James LaBrie interview with Kyo, 2011-07-11

[Infinite Cactus]

I didn't know the Terry Brown thing was over that much money. And while I agree it's a dick move, I doubt I would put it on my album liner notes

[CrimsonSunrise]

So you're not doing rotating setlists right now because Mike is still new to the band, but you will keep changing songs from night to night...

Yeah, we'll keep saying, ,,OK, let's take that tune out and let's put this tune in", but I don't think it's ever going to be like it was, where it's like, here's one set and you come tomorrow night and it's completely different. No.

This makes me  a

[The Silent Cody]

So you're not doing rotating setlists right now because Mike is still new to the band, but you will keep changing songs from night to night...

Yeah, we'll keep saying, ,,OK, let's take that tune out and let's put this tune in", but I don't think it's ever going to be like it was, where it's like, here's one set and you come tomorrow night and it's completely different. No.

This makes me  a

Yeah, I was also  a little when I read this... But, this is from the other side good way for MM to feel in 1000% the band. Anyway, I was not expexting that They change the encore, and They played Metropolis which was unexpected for me, so I think that We could count on little surprises

[CrimsonSunrise]

So you're not doing rotating setlists right now because Mike is still new to the band, but you will keep changing songs from night to night...

Yeah, we'll keep saying, ,,OK, let's take that tune out and let's put this tune in", but I don't think it's ever going to be like it was, where it's like, here's one set and you come tomorrow night and it's completely different. No.

This makes me  a

Yeah, I was also  a little when I read this... But, this is from the other side good way for MM to feel in 1000% the band. Anyway, I was not expexting that They change the encore, and They played Metropolis which was unexpected for me, so I think that We could count on little surprises

I hear ya Cody.... just the finality of his statement... of we'll never do that again(rotating setlists)  was.... sobering.  I guess we'll have to live with the occasional encore substitution

[The Silent Cody]

So you're not doing rotating setlists right now because Mike is still new to the band, but you will keep changing songs from night to night...

Yeah, we'll keep saying, ,,OK, let's take that tune out and let's put this tune in", but I don't think it's ever going to be like it was, where it's like, here's one set and you come tomorrow night and it's completely different. No.

This makes me  a

Yeah, I was also  a little when I read this... But, this is from the other side good way for MM to feel in 1000% the band. Anyway, I was not expexting that They change the encore, and They played Metropolis which was unexpected for me, so I think that We could count on little surprises

I hear ya Cody.... just the finality of his statement... of we'll never do that again(rotating setlists)  was.... sobering.  I guess we'll have to live with the occasional encore substitution

I'm only afraid of two things. First, They didn't play LTL or Metropolis on yesterdays show in Portugal. If They do the same in Poland I'll be really mad... and the second thing is, does the Guys will still have fun from these songs?or They will became only well oiled machine? when you are rotating setlists you have much more fun IMO...

[TheGreatPretender]

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.  

I agree with this. Except, I'm pretty sure that wasn't Matt on the album. Matt did the backup vocals, but Peter Wildoer was the one who was credited for the Creams. So I'm assuming that's him on songs like One More Time and War, etc.

[Madman Shepherd]

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.  

I agree with this. Except, I'm pretty sure that wasn't Matt on the album. Matt did the backup vocals, but Peter Wildoer was the one who was credited for the Creams. So I'm assuming that's him on songs like One More Time and War, etc.

Actually I meant that him and Matt each wrote an equal number of lyrics.  You are right that Peter Wildoer sang (or screamed) maybe 20-25% of the vocals which again shows James's humbleness. 

[?]

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

This. I find it sad how he's burning the bridges behind him. All this makes reuniting even less probable (not that it was probable in the first place).

[TheGreatPretender]

Actually I meant that him and Matt each wrote an equal number of lyrics.  You are right that Peter Wildoer sang (or screamed) maybe 20-25% of the vocals which again shows James's humbleness. 

Exactly. I mean, I can see him wanting to put something different on the choruses just to spice it up. But to actually say, "Hey, this is my solo album, but you can sing the verses, because it'll serve the music better."

And honestly, humbleness is an important quality for any artist. MP might learn that lesson the hard way, with everything that's going on.

[ReaPsTA]

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

This. I find it sad how he's burning the bridges behind him. All this makes reuniting even less probable (not that it was probable in the first place).

It's kinda weird.  In the first interview right after he left with Trunk, he talked about maybe being able to rejoin the band again at another time.  At that point he didn't really say anyone bad about anyone in any sort of directed way.  I think between getting rejected when he asked to rejoin, and seeing in a broader sense that DT was committed to Mangini, I'd guess that Portnoy at some point gave up on the idea of ever rejoining the band.  I mean, if he hadn't then good god, how would that make any sense?  Especially now when it's becoming more and more clear that they don't need him to be successful.

[Mbarak]

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

This. I find it sad how he's burning the bridges behind him. All this makes reuniting even less probable (not that it was probable in the first place).

It's kinda weird.  In the first interview right after he left with Trunk, he talked about maybe being able to rejoin the band again at another time...

Kinda funny, because DT kept saying they see themselves "playing with" MP in the future as opposed to him rejoining the band. I guess DT had a better perspective over the impact and consequences of MP's departure than MP himself. Might be because he didn't intend to leave the band in the first place, but you could also say the same about DT.

[TheGreatPretender]

Kinda funny, because DT kept saying they see themselves "playing with" MP in the future as opposed to him rejoining the band. I guess DT had a better perspective over the impact and consequences of MP's departure than MP himself. Might be because he didn't intend to leave the band in the first place, but you could also say the same about DT.

And MP himself said something to the effect of, "I would be heartbroken if I never got to play with DT again."
But yeah, he pretty much botched those chances with everything that's going on now.

And it's one thing to say, "I hate them. I'm pissed." Because things like that can always get mended. But no, what he did say was, "LaBrie isn't the type of singer I like," and "I should've kicked him out when I had the chance," and "We should have someone more 'manly'," and liking statuses that completely insult LaBrie. It's mostly directed at LaBrie, but it's still not cool. I don't see Pettrucci or Rudess condoning that at all.

[Infinite Cactus]

While I doubt MP would return for a good long time or ever on a full time basis, I could never say never. I don't really care for him to come back at this point, but hey if Dave can come back to Van Halen, then MP at least playing one show with them in the future is a cakewalk.

[TheGreatPretender]

While I doubt MP would return for a good long time or ever on a full time basis, I could never say never. I don't really care for him to come back at this point, but hey if Dave can come back to Van Halen, then MP at least playing one show with them in the future is a cakewalk.

Maybe like a... When Dream and Day Reunite type concert, for a song or two. Still, I can't see LaBrie saying, "Well, he might not like me as a singer, and he may not respect my work, but sure, let's let him back into the band!"

[Infinite Cactus]

"Well, he might not like me as a singer, and he may not respect my work, but sure, let's let him back into the band!"

But yeah, that's what I was talking about, like a future we're old as shit reunion show and or short tour.Regardless, it's crazy that it's come down to passive aggressive tweeting and facebooking. Bew

[TheGreatPretender]

But yeah, that's what I was talking about, like a future we're old as shit reunion show and or short tour.Regardless, it's crazy that it's come down to passive aggressive tweeting and facebooking. Bew

Well, like I said, it's not rap music. If it was, you'd have Mike invite a bunch of buddies, filming themselves with a bunch of shotguns, going, "Bring it, James! You come to our neighborhood, we'll straight bust a cap in your ass!"
And then you'd have James responding with his buddies, doing the same thing.

[Blackfield]

I think this is pretty sad. Their friendship wasn't actually worth anything. More than 20 years together, they've grown tired of each other. I actually thought that the JP/JR/MP-relationship were pretty healthy, well now they use lawyers to talk to each other. I suspect that both musically and personality wise DT and MP was pretty far from each other.

[MasterShakezula]

But yeah, that's what I was talking about, like a future we're old as shit reunion show and or short tour.Regardless, it's crazy that it's come down to passive aggressive tweeting and facebooking. Bew

Well, like I said, it's not rap music. If it was, you'd have Mike invite a bunch of buddies, filming themselves with a bunch of shotguns, going, "Bring it, James! You come to our neighborhood, we'll straight bust a cap in your ass!"
And then you'd have James responding with his buddies, doing the same thing.

Well, if it was like 12 years ago, MP could always, like do a piss take at Kevin via collab with Korn or Limp Biscuit.  I mean, he does have the voice for it

[TheGreatPretender]

I think this is pretty sad. Their friendship wasn't actually worth anything. More than 20 years together, they've grown tired of each other. I actually thought that the JP/JR/MP-relationship were pretty healthy, well now they use lawyers to talk to each other. I suspect that both musically and personality wise DT and MP was pretty far from each other.

It's like those "Child" goggles, I guess. A lot of kids, growing up think that they have a functional, stable family and that everything is okay. Then they get older, and they realize that their dad is an alcoholic and their mother only tolerates his presence because he's a provider for the kids. And you realize that all those years you thought, "Everything is fine," it actually wasn't. Yeah, it is pretty sad.

[MasterShakezula]

Wait, so, is Mike dad and John mom?

What does that make the other guys + original Kevin and Derek?

[Infinite Cactus]

Wait, so, is Mike dad and John mom?

What does that make the other guys + original Kevin and Derek?

Derek is the crazy aunt with the stories and Kevin is grandpa. He was in Korea so he doesn't like to talk much.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I agree that these developments really slam the door shut on the reunion in the future. Before this, I thought it was more possible than a lot of people here thought, but now? No way.

Here's my question: If Mike Portnoy is not happy that James LaBrie is the lead singer and frontman of Dream Theater, why is he so bitter about not being in the band? Russell Allen certainly fits his vision of a "manly" singer, and he's praised over LaBrie in many circles, so you have to wonder why he'd even bother.

That's the dichotomy--there's all this criticism coming from Mike's direction at a band he was in for 25 years, would be "heartbroken" if he didn't get to play with again, and who he specifically asked to rejoin. If Myung's absence is so annoying and LaBrie is so bad, why the hell would Mike be so devastated at not being in the band?

Seriously, just move on. I actually think Adrenaline Mob could be pretty awesome, but all of this stuff really is pushing me close to simply eschewing their album, whether I'd like the music or not. And that's a shame.

[MasterShakezula]

Wait, so, is Mike dad and John mom?

What does that make the other guys + original Kevin and Derek?

Derek is the crazy aunt with the stories and Kevin is grandpa. He was in Korea so he doesn't like to talk much.

Then there's JMX, Kevin LaBrie, Jordan, and MM; here's my best guesses for them:
K/J LaB is the handsome elder son.
Jordan is the nerdy genius.
JMX is the adopted Asian.
And MM is a Genie who lives in the empty bottle of MP's final beer that DT still has for whatever reason.

[alirocker08]

Wait, so, is Mike dad and John mom?

What does that make the other guys + original Kevin and Derek?

Derek is the crazy aunt with the stories and Kevin is grandpa. He was in Korea so he doesn't like to talk much.

Then there's JMX, Kevin LaBrie, Jordan, and MM; here's my best guesses for them:
K/J LaB is the handsome elder son.
Jordan is the nerdy genius.
JMX is the adopted Asian.
And MM is a Genie who lives in the empty bottle of MP's final beer that DT still has for whatever reason.

I see JMX as being the silent, creepy little sister with an unwavering gaze.

[Zydar]

Wait, so, is Mike dad and John mom?

What does that make the other guys + original Kevin and Derek?

Derek is the crazy aunt with the stories and Kevin is grandpa. He was in Korea so he doesn't like to talk much.

Then there's JMX, Kevin LaBrie, Jordan, and MM; here's my best guesses for them:
K/J LaB is the handsome elder son.
Jordan is the nerdy genius.
JMX is the adopted Asian.
And MM is a Genie who lives in the empty bottle of MP's final beer that DT still has for whatever reason.

I see JMX as being the silent, creepy little sister with an unwavering gaze.

[ReaPsTA]

Here's my question: If Mike Portnoy is not happy that James LaBrie is the lead singer and frontman of Dream Theater, why is he so bitter about not being in the band? Russell Allen certainly fits his vision of a "manly" singer, and he's praised over LaBrie in many circles, so you have to wonder why he'd even bother.

That's the dichotomy--there's all this criticism coming from Mike's direction at a band he was in for 25 years, would be "heartbroken" if he didn't get to play with again, and who he specifically asked to rejoin. If Myung's absence is so annoying and LaBrie is so bad, why the hell would Mike be so devastated at not being in the band?

Because he thinks of Dream Theater as his baby.  In the Classic Rock Prog interview, more than anything else he seems angry about the fact the other members didn't agree to his idea of a hiatus.  Also, back in 2010 he didn't believe working full time with the band was an option.  So since the band told him he had to work with them again full time, his opinion on quitting isn't that he made the choice to do so but that he was forced to.

[Blackfield]

I believe it's fair to say that James is as big part of DTs success as Mike, if not more. There are hundreds of awesome prog metal bands out there with unbelievable musicians, but it all comes down to the vocals, if they're not right then I'm not listening to it.
DT without James would be a completely different DT. DT + JLB has been a match made in heaven. But it makes sense of MP to state that they should have gone with a more metal/manly voice, since he was a driving force of taking DT in the more metal direction lately.

Anyways, the point I was trying to make was that MP should be grateful to JLB and vice versa for the success that they've had.

[ReaPsTA]

I believe it's fair to say that James is as big part of DTs success as Mike, if not more. There are hundreds of awesome prog metal bands out there with unbelievable musicians, but it all comes down to the vocals, if they're not right then I'm not listening to it.
DT without James would be a completely different DT. DT + JLB has been a match made in heaven. But it makes sense of MP to state that they should have gone with a more metal/manly voice, since he was a driving force of taking DT in the more metal direction lately.

Anyways, the point I was trying to make was that MP should be grateful to JLB and vice versa for the success that they've had.

Maybe.  I think JLB has a more distinct voice than many prog/power metal singers, and one you can take more seriously.  But I've shown DT's music to so many people who have said "I like the music, but their singer annoys me/doesn't do it for me/isn't good."

[TheGreatPretender]

Maybe.  I think JLB has a more distinct voice than many prog/power metal singers, and one you can take more seriously.  But I've shown DT's music to so many people who have said "I like the music, but their singer annoys me/doesn't do it for me/isn't good."

I certainly thought so. It's not "Super accessible" like Freddie Mercury. But now, JLB is one of my favorite singers, and one of my biggest idols as a vocalist.
It can take some getting used to. But if people aren't willing to let something grow on them, then they probably wouldn't truly appreciate DT's genius anyway.

[Chrissalix]

Maybe.  I think JLB has a more distinct voice than many prog/power metal singers, and one you can take more seriously.  But I've shown DT's music to so many people who have said "I like the music, but their singer annoys me/doesn't do it for me/isn't good."

I certainly thought so. It's not "Super accessible" like Freddie Mercury. But now, JLB is one of my favorite singers, and one of my biggest idols as a vocalist.
It can take some getting used to. But if people aren't willing to let something grow on them, then they probably wouldn't truly appreciate DT's genius anyway.

For me, LaBrie was the missing link. His performance on Images and Words is my favourite by any vocalist in any genre. He nails everything and really made DT stand out in the first place. That's not to take away from anything on I&W musically though. That album is near flawless. Point is that without him, DT would probably never have made the step up. If MP doesn't recognise that then he's forgetting where he came from.

[TheGreatPretender]

For me, LaBrie was the missing link. His performance on Images and Words is my favourite by any vocalist in any genre. He nails everything and really made DT stand out in the first place. That's not to take away from anything on I&W musically though. That album is near flawless. Point is that without him, DT would probably never have made the step up. If MP doesn't recognise that then he's forgetting where he came from.

Well, my first DT song was "Dance of Eternity" so that had no vocals on it at all, and let's face it, imagine hearing something like that for the first time, it certainly stood out.
The thing is, LaBrie has a very "Young" sounding voice, and when I first heard him, I was like, "Who's this punk?" hahahah. But I imagine if Images and Words was the first album I've heard, I probably would've liked him. Hell, I imagine if I first heard Winter Rose, I would've liked his voice.

[Kotowboy]

I imagine if Portnoy ever did get back in the band - that the dynamic would b e very different. I don't think that it would be "his" band anymore - I'd see him being *just* the drummer.

[TheGreatPretender]

I imagine if Portnoy ever did get back in the band - that the dynamic would b e very different. I don't think that it would be "his" band anymore - I'd see him being *just* the drummer.

And I can't imagine him being okay with that.

[MasterShakezula]

I imagine if Portnoy ever did get back in the band - that the dynamic would b e very different. I don't think that it would be "his" band anymore - I'd see him being *just* the drummer.

And I can't imagine him being okay with that.

Um, this.  If Mike'.s going to be part of something, HE WILL make his prescence and influence felt by all people involved in its creation.  That's his way, and he doesn't seem to be interested in making any change to that approach.  I don't applaud that, but to think that he'd give his way up any time soon would be very wishful thinking.

[TheGreatPretender]

Yeah, but these are pointless "What if"s anyway. I say, Long Live Mike Mangini!