James LaBrie interview with Kyo, 2011-07-11

[Heretic]

If you're saying that was part of his "trying to look cool" ruse, then you're mistaken, A7X asked him personally to drum for them since, y'know, their drummer died. I don't think MP thought "Oh, man, a chance to play with a young, successful band!", I think he thought, "Well, geez, I like these guys a lot, and their drummer looked up to me as an idol. This is something I need to do."

Not that it really matters, but I don't think playing with A7X was Mike trying to prove himself to the world in any way.

Oh, and A7X > Disturbed.

I disagree... But anyway, did they also invite him to record their actual album? It's not so much that I think MP wanted to prove himself to anyone. It's more along the lines of wanting to be relevant with the younger guys, appealing to a younger, newer market, so to speak. I think it was somewhat obvious that he was HOPING that he'd continue to play with them, and become their new drummer. It wasn't until after they let him go that he tried to get back into DT.

Yeah, he was brought in to record the album initially, then they took him on tour as well.

And please, listen to "Sidewinder" or "Strength of the World" by A7X and perhaps you'll change your opinion a bit.

In any case, I really think Mike should just move on, realize that there's a lot more to be done in life than like comments that passively bash his ex-bandmates. He could be making amazing music in the time he's wasting on Facebook. 

[daykrush]

After reading the story on the MP forum and here, it's time for my first post here......( and it woundn't be the last)

I talked to MP after the Milan show with Transatlantic ( may 2010) and when I asked him a question about James doing a solo album he started a rant, I couldn't believe my ears and I was like....WTF!
I thought the  guys were in a band together! But I just witnessed a hell of a TA show so i thought.....let it be.
Untill the news came that MP left DT those words of MP starting to make sense to me.....It wasn't love between the two of them.
But now these days i'm getting a little sick of MP. Tweeting pictures of his new car, at the pool, at another pool, again at the pool and ofcourse in his home cinema. Showing of pretending he's having a blast! Tweeting all sort of post about Adrenalin Mob that I almost dislike the band before listenig to it.
No f*cking way, the man can't have a blast at this time because his former band is playing a succesfull tour through Europe.
And now he starts using the like button on FB......how low can you go.

Is this the man who's got the words Carpe Diem on his arm, who wrote the lyrics for one of the best DT songs ever: ACOS?
I've seen DT playing Holland last week and all i can say now is : Who the f#$% is MP!

Amen!

[Nick]

I saw some people getting upset about his car and house and crap on twitter and wtf? It's all stuff we've seen before in his drum DVDs and such, and with all the great projects he's involved with there is no reason he can't generally be happy right now. DT might be a sore subject but people thinking all he does is one grand show to get back at DT personally make me laugh.

[Storm Rider]

and when I asked him a question about James doing a solo album he started a rant

What exactly did MP say?

[Zook]

and when I asked him a question about James doing a solo album he started a rant

What exactly did MP say?

"yady yady yada James is a girly sounding poop nose yady yady yada"

[MasterShakezula]

and when I asked him a question about James doing a solo album he started a rant

What exactly did MP say?

"yady yady yada James is a girly sounding poop nose yady yady yada"

Hmm.. you know, I'm all for Mike doing a solo album of just him playing pieces for drums and drums only.

The perfect title?

Shut Up And Play Yer Drums! 

[daykrush]

What exactly did MP say?
[/quote]

He was very disrespectfull towards JLB, saying that JLB was the first ever artist who doesn't contribute to his own solo album and things like that.

[Zook]

and when I asked him a question about James doing a solo album he started a rant

What exactly did MP say?

"yady yady yada James is a girly sounding poop nose yady yady yada"

Hmm.. you know, I'm all for Mike doing a solo album of just him playing pieces for drums and drums only.

The perfect title?

Shut Up And Play Yer Drums! 

More like Assdrenaline Balls:




I love you Mike, but

Shut Up And Play Yer Drums! 

[dongringo]

I saw some people getting upset about his car and house and crap on twitter and wtf?

It shows a serious lack of humility. He is in essence bragging about his lot in life when so many people in the world really have it bad.

I for one am sick of seeing his material possessions and his carribean and disney vacations. I'm sick of him bragging about winning some drummer of the year status in some magazine and rubbing it in by saying stuff like, "The fans have spoken." We didn't hear anything like this from Myung when the fans chose him as the best bassist in the last 20 years. No, he was humble about it and knows his place in the universe.

My opinion is that he will continue to alienate the DT fans and all he will have left is his crazy, sycho DT haters on his facebook page.

I'm no longer following MP on twitter from this time forward. And I no longer care what he does.

[Zook]

I saw some people getting upset about his car and house and crap on twitter and wtf?

It shows a serious lack of humility. He is in essence bragging about his lot in life when so many people in the world really have it bad.

I for one am sick of seeing his material possessions and his carribean and disney vacations. I'm sick of him bragging about winning some drummer of the year status in some magazine and rubbing it in by saying stuff like, "The fans have spoken." We didn't hear anything like this from Myung when the fans chose him as the best bassist in the last 20 years. No, he was humble about it and knows his place in the universe.

My opinion is that he will continue to alienate the DT fans and all he will have left is his crazy, sycho DT haters on his facebook page.

I'm no longer following MP on twitter from this time forward. And I no longer care what he does.

Portnoy's worked his ass off to get where he is. I envy him too, but I don't think he's basically saying "nanny nanny poo poo" to the fans. If I got a new car, I'd want to show it off too.

[dongringo]

I saw some people getting upset about his car and house and crap on twitter and wtf?

It shows a serious lack of humility. He is in essence bragging about his lot in life when so many people in the world really have it bad.

I for one am sick of seeing his material possessions and his carribean and disney vacations. I'm sick of him bragging about winning some drummer of the year status in some magazine and rubbing it in by saying stuff like, "The fans have spoken." We didn't hear anything like this from Myung when the fans chose him as the best bassist in the last 20 years. No, he was humble about it and knows his place in the universe.

My opinion is that he will continue to alienate the DT fans and all he will have left is his crazy, sycho DT haters on his facebook page.

I'm no longer following MP on twitter from this time forward. And I no longer care what he does.

Portnoy's worked his ass off to get where he is. I envy him too, but I don't think he's basically saying "nanny nanny poo poo" to the fans. If I got a new car, I'd want to show it off too.

nanny nanny poo poo? 

[MasterShakezula]

I saw some people getting upset about his car and house and crap on twitter and wtf?

It shows a serious lack of humility. He is in essence bragging about his lot in life when so many people in the world really have it bad.

I for one am sick of seeing his material possessions and his carribean and disney vacations. I'm sick of him bragging about winning some drummer of the year status in some magazine and rubbing it in by saying stuff like, "The fans have spoken." We didn't hear anything like this from Myung when the fans chose him as the best bassist in the last 20 years. No, he was humble about it and knows his place in the universe.

My opinion is that he will continue to alienate the DT fans and all he will have left is his crazy, sycho DT haters on his facebook page.

I'm no longer following MP on twitter from this time forward. And I no longer care what he does.

Portnoy's worked his ass off to get where he is. I envy him too, but I don't think he's basically saying "nanny nanny poo poo" to the fans. If I got a new car, I'd want to show it off too.

nanny nanny poo poo? 

That would be for a title fit for MP's best instrumental work since LTE.

[Pinga]

What exactly did MP say?

He was very disrespectfull towards JLB, saying that JLB was the first ever artist who doesn't contribute to his own solo album and things like that.

[/quote]

I think this speaks volume of their respective approaches to producing music. JLB may not have written much of his own album, but he ensured that no superfluous stuff went in, and even put in some harsh vocals to give some of the songs a decidedly MDM feel. He had a clear vision of how the album was supposed to turn out and he didn't let his ego get in the way of music making, and the album turned out decent for it, unlike DT's most recent output.

[Madman Shepherd]

What exactly did MP say?

He was very disrespectfull towards JLB, saying that JLB was the first ever artist who doesn't contribute to his own solo album and things like that.

[/quote]

Holy crap!  What a friggin' dumb thing to say.  Ya know, I understand that James wasn't necessarily present for the writing of his album but would communicate with Matt Guillory about different directions to take the songs, or suggest a riff or something.  I also love that James is humble enough to split the lyrics with Matt 50/50.  this isn't James taking more credit than he is due, this is James saying "The only reason my name is on the front of the album is because there is more name recognition, but it is mostly an equal partnership."  From what I understand, that was reminiscent of Mike's role.  He didn't write riffs but would sometimes help arrange a song.  This dude is incredibly unhappy with something going on in his life.  

Regarding his showing off of stuff, I used to appreciate it.  Like the tour of his house on his DVD.  It wasn't overkill, it was mainly like "Hey, check out my collection I am extremely proud of."  Now its like, "My life is so great and I'm going to prove it to you!  I'm sitting by a pool!  I bought a new car!  My life rocks! "  Yeah Mike...

[Nick]

His attitude is like a plague.  I'm glad he is not around DT anymore. 

Tone it down.

And also, I'm in the crowd of, if I work my ass of and can afford nice things and vacations, I'd want to post about them to.

[WildeSilas]

Wtf? JLB said in the interview that he was doing solo albums because his input hasn't been welcome in DT - a problem that can be laid squarely at the feet of MP. I'm disgusted and I'm done. As for Adrenailne Mob, I think I'll survive without 60 minutes of Orlando Whatshisface beating off.

[Zook]

Wtf? JLB said in the interview that he was doing so albums because his input hasn't been welcome in DT - a problem that can be laid squarely at the feet of MP. I'm disgusted and I'm done. As for Adrenailne Mob, I think I'll survive without 60 minutes of Orlando Whatshisface beating off.

I'd rather have Russell Allen beati--- Nevermind.

[Madman Shepherd]

His attitude is like a plague.  I'm glad he is not around DT anymore. 

Tone it down.

And also, I'm in the crowd of, if I work my ass of and can afford nice things and vacations, I'd want to post about them to.

Sorry about that.  I deleted it.  It's not that he is just posting about them its how he is.  Like I said, he has gone from wanting to share things he is proud of to "Look how great my world is."

[KevShmev]

I think he is trying to portray that he is just fine and dandy without DT, but his passive-aggressive behavior with the Trunk retweet and all of these FB likes are showing his bitterness and anger. 

[Adami]

The best thing MP can do is get a 3rd party to run his facebook and twitter site. He tells them the updates and they take care of it. No more "liking" or anything of the kind unless that person thinks it's in the best interest of MP.

[daykrush]

Regarding his showing off of stuff, I used to appreciate it.  Like the tour of his house on his DVD.  It wasn't overkill, it was mainly like "Hey, check out my collection I am extremely proud of."  Now its like, "My life is so great and I'm going to prove it to you!  I'm sitting by a pool!  I bought a new car!  My life rocks! "  Yeah Mike...
[/quote]

This! ^

[BlackInk]

I don't post about my vacations anywhere. I mean honestly who would care except for my close friends and family and those I can show pictures to after or tell them about it.

[Jamesman42]

After all of this, I posted this on a FB post on MP's page:

Sorry Mike, I am unliking the AM page and your fanpage. The way you like certain comments that in any way bash DT really make me think different of you. That's your way of passively agreeing with those comments.
34 minutes ago ·  6 people (like this)

[DTGeek]

Portnoy's worked his ass off to get where he is. I envy him too, but I don't think he's basically saying "nanny nanny poo poo" to the fans. If I got a new car, I'd want to show it off too.

I don't think anyone here believes he's rubbing his wealth in fans' faces or trying to spite them.  But regardless of his motivations or whatever insecurities he has, he's still flaunting it, and that comes across as tacky and not exactly what you'd call high class.  A little humility is pretty important if you want to have a likable public persona.  I'm sure most celebrities including the DT members enjoy sharing details of their personal life like pictures of their new car and vacations.  The difference is they share those things with the people close to them, rather than broadcast them to thousands upon thousands of fans.

Anyway, if he wants to draw attention to himself in that way, that's his perogative -- but by using his fame to draw attention to HIMSELF and not HIS WORK, he's beginning to alienate all of the people who are fans because of the music.  And in the long run, that's going to make him a lot less irrelevant to a lot of people around here, which is kind of sad for those of us who've followed his career since back when most of the focus was on the music (joined the Ytsejam mailing list in 1995 here).  That's why people are making a big deal of something that to a casual observer wouldn't be.

[IronEarthTheater]

What I don't get is - who the Portnoy fans are?   I mean, I was a Portnoy fan while he was in DT, and was disappointed that he left.  But I don't understand who would be so pro-Portnoy that they would bash DT or James on Facebook.  I mean, I felt bad for the guy (this whole thing actually makes me feel even MORE sorry for him, since it's very clear to me that he really regrets his decision), but who would turn on James or DT?  For the most part, aren't Portnoy fans also DT fans?  Maybe I'm being naive, but this genuinely perplexes me.  I do understand that some people turned on DT a while ago when they stopped liking the albums, but I thought they mostly blamed Portnoy.  It doesn't matter really, I guess.  I just don't understand who this constituency is - and it can't be very big.  If he's not careful, he's going to lose the casual DT fan who would otherwise have continued to support his career...

[Jaffa]

What I don't get is - who the Portnoy fans are?   I mean, I was a Portnoy fan while he was in DT, and was disappointed that he left.  But I don't understand who would be so pro-Portnoy that they would bash DT or James on Facebook.  I mean, I felt bad for the guy (this whole thing actually makes me feel even MORE sorry for him, since it's very clear to me that he really regrets his decision), but who would turn on James or DT?  For the most part, aren't Portnoy fans also DT fans?  Maybe I'm being naive, but this genuinely perplexes me.  I do understand that some people turned on DT a while ago when they stopped liking the albums, but I thought they mostly blamed Portnoy.  It doesn't matter really, I guess.  I just don't understand who this constituency is - and it can't be very big.  If he's not careful, he's going to lose the casual DT fan who would otherwise have continued to support his career...

I think a lot of people were fans of Mike Portnoy's drumming more than they were fans of Dream Theater's music.  It's just, you wouldn't see THOSE fans here; they'd be on MP's forum.

[Perpetual Change]

After all of this, I posted this on a FB post on MP's page:

Sorry Mike, I am unliking the AM page and your fanpage. The way you like certain comments that in any way bash DT really make me think different of you. That's your way of passively agreeing with those comments.
34 minutes ago ·  6 people (like this)

Yeah. I posted this too. Actually, I just copied it from you

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Late to the party, I guess. Amazing how unlikeable Portnoy has become.

[ReaPsTA]

Late to the party, I guess. Amazing how unlikeable Portnoy has become.

It's his fault.  If he just had controversial opinions I wouldn't care so much.  If he thinks DT was all about him, Mangini's not good enough to replace him, and that JLB's a douche then just say it, I don't care.  It'd be a bummer to watch someone who would so cavalierly burn bridges with his former band mates and his friends, but that's not my business.  Take it or leave it.  Maybe I'd leave it, but it is what it is.

This whole "they're not MY words" thing incenses me for some reason.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Late to the party, I guess. Amazing how unlikeable Portnoy has become.

It's his fault.  If he just had controversial opinions I wouldn't care so much.  If he thinks DT was all about him, Mangini's not good enough to replace him, and that JLB's a douche then just say it, I don't care.  It'd be a bummer to watch someone who would so cavalierly burn bridges with his former band mates and his friends, but that's not my business.  Take it or leave it.  Maybe I'd leave it, but it is what it is.

This whole "they're not MY words" thing incenses me for some reason.

I'm not defending him, buddy!

But please, speak your mind!

I totally agree with you, BTW. Portnoy is acting like a teenager. It's become comical. I'm not trying to be all high and mighty - although there's probably no way of avoiding it here - but I would never say the things he has said. He has burned bridges and acted immaturely so casually it's almost frightening.

He has become totally unlikeable as a person. I no longer feel any sympathy for him.

[Perpetual Change]

Late to the party, I guess. Amazing how unlikeable Portnoy has become.

Unfortunately, that's what I'm going through now. I like Mike and he would be in my top 5 drummers ever, but it was always so much easier to stomach this kinda stuff when Mike would be acting this way to someone outside the band: Prater, Tate, or whoever. Because Mike may have been a bit of a lose-cannon, but he was still our guy on our side.

When he acts the way he's always acted to the guys in the band, it's a lot harder to stay on his side as well.  

[Infinite Cactus]

Late to the party, I guess. Amazing how unlikeable Portnoy has become.

Unfortunately, that's what I'm going through now. I like Mike and he would be in my top 5 drummers ever, but it was always so much easier to stomach this kinda stuff when Mike would be acting this way to someone outside the band: Prater, Tate, or whoever. Because Mike may have been a bit of a lose-cannon, but he was still our guy on our side.

When he acts the way he's always acted to the guys in the band, it's a lot harder to stay on his side as well. 

I agree with this especially. I've been thinking about how this isn't really anything new (No Thanks to Terry Brown anyone? Kevin Moore much?),and it's always been kind of irritating. Especially in situations where JP, or JLB have been  far more diplomatic about things. But now, its not just Geoff Tate whom I like but don't know. It's James LaBrie, whom I also don't know but in a backhanded using other people sort of way followed by a condescending "Geez I didn't say it, I just completely agree with it in public!" sort of way. Don't talk down to us. It's just semantics. How can he seriously get mad that fans would react this way? Awareness plz. THX

[SystematicThought]

After all of this, I posted this on a FB post on MP's page:

Sorry Mike, I am unliking the AM page and your fanpage. The way you like certain comments that in any way bash DT really make me think different of you. That's your way of passively agreeing with those comments.
34 minutes ago ·  6 people (like this)

He deleted all of them

[millahh]

I wish this were surprising.

I guess I'm still disappointed, though.

[ReaPsTA]

He has become totally unlikeable as a person. I no longer feel any sympathy for him.

Neither do I.  At this point, I'm really, really happy he left Dream Theater.  Better for whatever's going on with MP to come out this way than as part of a band I really enjoy.  Even if we're going to talk about this in purely musical terms, do I want to hear JLB with MP badgering him over his vocal performances, or the JLB I heard on the new song, who was using his talents to elevate the music?  The choice is obvious.

One thing worth defending MP on.  The no thanks to Terry Brown thing was completely deserved.  Brown basically extorted tens of thousands of dollars from the band to use the hypnotherapist voice in live shows, which is insane.