocial person.

He may be an introverted, quiet person, but he is in no way "antisocial". 

[Infinite Cactus]

I'm pretty sure I've seen many videos where he is present. I just feel like he's always been quiet, and on the road where you spend all of your time on a bus, plane, or on the stage maybe that's just his way of maintaining distance and having some time alone in a situation that doesn't permit it very much. There are also a few videos where he is practicing in a dressing room while someone else is also practicing in there. It may seem weird but it also seems to work for them.

[ricky]

i think i've heard the guys say a couple times that he is indeed very talkative when away from the camera.

[reneranucci]

Too bad they've never really evaluated whether Myung fitted the band on a personal level or not.

Of course they did. They were friends in Berkley, spent a lot (and I mean a lot) of time together playing music, talking about music and going to concerts, and then decided to form a band. How does a friend not fit in your band?

[Raoul Sanchez]

He's an extremely introvert and antisocial person.

He may be an introverted, quiet person, but he is in no way "antisocial". 

This. Anti-social and unsocial mean two completely different things.

On topic, I don't know the guy beyond him being camera shy. But judging by the Labrie tackle he at least has a sense of humor about things, so I doubt his quietness is to do with disliking his band members.

[jamhet]

Too bad they've never really evaluated whether Myung fitted the band on a personal level or not.

Of course they did. They were friends in Berkley, spent a lot (and I mean a lot) of time together playing music, talking about music and going to concerts, and then decided to form a band.

Yes, but that was when they were teenagers. Twas 25 years ago. People grow up, people change. And relationships come to an end. Sometimes people are close, but over the years grow to be perfect strangers... That happens.

How does a friend not fit in your band?

How does someone fit your band only because he's your friend?
Alternatively:
How does someone fit your band only because he was your friend when you were kids and has stuck with you since?

[rumborak]

Elusive.

[bosk1]

i think i've heard the guys say a couple times that he is indeed very talkative when away from the camera.

How convenient.  How very convenient.

[jamhet]

i think i've heard the guys say a couple times that he is indeed very talkative when away from the camera.

Hmmm...

[DT's writing/rehearsing session]

Petruc: Hey, could we repeat the end of the section B again?
Jordan: You mean the 7/8 part?
Petruc: Yeah, yeah... I think there was something wrong with the chord progression.
Myung: Of course it was wrong...
Petruc: Right.
Myung: ...Jordan plays it wrong.
Jordan: Oh-key... so let's repeat it then.
[band plays]
Petruc: It worked now. I changed the melody bit.
Jordan: Yeah, it was nice
Myung: No, it still sucked.
LaBrie: I think it sounded well guys.
Myung: Oh, shut up James.
LaBrie: Sorry.
Myung: Alright. So let's move on to the next section.
Petruc: Don't we need to play it one more t--
Myung: No, we don't. Go, you start with the riff, John.
Petruc: Ah, okey. Jordan, are you ready?
Jordan: Gimme a se--
Myung: He's ready. Now play it, will ya.

[VioletS16]

i think i've heard the guys say a couple times that he is indeed very talkative when away from the camera.

Hmmm...

[DT's writing/rehearsing session]

Petruc: Hey, could we repeat the end of the section B again?
Jordan: You mean the 7/8 part?
Petruc: Yeah, yeah... I think there was something wrong with the chord progression.
Myung: Of course it was wrong...
Petruc: Right.
Myung: ...Jordan plays it wrong.
Jordan: Oh-key... so let's repeat it then.
[band plays]
Petruc: It worked now. I changed the melody bit.
Jordan: Yeah, it was nice
Myung: No, it still sucked.
LaBrie: I think it sounded well guys.
Myung: Oh, shut up James.
LaBrie: Sorry.
Myung: Alright. So let's move on to the next section.
Petruc: Don't we need to play it one more t--
Myung: No, we don't. Go, you start with the riff, John.
Petruc: Ah, okey. Jordan, are you ready?
Jordan: Gimme a se--
Myung: He's ready. Now play it, will ya.

How come everyone is called by their last name in this but Jordan?
Lol.
I like the "shut up james" part.

I think that it would not be nearly as fun if he *weren't* so introverted. Then it wouldn't be such huge news when he kicks a beach ball. (During Home!!!)

[TheMadgician]

I seem to remember hearing at one point (though this easily could be completely off) that Myung was a bit afraid of Portnoy. Supposedly Portnoy was, or had become, a bit of a bully to Myung. He apparently picked on him for being so quiet.

If this is actually true, it could be more that he simply didn't want to be around Portnoy, not the rest of the band. Now that Portnoys out of the picture, it does seem that Myung is happier, more outgoing, and more energized.

But again, this is purely speculation based on a rumor I heard once. So take it as you will.

[reneranucci]

Too bad they've never really evaluated whether Myung fitted the band on a personal level or not.

Of course they did. They were friends in Berkley, spent a lot (and I mean a lot) of time together playing music, talking about music and going to concerts, and then decided to form a band.

Yes, but that was when they were teenagers. Twas 25 years ago. People grow up, people change. And relationships come to an end. Sometimes people are close, but over the years grow to be perfect strangers... That happens.

When they were teenagers, they formed the band, and they did evaluate that Myung fitted. You say they didn't. You were wrong. Do you want them to do a revaluation every 5 years?

[jamhet]

When they were teenagers, they formed the band, and they did evaluate that Myung fitted.

Duh!

You say they didn't.

No, I don't. Read again.

Do you want them to do a revaluation every 5 years?

That's what every band does. Hell, that's what happens in every kind of relationship!
That's why band members leave bands, musicians get fired, bands disband, people get divorced or quit their jobs.

Portnoy revaluated and left. Too bad when it was someone else who could've been a faulty link in the chain...

[Jaffa]

I seem to remember hearing at one point (though this easily could be completely off) that Myung was a bit afraid of Portnoy. Supposedly Portnoy was, or had become, a bit of a bully to Myung. He apparently picked on him for being so quiet.

If this is actually true, it could be more that he simply didn't want to be around Portnoy, not the rest of the band. Now that Portnoys out of the picture, it does seem that Myung is happier, more outgoing, and more energized.

But again, this is purely speculation based on a rumor I heard once. So take it as you will.

I never heard that rumor, but I was still thinking the same thing.  If Myung has been quiet for a long time, and perks up when Portnoy leaves, that seems like a decent sign. 

[bosk1]

I seem to remember hearing at one point (though this easily could be completely off) that Myung was a bit afraid of Portnoy. Supposedly Portnoy was, or had become, a bit of a bully to Myung. He apparently picked on him for being so quiet.

If this is actually true, it could be more that he simply didn't want to be around Portnoy, not the rest of the band. Now that Portnoys out of the picture, it does seem that Myung is happier, more outgoing, and more energized.

But again, this is purely speculation based on a rumor I heard once. So take it as you will.

I've never heard anything to even remotely suggest that.

[Adami]

I seem to remember hearing at one point (though this easily could be completely off) that Myung was a bit afraid of Portnoy. Supposedly Portnoy was, or had become, a bit of a bully to Myung. He apparently picked on him for being so quiet.

If this is actually true, it could be more that he simply didn't want to be around Portnoy, not the rest of the band. Now that Portnoys out of the picture, it does seem that Myung is happier, more outgoing, and more energized.

But again, this is purely speculation based on a rumor I heard once. So take it as you will.

I've never heard anything to even remotely suggest that.

Actually he is right, he has heard that rumor. However, he heard that rumor from reading DTF and reading what other posters were saying without any evidence in the slightest.

[TheMadgician]

Actually I heard it from a friend of mine while were were discussing the recent change in band dynamic. He didn't mention a source and I didn't think to ask for one.

But at the same time, I can see it holding a kernel of truth. A very outgoing, outrageous, over the top personality (Portnoy) interacting with a very quiet, reserved, modest personality (Myung) and being, or becoming, put off by one another. I've seen and experienced it plenty of times before.

But once again, speculation.

[Ben_Jamin]

I agree. Being a quiet person myself around more Talkative people, they tend to pick on the quiet guy. Doesn't mean things are on bad terms.

He does have fun. Look at the SC dvd when he messes up in TDEN, and how he went with the joke that JM never makes a mistake, laughs then pretends to die.

[Ħ]

What was the story with him shutting down his website?  Maybe he is just a really sensitive person.

[ariich]

He obviously is invested in the band, and speaks up when it's important. Why won't he just go have a cheeseburger with his mates? Are they such terrible humans that he can't descend to meet them on the mortal plain? I realize it's a long way down for him, but c'mon. Even gods dwell with man from time to time.

Who on earth are you to say that he should want to socialise all the time? When they're out on tour he spends all of his time with them, he probably doesn't feel the need to have to go for a cheeseburger as well. Some people are quiter and more introverted than others, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[bosk1]

Yeah, I mean, I mod with ariich all the time.  If I had to have cheeseburgers with him on top of that, I'd probably try to take my own life.  But that doesn't mean I love him any less.

[Zydar]