James LaBrie interview with Kyo, 2011-07-11

[MasterShakezula]

For my part, I just think it's irritating when people overanalyze every single thing a celebrity says and take it the worst way possible. So in threads where people are posting all of his Tweets and explaining why they're evil, I do sometimes feel like saying, "Dude, shut up."

I usually tend to agree. I don't try to over analyze or point out things that aren't there. I don't usually contribute to these discussions. I just found this one to be exceptionally lolworthy. Especially given two things.
1:He's allowed to agree with those comments but obviously we are allowed to think that's lame
2:The white knighting was almost so immediate it makes my head spin. And in this case, a lot of the white knighting is worse than James' comments by a good mile.

Wait, would you say my comments on this thread regarding Mike were white knighting?

[ariich]

if I'm pushed into choosing sides it's not going to be that one.

Why would anyone be pushed or forced into that? Everyone picking sides is doing so by choice.

[Infinite Cactus]

For my part, I just think it's irritating when people overanalyze every single thing a celebrity says and take it the worst way possible. So in threads where people are posting all of his Tweets and explaining why they're evil, I do sometimes feel like saying, "Dude, shut up."

I usually tend to agree. I don't try to over analyze or point out things that aren't there. I don't usually contribute to these discussions. I just found this one to be exceptionally lolworthy. Especially given two things.
1:He's allowed to agree with those comments but obviously we are allowed to think that's lame
2:The white knighting was almost so immediate it makes my head spin. And in this case, a lot of the white knighting is worse than James' comments by a good mile.

Wait, would you say my comments on this thread regarding Mike were white knighting?

No, but I don't really remember them all. Standing up for Mike is one thing. Expressing your displeasure at DT or Mike is a normal thing. Jumping on someone because they criticize Mike or DT or whoever and blindly following someone to the point that you believe that they can't do no wrong is more what I'm referring to. And granted it goes both ways with the over analyzing and the criticizing. But posting that "JAMES IS A USELESS TWAT MIKE DON'T LISTEN TO HIM YOU ARE BETTER THAN ALL OF THOSE ASSHOLES NO ONE CAN TOUCH YOU OR REPLACE YOU GOM GOM GOM" just because James said what he did is kind of nuts. I mean if that's how you want to be that's fine, I just don't get it. But like I said, I don't think I saw you do that.

[ReaPsTA]

Let's make one thing perfectly clear:
These are NOT "MP's Comments" as the thread title implies...  
These are FAN'S comments on Facebook....NOT MINE !!!!
*I* have purposely NOT personally commented on anything that has transpired in months...
I am merely observing what THE FAN'S are saying...
So do NOT put words in MY mouth!
They are allowed to have their opinions....(and I am allowed to agree with them if I do...)
But these are not MY comments!!

WHAT!?

On the other hand, it means I was right, so whatever.

EDIT:  Oh boy.  I saw the comment he threw his stamp of approval on.  This is getting depressingly ugly.

[robwebster]

if I'm pushed into choosing sides it's not going to be that one.

Why would anyone be pushed or forced into that? Everyone picking sides is doing so by choice.

Well, nobody's forced to, but if he forges a dividing line you'll either end up on one side or the other. It's not like I'll stop liking one or the other, but as soon as the band and Mike Portnoy become diametrically opposed, they then, by merit of the distinction, can't both be in the right. And if it's an issue, people will form opinions, and it becomes a point of contention.

If he were to make it a point of contention - and I'm not saying he has yet - it creates a narrative, and invites the, er, "consumer" of that narrative to form their own conclusion. If MP vilifies the band - and I'm not saying he has yet - it becomes a binary opposition, and you'll have an opinion on who's righter than who.

You can't have an opinion on a spat that's not happening, but even at the faintest murmur of one, people are already discussing whether they're for him or against him. It's the way the mind makes sense of conflict. Any conflict. It's either taking sides or abject disinterest.

I'm not talking about any kind of actual physical Mike Portnoy boycott, or anything broader than this insular little spat. Nothing as dramatic as that - a silly conflict wouldn't stop me listening to his music. Just talking within the context of events. It's a bit like making it into a popularity contest.

[MasterShakezula]

Hmm.. I guess overall in this "conflict", DT would be in the right, here, and do seem to be taking things more maturely, and such.  I don't think Mike realizes he's in the wrong, though, which kind of would make it difficult to get him to calm down. 

[Jaffa]

Agreeing with Rob.  I do my very best to give both MP and JLB the benefit of the doubt.  Anything that sounds negative, I try to chalk it up to emotions running wild over a tough breakup.  

But if they start directly attacking each other, there are three choices: stubbornly ignore their conflict, dismiss their conflict as unnecessary, or side with one of them.  And when two sides are attacking each other directly, it can become pretty difficult to ignore or dismiss, so choosing sides becomes if not inevitable, then at least likely.

[ReaPsTA]

I also can't pretend that I don't find this completely fascinating, and so there's a part of me that sort of hopes he carries on "liking."

I feel like my ego is satisfied.  At this point it's impossible to say MP isn't using the internet to sling shit at DT unless you're delusional.  I don't like seeing the bad blood.

[abydos]

Don't think James is bm'ing Mike, he is just confirming what many of us suspected and is being truthful about it, not giving us the PR talk anymore.

[ResultsMayVary]

Mike isn't fooling anyone with his latest statement. My respect for him has plummeted recently.

[chrisbDTM]

They are allowed to have their opinions....(and I am allowed to agree with them if I do...)
But these are not MY comments!!

the parenthesis part seals it for me.

lolMP

[Millais]

Portnoy has always struck me as possibly being very immature and attention-craving.

I think this is a good basic description of his primary flaw in character.  I believe that he generally means very well, and seeks to do good through his creations, I don't think he's quite self-aware, and often acts rather brashly, in order to get his way (ueually attention/recognition).  And as a result of his great desire for recognition and attention, and his naturally forceful way of seeking it, it's only inevitable that he ends up doing things/acting in a way that can end up being rude/reckless/polarizing.  There's also an obvious self-control issue, with the history of drug addiction, and the poorly-thought-out way some of his statements end up coming across.  I also would say that there would be a degree of insecurity in his mind, which could be the fuel behind his desire for recognition.

Still, unbalances aside, I'd say MP is a good guy in the grand scheme of things.  Just really, really, really, impulsive and lacking in self-control at times.  But I wouldn't doubt for a second that he's got plenty of goodness in his heart.  He really ought to be thinking before he speaks, though, if he wants to stay successful, as I'm betting that DT was the primary source of his income, and people aren't always going to work with an out-of-control guy, regardless of his high level of skill.  

this. i think the fact that mike liked this comment proves it. stupidly harsh and an immature thing of him to do. i have had a lot of respect for MP in the past but all of that is coming crumbling down now after what another poster called it - something a "14-15 year old teenager" would do.
"I look at it this way. James is a weak vocalist...period. He can barely hang onto a note and he sings beyond his range all the time. He comes into a song at the wrong time frequently. MP wore a lot of hats and played a huge role in the business of DT. If anyone else in the band wanted to step up and partake in the rigorous day to day shit then they should have and I'm sure MP would have let them. But they didn't and burned out the best drummer they would ever have."

[Millais]

Let's make one thing perfectly clear:
These are NOT "MP's Comments" as the thread title implies...  
These are FAN'S comments on Facebook....NOT MINE !!!!
*I* have purposely NOT personally commented on anything that has transpired in months...
I am merely observing what THE FAN'S are saying...
So do NOT put words in MY mouth!
They are allowed to have their opinions....(and I am allowed to agree with them if I do...)
But these are not MY comments!!

so basically it's not his comments but his opinion. what an, errm reasonable? defence method?!!

[MasterShakezula]

Portnoy has always struck me as possibly being very immature and attention-craving.

I think this is a good basic description of his primary flaw in character.  I believe that he generally means very well, and seeks to do good through his creations, I don't think he's quite self-aware, and often acts rather brashly, in order to get his way (ueually attention/recognition).  And as a result of his great desire for recognition and attention, and his naturally forceful way of seeking it, it's only inevitable that he ends up doing things/acting in a way that can end up being rude/reckless/polarizing.  There's also an obvious self-control issue, with the history of drug addiction, and the poorly-thought-out way some of his statements end up coming across.  I also would say that there would be a degree of insecurity in his mind, which could be the fuel behind his desire for recognition.

Still, unbalances aside, I'd say MP is a good guy in the grand scheme of things.  Just really, really, really, impulsive and lacking in self-control at times.  But I wouldn't doubt for a second that he's got plenty of goodness in his heart.  He really ought to be thinking before he speaks, though, if he wants to stay successful, as I'm betting that DT was the primary source of his income, and people aren't always going to work with an out-of-control guy, regardless of his high level of skill.  

this. i think the fact that mike liked this comment proves it. stupidly harsh and an immature thing of him to do. i have had a lot of respect for MP in the past but all of that is coming crumbling down now after what another poster called it - something a "14-15 year old teenager" would do.
"I look at it this way. James is a weak vocalist...period. He can barely hang onto a note and he sings beyond his range all the time. He comes into a song at the wrong time frequently. MP wore a lot of hats and played a huge role in the business of DT. If anyone else in the band wanted to step up and partake in the rigorous day to day shit then they should have and I'm sure MP would have let them. But they didn't and burned out the best drummer they would ever have."

Yeah, that's the sort of silly thing he ends up doing, as a knee jerk reaction to being enabled by the news to let his clearly lasting upset about being dropped get the better of him.  In the moment, there, MP believes that this sort of thing is justified and will being attention to him and make him feel better about himself.  Of course, it's clearly a rude thing to do from others' POV.  But he's too caught up in his little moment of frustration to know better, though this has happened a number of times now, these sorts of incidents.  Though I love Mike, it's getting a bit frustrating to see him continue to fall into the same sort of ruts that a much younger teen would normally end up in, and I hope, for his sake, that he can learn to take things a bit more slowly before acting, because this is going to be bringing it's share of woes upon him if it keeps on occurring.

[chrisbDTM]

so passive aggressive. he wants to let his feelings out, but afraid that all DT fans will turn on him and not worship adrenaline mob and future endeavors


of course these are not my comments, rather my opinions

[ReaPsTA]

so passive aggressive. he wants to let his feelings out, but afraid that all DT fans will turn on him and not worship adrenaline mob and future endeavors


of course these are not my comments, rather my opinions

Maybe.

Really, if he just came out and said "I think the new DT song is a hollow shell of the stuff the band did when I was a part of it.  I think Mangini is an inadequate replacement for me, and I think that JLB was the weak link in the band and his ego is getting the better of him," like, I'd hugely disagree, but what else can you say to someone who has an opinion.  This is just lame and sad.

It's like when he said in the Classic Rock prog interview that "one member" of the band wouldn't even interact with the others for days at a time.  Anyone who cared enough about the band to read that interview knew he was talking about Myung.  Just say it.  Don't act like a pussy.

[WildeSilas]

His actions also loudly belie his over-the-top insistence that he's on top of the world with his NM and Adrenaline Mob projects and just wants to move on. If that were the case, he would have soundly congratulated DT and MM on the new song, and the live performances, and would have wished them well in their future endeavors. Hell, that's what anyone with a shred of class would have done publicly, no matter how much the situation bothered them personally. I LOVE MP and all he has done, but I'm very disappointed in his immaturity right now. It's going to be even more sad if Adrenaline Mob doesn't hit it big like he's expecting it too (and I doubt it will - Orlando's guitar wankery isn't going to please anyone except rabid Ywengie fans - I can't stand to listen to it for more than a few seconds. Play an actual fucking riff for godsakes /off topic rant). I fear for MP's future career prospects.

[chrisbDTM]

i pretty much ignore MP. ill remember and love him as the first drummer of DT, but he needs to get over it. adrenaline mob is only good because of RA, dont get ahead of yourself. come out and say what your feeling about DT, stop this indirect social media crap i'd expect out of middle schoolers

[MasterShakezula]

His actions also loudly belie his over-the-top insistence that he's on top of the world with his NM and Adrenaline Mob projects and just wants to move on. If that were the case, he would have soundly congratulated DT and MM on the new song, and the live performances, and would have wished them well in their future endeavors. Hell, that's what anyone with a shred of class would have done publicly, no matter how much the situation bothered them personally. I LOVE MP and all he has done, but I'm very disappointed in his immaturity right now.

Very well said, WildeSilas.

There's no doubt that MP is an insecure man.  It was probably the case during his run with DT, possible his entire life, though since he was really successful with them and in a real good place for quite a while the last decade, it wouldn't have shown too much in the open.  But now that he's back essentially in the underground with a blank slate, his insecurities about himself and his abilities to make a mark are wide open.  I hope he does well with the new projects, not only because I am a MP fan, but also, this environment he's in, where his insecurities are really being allowed to wreck havoc is definitely going to prove harmful, if he's there too long.  

[Adami]

To be honest I can completely understand how MP feels.

I used to be in this band that I loved a great deal, it was and still is my favorite band that I had been in. At one point we reached a ...well.....point where either I had to leave or the bassist. And while I wrote most of the lyrics and a bit of the music, he wrote most of the music. So I left, knowing that they needed him more than me. They got a new drummer who I felt and still feel isn't half the drummer I am. He changed my parts, and played horribly as far as I am concerned. But what did I do?

I went to their shows and gave them my full support. I didn't badmouth them to anyone but my closest friends who were there for me. I didn't trash them online or do any passive aggressive nonsense. I treated them the way I would have wanted to be treated in that situation, and at no point do I want someone doing to me what MP is doing to them.

[j]

Okay but he still "Liked" them, and whether or not he actually said anything, his choice of "Likes" speaks just as loudly.

Good lord I just read through the thread on Portnoy's website (which I never visit), and it seems that people there don't understand this simple concept.  Pretty unbelievable some of the stuff they're saying over there.

-J

[Kotowboy]

I was in a band that was pretty much my whole life. And then the guitar player left to join another band and we broke up.  

But we're still good friends and I go and see them live and hang out before the gig.

And i'm ten years younger than MP

[Pols Voice]

Portnoy should really stay off the internet. How many times has he gotten in trouble over something he did on Twitter or Facebook? I miss the days before those sites existed. A lot of celebrities seem to get into hot water over their attention-grabbing, petty tweets and whatnot.

[MasterShakezula]

Portnoy should really stay off the internet. How many times has he gotten in trouble over something he did on Twitter or Facebook? I miss the days before those sites existed. A lot of celebrities seem to get into hot water over their attention-grabbing, petty tweets and whatnot.

I agree.  I fear that his temper/quick trigger finger could make him a prog-metal Chris-chan, if he doesn't take a break from mediums that bring out his insecurity so easily and let him react so bluntly.

[Jamesman42]

At least JLB can say something directly about a situation at some point soon after. MP hides behind the "likes" and passively shows his feelings and bad blood.

[Zook]

Sorry Mike, but if you "like" nasty comments thrown at James, it means you agree and it's something you would say yourself. Way to fail. That picture of you is one step closer to coming off my wall.

[Jamesman42]

[Zook]

That too lol

DAMNIT NICK.... MIKE!

[Perpetual Change]

It's strange to see a thread with so many people with only a couple dozen posts or so basically having the same disappointments I do. I tend to think that maybe talking with people online leads me to forming opinions more harsh than I intend, but in this case it seems like it's very obvious Mike just needs to really let go of this. He says he has, but then he asserts himself in some other way. It's like he's trying to see what he can get away with. It reminds me of this video:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4n4m4_news-reporter-freaks-out_fun

[TheGreatPretender]

so passive aggressive. he wants to let his feelings out, but afraid that all DT fans will turn on him and not worship adrenaline mob and future endeavors

He's not doing a very good job. Just by clicking "Like" on a few bullshit comments is more than enough. I respect him as a drummer only so far as to enjoy the older DT albums, but after the kinds of things he endorsed, I sure as hell won't be subsidizing The Adrenaline Mob.

[ResultsMayVary]

so passive aggressive. he wants to let his feelings out, but afraid that all DT fans will turn on him and not worship adrenaline mob and future endeavors

He's not doing a very good job. Just by clicking "Like" on a few bullshit comments is more than enough. I respect him as a drummer only so far as to enjoy the older DT albums, but after the kinds of things he endorsed, I sure as hell won't be subsidizing The Adrenaline Mob.

I agree with this.

[jmbeat]

Simple really, let's just ban any MP related material on this forum as easily as he shits on everything DT, "like" or not. He banned all those on his forum that spoke out against him. What's the difference?

[TheGreatPretender]

Simple really, let's just ban any MP related material on this forum as easily as he shits on everything DT, "like" or not. He banned all those on his forum that spoke out against him. What's the difference?

I hope you're being sarcastic. Because doing something like that would prove that we (or whoever invokes said ban) is just as immature as he is.

[Madman Shepherd]

I tried registering for this forum earlier in the year and never got a confirmation email so I just figured there was a "new member freeze" or something.  After the latest from MP and the reactions on his board, I really don't think i want to hang out there anymore.  So it turns out I was registered all along over here, and thank god, because most of the comments here have been very level headed.  

I always respected Mike even though I thought he was being a tad unfair to the other guys (James and JM specifically) but I also could take the bad with the good because he did awesome stuff for the fans.  Well, I am beyond that and am beginning to think it was more ego than an honest respect for the fans.  James stated his opinion in the most recent interview in the same manner Mike used to.  Maybe not the wisest to say it how he did but it was an honest opinion, and lets face it, most people seem to agree.  When Mike used to state a negative opinion about James, I didn't like it because I have always loved James but it was Mike's opinion so I let it go and continued to enjoy one of my favorite bands.

Now Mike is beyond passive aggressive and downright disrespectful and I've had enough.  Deleting threads about James's solo tour was one thing and I was willing to live with Mike's pseudo-apology (wasn't it something like "I apologize to James for believing the out of context headline"?  Gee Mike, you realize that's not an apology to James don't you).  But after this latest tantrum, I am not going to waste any more energy supporting Mike Portnoy.  I also love how he states he reached out to the guys to rejoin for the sake of having peace back in their lives.  Not because he missed them and made a mistake, not because he felt like they had several more chapters of awesome music to create together, but as he restated later, it was for the sake of having his band back.  Why do you think they didn't want to have you back?  

I'm happy this negative energy can be let out now cause in less than two months there is going to be a whole hell of a lot of awesome things going on in DT land and all my energy will go to supporting them in a positive way.  

Anyway, I've been lurking ever since I found out about this board shortly after the DT split.  Nice to finally post!

[Perpetual Change]

Yeah, that apology was really more of an "I'm sorry I made you guys upset," not, "I'm sorry for lashing out at James, which is why you guys are upset." I always took it as MP just not wanting his true feelings on the issue to go completely public, but I can't be sure now.