Did Dream Theater fans turn their back on Mike Portnoy?

[KevShmev]

He sure seems to think so.

"It has been a tough year for me watching DREAM THEATER fans turning their backs on me, which is unfortunate, because I have been the most fan-oriented artist you'll ever meet. And during my time with DREAM THEATER, everything I did was for the fans. So it is sad when I see someone turning his back on me. But, again, there is a big number of fans who have been very supportive and for those people I am so eternally grateful and I will continue trying to make them proud fans."



Source: https://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162788

[chrisbDTM]

i haven't done a full 180

[hefdaddy42]

I think it is more accurate to say that Mike Portnoy turned Dream Theater fans' backs on Mike Portnoy.

But I think it is more accurate to say that Dream Theater fans are more focused on Dream Theater than on Mike Portnoy now because Mike Portnoy is no longer in Dream Theater.

[John94]

I think it is more accurate to say that Mike Portnoy turned Dream Theater fans' backs on Mike Portnoy.

But I think it is more accurate to say that Dream Theater fans are more focused on Dream Theater than on Mike Portnoy now because Mike Portnoy is no longer in Dream Theater.

[jsem]

I think it is more accurate to say that Mike Portnoy turned Dream Theater fans' backs on Mike Portnoy.

But I think it is more accurate to say that Dream Theater fans are more focused on Dream Theater than on Mike Portnoy now because Mike Portnoy is no longer in Dream Theater.

[Jaffa]

Well, yes.  I don't think there's any denying that a lot of Dream Theater fans have turned their backs on Mike Portnoy.  I'd say the only question is whether or not he deserved it.

And I'd say the answer to that question is yes.  

[nikatapi]

Well, i guess most DT fans who turned their backs on MP were disappointed by the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.
Or because of some immature behavior from his part.

[hefdaddy42]

Well, i guess most DT fans who turned their backs on MP were disappointed by the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.
Or because of some immature behavior from his part.

It's not because of the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.

[wasteland]

Well, i guess most DT fans who turned their backs on MP were disappointed by the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.
Or because of some immature behavior from his part.

Something tells me that the first part is not the main reason 

Anyways, Mike is really turning into a a facepalm machine... I feel sorry for him, he needs to move on. For real.

[nikatapi]

Well, i guess most DT fans who turned their backs on MP were disappointed by the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.
Or because of some immature behavior from his part.

It's not because of the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.

Ηow can you be so sure?
I know a lot of people who don't know about all the drama like most of us here, who listened to DT but were really let down by AM's music.

[ReaPsTA]

 - The question was answered relative to people's opinions on Adrenaline Mob.  I guess you could say, in this context, that part of the reason people are "turning their backs" on him is because they don't like The Mob's music.

- Why doesn't he realize that part of the reason a lot of DT fans haven't stuck with him is because he's talked shit on DT over and over and over again since he left the band?

- He seems to be implying that he expected DT fans to stick with him and that we're the ones doing wrong by him for not getting into his current output.

[hefdaddy42]

Well, i guess most DT fans who turned their backs on MP were disappointed by the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.
Or because of some immature behavior from his part.

It's not because of the musical output of Adrenaline Mob.

Ηow can you be so sure?
I know a lot of people who don't know about all the drama like most of us here, who listened to DT but were really let down by AM's music.

Yeah, but that would just mean they don't like Adrenaline Mob.  That wouldn't mean they've "turned their back on him."

Lots of DT fans didn't like Transatlantic, either.  That doesn't translate into "turning their backs on" MP.

[BRGM]

I do not enjoy what I've heard from AM, but I'm still looking forward to his work with future transatlantic and neal morse albums.

[Pols Voice]

Turning all their backs on Portnoy
Destined to ignore
Loving new DT
While The Mob gets all the hate

[chwik]

Just read a few of the blabbermouth comments. Kept thinking "What is wrong with these people...Jeez!"

[Madman Shepherd]

I tend to turn my back on people with overwhelming passive aggressive attitudes who are highly negative and vengeful.  Of course, those actions pretty much mean they have turned their back on me first so I feel no guilt though I do have a little sadness.

[blackngold29]

It appears that way... until you read the whole quote.

Have you been facing 'haters' along this process?

Absolutely I have. It has been a tough year for me watching DREAM THEATER fans turning their backs on me, which is unfortunate because I have been the most fan-oriented artist you'll ever meet. And during my time with DREAM THEATER, everything I did was for the fans. So, it is sad when I see someone turning his back on me. But again, there is a big number of fans who have been very supportive and for those people I am so eternally grateful and I will continue trying to make them proud fans.


He's exactly right, some people are real jerks to him, I've seen it. Most seem to be accepting of what he wants.

[olliemedsy]

I'm not keen on anything I've heard from AM, but the whole suing incident really made me make my final opinion about him   

[olliemedsy]

It appears that way... until you read the whole quote.

Have you been facing 'haters' along this process?

Absolutely I have. It has been a tough year for me watching DREAM THEATER fans turning their backs on me, which is unfortunate because I have been the most fan-oriented artist you'll ever meet. And during my time with DREAM THEATER, everything I did was for the fans. So, it is sad when I see someone turning his back on me. But again, there is a big number of fans who have been very supportive and for those people I am so eternally grateful and I will continue trying to make them proud fans.


He's exactly right, some people are real jerks to him, I've seen it. Most seem to be accepting of what he wants.

no, 'cause if he doesn't want people to turn there backs on him, he shouldn't act like such a child. no-one is generally stupid or immature enough to turn their back on someone for no reason. most people will appreciate his efforts for the fans during his time in DT, but that doesn't give him an excuse to act like this. also remember, it was his disicion to leave the band

[Tick]

I sure didn't. I'm still a big Mike fan, even though I don't much care for his latest endeavor. I will continue to be a dt fan and a Mike fan. I agree though that some have been quite harsh, seemingly out of immaturity for the sake of being harsh.
Certainly Mike has put his foot in his mouth a few times in the last year, but so what. That's what happens when your overly public with your fans. Ironically, its what made him so endearing with the fans that are now ripping him up now.
Mike is a true fans musician and that's what I will only love about him.

[Gadough]

Well, yes.  I don't think there's any denying that a lot of Dream Theater fans have turned their backs on Mike Portnoy.

Pretty much this. Whether or not it's entirely deserved, I'm in no position to say.

[Jamesman42]

MP needs to accept that fact that fans of DT are fans of DT, not of MP solely.

Edit: His attitude is what is making him lose fans as well. It's like me and bosk. We used to be cool, but since I've sorta changed over time, bosk doesn't like me anymore. 5/8 is Adrenaline Mob

[aXygnus]

Turning all their backs on Portnoy
Destined to ignore
Loving new DT
While The Mob gets all the hate

Last line doesn't add up. Haha!

Anyways, I'm a fan of Dream Theater's music, not of Portnoy as an individual. If he puts out a solo album, then we can talk.

[sagar_k]

Anyways, I'm a fan of Dream Theater's music, not of Portnoy as an individual. If he puts out a solo album, then we can talk.

My thoughts as well. Individually, they are all amazing but I am more into DT as a group. Maybe MP was referring to the people who keep spamming his official FB page with hate messages.

[3xodus]

I'm not keen on anything I've heard from AM, but the whole suing incident really made me make my final opinion about him   

He's not suing anyone.. I thought that was the general concensus in the legal issues thread anyway.. Maybe I'm wrong.


Either way, I haven't turned my back on MP. I still love the music he makes.

[zipporaid]

I can't say I've turned my back on him, but I'm a DT fan first - and honestly, I didn't follow
KM or DS very much after dt, TA was good but meh.
Definitely not AM (not into it) and didn't even listen to the A7X album he played on.

The only real side projects i've listened to are JLB's solos and LTE.
JP by himself didn't even really do it for me.

I actually have followed more of JLB side projects than MP now that
I think of it, and it's odd, cause I'm not a huge pirate fan.......  

one of my fav outside endeavors is Ayreon's album that JLB sang on.  EPIC.

So long story short, no I didn't turn my back on him, but he's gotta do
something that I actually like to get me to listen to him.   I must say
steve morse + MP could be cool.

[reo73]

I have never been a huge MP fan to begin with; more of a JP guy myself.  I don't think I have turned my back on him though if I have to choose a side I am firmly in the DT camp and believe MP could have handled himself better in all this.  Also, AM is dreadfully dull to me so I really have nothing to get excited about as far as MP is concerned.  

I believe we are just at the beginning of a long and ugly MP grudge against DT that will play out in public.

[Ħ]

It's weird.  I kind of think DT side-projects (LTE, Transatlantic, solo albums, etc.) as experimental DT albums or something.  I always have DT in mind when I listen to them.

[DreamerTV]

I do not want to be harsh, but as for facts that we have known, assuming that i am a fan of the band, so of all his members:

- he has always complained about the vocalist, whereof voice i like a lot, cutting pieces of songs and singing parts on his own instead JLB
- he has always complained for how the bassist, as a person, is and always has been. And i really love Myung personality
- he has castrate the music ability of, at least, one of the member of the band, and assuming i love all the members, i would have loved to ear JR full capabilities, as i trust them
- he then left the band, saying he has always done everything while the others handn't, but that came as a result of MP actually wanting to do things only in his way
- He liked almost every single fb post that was saying negative things towards the band

To much to overcome to say that i still feel connected with him.

[Jaffa]

Well, yes.  I don't think there's any denying that a lot of Dream Theater fans have turned their backs on Mike Portnoy.

Pretty much this. Whether or not it's entirely deserved, I'm in no position to say.

Woah, Gadough agreed with me on something. 

Am I awake?

[Miyazaki74]

Honestly I don't think many fans have turned their backs on him. The people who are hating on him are just people who didn't really like him to begin with. So whenever Mike opens his mouth to say something the haters will nitpick away to find an excuse to bash him. Mike hasn't said anything negative towards DT fans since the split but some DT fans for whatever reason take it personally when Mike has something to say about his situation with DT. I think it's great that he's so open and direct with his fans and I'm sure as hell not going to criticize him for being so. The way I look at it, the situation with DT and Mike isn't really my concern or problem, but if Mike wants to vent and tell the fans what's on his mind that is perfectly fine with me.

[Slain]

Anyways, I'm a fan of Dream Theater's music, not of Portnoy as an individual. If he puts out a solo album, then we can talk.

It will be called "PERCUSSION MOB"

Only drums.

[hefdaddy42]

It's weird.  I kind of think DT side-projects (LTE, Transatlantic, solo albums, etc.) as experimental DT albums or something.  I always have DT in mind when I listen to them.

That is weird.

[Ħ]

I do not want to be harsh, but as for facts that we have known, assuming that i am a fan of the band, so of all his members:

- he has always complained about the vocalist, whereof voice i like a lot, cutting pieces of songs and singing parts on his own instead JLB

MP has critiqued JLB only in live situations AFAIK, and rarely at that.  In fact, in Lifting Shadows, he actually sticks up for JLB quite a bit.

- he has always complained for how the bassist, as a person, is and always has been. And i really love Myung personality

The only time MP has said something about JMX is right after he left the band, where he mainly didn't like JMX's distant personality.

- he has castrate the music ability of, at least, one of the member of the band, and assuming i love all the members, i would have loved to ear JR full capabilities, as i trust them

He didn't "castrate" anyone's musical ability.  The writing process was pretty equal, and if someone wants to do something, they can.

- he then left the band, saying he has always done everything while the others handn't, but that came as a result of MP actually wanting to do things only in his way

MP didn't have a problem with the musical direction at all.  He left because he wanted a break.

- He liked almost every single fb post that was saying negative things towards the band

That's the only thing I don't really like.  MP has outright said anything inflammatory about the band, so it could just be an honest mistake, but it's happened so often that I really don't know.

[millahh]

I do not want to be harsh, but as for facts that we have known, assuming that i am a fan of the band, so of all his members:

- he has always complained about the vocalist, whereof voice i like a lot, cutting pieces of songs and singing parts on his own instead JLB
- he has always complained for how the bassist, as a person, is and always has been. And i really love Myung personality
- he has castrate the music ability of, at least, one of the member of the band, and assuming i love all the members, i would have loved to ear JR full capabilities, as i trust them
- he then left the band, saying he has always done everything while the others handn't, but that came as a result of MP actually wanting to do things only in his way
- He liked almost every single fb post that was saying negative things towards the band

To much to overcome to say that i still feel connected with him.

I would agree with this.  I don't feel I've "turned my back" on him, because it's not like I was a rabid fan of everything he did outside of DT before the split, but I'm really disappointed by the behavior, especially since I tend to identify with some of the other band members that he (allegedly) treated badly.