Guitar player from A7X gives a little more insight about the MP/DT split.

[Cruithne]

Well, in the weighty decision of leaving Dream Theater, I can understand MP not thinking about how publicity might affect A7X. What bugs me is Mike assuming they would want him on full time. It didn't necessarily have to come from an ego thing, he may have thought it would be an obvious help to the band or something, but in any case it was just a bad decision in a string made at that time.

Finding a new drummer for A7X was clearly a huge decision for a band that The Rev was such a significant part of, so I wouldn't be surprised if various scenarios that involved MP sticking with the band in the short and/or longer term had been toyed with in the interests of allowing them to defer putting off having to decide on someone for the permanent position.

Hell, there may have been a moment where someone even said "I wish you weren't in DT then we could just keep you in the band", never actually thinking MP would then go and leave DT to allow that to be a genuine option...

So it's possible that MP made entirely the wrong deduction that if he did quit DT then A7X would keep him on longer term than originally intended.

Obviously that's all speculation though.

[gmillerdrake]

I know what you mean and I wasn't criticizing the Avenged Sevenfold guy at all.  I know that he was just answering a question and he did so very gracefully, might I add.  I'm just saying, overall, there's no point to this.  I guess I almost wish he had said, "eh, I'm tired of that topic, we already have talked about it, let's move on."   

The point being that none of the A7X members 'ran' out and told thier story. As this guy stated...they've always kept that type of stuff personal and out of the spotlight, they are directly opposite of what MP is (which along with not discussing the entire 'decision' and the reasons behind it may be a BIG factor in why they didn't ask him to be their new drummer)
  They/he never has really sought to go out and address the whole MP/DT split....so I'm guessing that when/if they are asked they probably want to set the record straight on their perspective and point. No reason to fault the guy for answering or the interviewer for wanting to know being that A7X's point of view has been more or less a well kept 'secret' up to this point.
  I for one appreciate the 'new' information as it is proving a scenario that a great majority of us already had postulated to be the case. Not exactly the Perry Mason level of clandestine happenings but it's always nice to be 'vindicated' in a way and learn all aspects and details of what went down and not just rely on one or two versions of truth.

[Mebert78]

The story is now on Blabbermouth too with full text of the interview: https://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=167431

This part pretty much sums it up for me:

‎"'Hey, I've got good news and bad news. I quit Dream Theater.' We were like, 'Oh, no. Well, if you're happy, then that's good.' [And he was like], 'Now I can be with you guys.' And we were like, 'That's not necessarily what we decided upon.' And he was like, 'Well, I put out my press release.'"

[AngelBack]

So the "good news" was he quit DT and the "bad news" was he could be in their band ?  Makes sense in an unintentional sort of way.

[Nekov]

So the "good news" was he quit DT and the "bad news" was he could be in their band ?  Makes sense in an unintentional sort of way.

[j]

All I can say is "wow."  Sounds like MP really put Avenged Sevenfold in an awkward spot and made rushed announcements without even considering how it would affect them.

That really doesn't sound like Portnoy at all.

-J

[FlamTap]

Man, if this is all how it really went down, then WTF, MP??? This is what you get when a control freak loses control. I wonder if he now regrets him & Zack getting matching batwing tattoos?? I kinda feel sorry for him...kinda

[Mebert78]

Man, if this is all how it really went down, then WTF, MP??? This is what you get when a control freak loses control. I wonder if he now regrets him & Zack getting matching batwing tattoos?? I kinda feel sorry for him...kinda

Honestly, I would probably feel sorry for him too if he didn't keep making negative comments about DT -- as recently as last week with the "BMU BMD" issue -- and then shrug his shoulders as if he didn't do anything wrong.  But it shows that he still doesn't get it.  According to this interview, AX7 told him that his quick trigger comments and tweets were a mistake, yet he continues to make reckless (in my opinion) posts over a year later. 

[ResultsMayVary]

Just confirms what everyone here already expected. I think a few forumers owe a few others an apology for the ripping they got when forumers first came up with this theory that Portnoy left DT for A7X.

[KevShmev]

Just confirms what everyone here already expected. I think a few forumers owe a few others an apology for the ripping they got when forumers first came up with this theory that Portnoy left DT for A7X.

They'll just say it was speculation, even though it turned out to be true.  Many people hate to admit when they were wrong, sadly.

[Kotowboy]

And he was like, 'Well, I put out my press release.'"

BUT MY PRESS RELEASE !!!

[Jaffa]

I think a few forumers owe a few others an apology for the ripping they got when forumers first came up with this theory that Portnoy left DT for A7X.

I honestly don't remember if I was one of the forumers in question.  Sounds like me, though, so I hereby apologize if I was.

[Orbert]

I don't think it's been so clearly stated by anyone involved before that he quit DT with the expectation that he'd be joining A7X.

This.  It was all speculation before now.  Guesswork based on tweets and posts on MP.com and bits of interviews that all very carefully obscured exactly what happened and therefore left us no choice but to guess and fill in the blanks.  And finally after over a year, someone comes right out and says it.

[Bertielee]

I think it was the worst move MP could make as, apparently, it was based on wishful thinking on his part. I, like others, am curious as to his reaction to that interview. How do you call this : lying by omission?

B.Lee

[rumborak]

This all personally reminds me of the German idiom "lies have short legs". MP tried to push for a version of the events that made him look good, but it all relied on that the others would be too decent to speak up. Never works out, sooner or later the truth catches up with you, and then it comes back with a vengeance.
I am personally happy that my bullshit radar worked as well as it did.

rumborak

[El JoNNo]

Yeah all he had to do was say "Shit, I made a mistake. I assumed they wanted me in the band and I no longer enjoyed Dream Theater, now I'm not in either. Life lesson learned, I'm still a world renowned drummer and will continue to make music that I love." BAM most of this stupid drama would have been done. He might not have alienated DT and many fans and possibly A7X.

[rumborak]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

[Perpetual Change]

Just confirms what everyone here already expected. I think a few forumers owe a few others an apology for the ripping they got when forumers first came up with this theory that Portnoy left DT for A7X.

I agree. So many people here discount others' speculation even if the answer is obvious, simply because it's speculation or because a band member has made a statement leading you to think otherwise. Well, if there's two things we've learned over the past two years, it's this:

1. DTFers are actually pretty good at guessing the truth of situations.
2. MP's version of the 'truth', with all due respect, is not really to be taken very seriously; and band members tell you what they want you know know/think about a certain situation, not what the situation really IS. 

[bosk1]

1. DTFers are actually pretty good at guessing the truth of situations. 

Eh, not really.  For example, a TON of people here had been saying, "Obviously, A7X canned Mike because he couldn't keep quiet."  Even though nobody ever said that, and M.Shadows' comments seemed to be to the contrary, tons of people were on that bandwagon.  And now we have a second member of A7X publicly saying that they didn't keep him because that wasn't part of the original agreement, and they didn't feel like they were in a position to bring him in as a permanent replacement for Rev.  Funny how a lot of people have short memories about their own comments.

[MarkFitDT]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

[KevShmev]

Once again...

They all bought into your contrived sincerity
And how you wore your heart and soul right on your sleeve
Laughing sarcastically
You turned your back on the people who adored you

Self-absorbed exhaustion
Self-esteem distortion
Self-infused extortion
Self-serving abortion

I'll take the blame for these things that I say
'Cause I had the heart and the will and the courage to stay
Every day
I won't walk away

Reading through all the digests you show me
I notice the way that you think you control me
Doubting my future, you don't even know me
But I never walked out on you

[Perpetual Change]

1. DTFers are actually pretty good at guessing the truth of situations. 

Eh, not really.  For example, a TON of people here had been saying, "Obviously, A7X canned Mike because he couldn't keep quiet."  Even though nobody ever said that, and M.Shadows' comments seemed to be to the contrary, tons of people were on that bandwagon.  And now we have a second member of A7X publicly saying that they didn't keep him because that wasn't part of the original agreement, and they didn't feel like they were in a position to bring him in as a permanent replacement for Rev.  Funny how a lot of people have short memories about their own comments.

I'm not sure what you're referring to, but I was talking about Mike wanting to be involved with A7X beyond the original agreement; something I don't think Mike's admitted yet but something A7X has hinted at more and more directly until now.

[rumborak]

Eh, not really.  For example, a TON of people here had been saying, "Obviously, A7X canned Mike because he couldn't keep quiet."  Even though nobody ever said that, and M.Shadows' comments seemed to be to the contrary, tons of people were on that bandwagon.  And now we have a second member of A7X publicly saying that they didn't keep him because that wasn't part of the original agreement, and they didn't feel like they were in a position to bring him in as a permanent replacement for Rev.  Funny how a lot of people have short memories about their own comments.

Err, you may have missed the part of the interview where the guy complained about MP's constant tweeting of shit, and the mention of the back and forth between DT and MP (which was really mostly a "forth" because the majority of statements came from MP) that caused them to cut him loose. MP not being able to keep quiet was a major part in A7X's decision, as the guy says himself.

rumborak

[a51502112]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

Nice trolling. Why would you even admit this?

[MarkFitDT]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

Nice trolling. Why would you even admit this?

I wasnt trolling, Im on MP.Com quite a lot even if I dont post much there. I didnt realise it was a violation to post that link over there seeing as it is related to DT/MP.

[ronrule]

Just because that's when the official contract was up, doesn't mean Mike didn't have a chance, even a good one, of continuing with them indefinitely, even on a provisional, contractual basis.

ISTM, In Mike's position, there's a fine line between "getting fired" and "not getting your contract renewed".

Zacky G (or whatever) even said how "it just didn't work out" with Mike. It could've worked out, at least for a longer time period. But the twitter drama and the manipulation ("I already press released!") probably just confirmed suspicions on A7X's side that it was time to move on.

[bosk1]

MP not being able to keep quiet was a major part in A7X's decision, as the guy says himself.

Incorrect.  You are completely making that up and ignoring the fact that he says flat out that the reason was because Mike staying on was not "what was agreed to."  As you say, lies have short legs.

[KevShmev]

"It was something that we were not used to at all. We had never, ever experienced any kind of in-the-spotlight drama; we just always stay in the shadows and keep any of our personal business private. And [Mike is] a very different character — he always goes straight to fans [on] Twitter or whatever... That's how he dealt with his band, and it was new to us. We like to be in touch with our fans, but we're also very private. 'Cause, to us, it's not about Zacky or M. Shadows or Synyster Gates, it's about AVENGED SEVENFOLD; it's more important than any one of us."

While he didn't directly say that that was a reason why, they were clearly bothered by it.  It is pretty easy to put two and two together here.

[rumborak]

@bosk: Whatever. I'm pretty sure you stand alone with that interpretation.

rumborak

[a51502112]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

Nice trolling. Why would you even admit this?

I wasnt trolling, Im on MP.Com quite a lot even if I dont post much there. I didnt realise it was a violation to post that link over there seeing as it is related to DT/MP.

"had a couple of reactions so far" If you're looking for a reaction and not simply contributing, you're trolling.

[rumborak]

Does it matter? It's not as if this news item wouldn't have found its way over there one way or the other. Of course the real issue is that the forum over there is essentially all but dead.

rumborak

[Rob24]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

Nice trolling. Why would you even admit this?

I wasnt trolling, Im on MP.Com quite a lot even if I dont post much there. I didnt realise it was a violation to post that link over there seeing as it is related to DT/MP.

"had a couple of reactions so far" If you're looking for a reaction and not simply contributing, you're trolling.

What are you talking about? He posted the link over there to inform the other guys and "couple reactions" is the answer to rumboraks question "Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?" How is being so kind and showing the news to them considered "trolling"?

[kirksnosehair]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?

rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

Nice trolling. Why would you even admit this?

I wasnt trolling, Im on MP.Com quite a lot even if I dont post much there. I didnt realise it was a violation to post that link over there seeing as it is related to DT/MP.

"had a couple of reactions so far" If you're looking for a reaction and not simply contributing, you're trolling.

I'm pretty sure you are alone in that opinion

[ronrule]

How both rumborak and bosk could be right:

I'm having a great time with you guys. I'd love to keep touring with you.

Well, we certainly appreciate you helping us. But you're Mike Effin' Portnoy of Dream Theater! Don't you have to get back to them soon?

Yeah, but I haven't been happy with DT for years. I'll see if I can move their schedule around and keep touring with you guys.

That sucks you haven't been happy. Maybe you should take a break? Unfortunately we're not really ready to commit to a permanent replacement (with likely concerns about Mike's personality/fit/age/etc under the surface here mixed with sadness about Jimmy) We'd love to have you continue touring with us but let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

*** DT hiatus drama. DT quitting drama. Twitter drama. A7X drama ***

Hey guys I quit DT. Now I can continue on with y'all.

We didn't want you to quit.

I already did a press release.

We didn't say you're guaranteed a spot with us. We didn't agree to that. Your behavior has confirmed our misgivings about your personality/fit/age/etc. I think we'll move on to a different drummer for the next tour.

[MarkFitDT]

Dare I even ask how this is going down on mp.com?
lb
rumborak

Ive just posted the link on there and had a couple of reactions so far. Be interesting to see how long the link lasts!

Nice trolling. Why would you even admit this?

I wasnt trolling, Im on MP.Com quite a lot even if I dont post much there. I didnt realise it was a violation to post that link over there seeing as it is related to DT/MP.

"had a couple of reactions so far" If you're looking for a reaction and not simply contributing, you're trolling.

I'm sorry but you are simply seeing what you want to see or not understanding what i meant. I linked a legal interview giving a different version of events than how it had been told before and asked people what they thought. Maybe i should have used replies rather than reaction but my only flippant comment was about how long my post would last as countless posts which dont follow the party line are deleted now. Move on pls.