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

[rumborak]

Someone started a "Thanks Mike" thread a few days ago over at his forum and there have been a total of 3 replies and about 60 views.

I saw that the ADTOE thread has been deleted, which I guess now means Dream Theater can no longer be talked about altogether on his forum. Bizarre.

rumborak

[robwebster]

EDIT: Delete!

[a51502112]

Someone started a "Thanks Mike" thread a few days ago over at his forum and there have been a total of 3 replies and about 60 views.

I saw that the ADTOE thread has been deleted, which I guess now means Dream Theater can no longer be talked about altogether on his forum. Bizarre.

rumborak

Nah. Thread's still there. Nobody's posting is all.

[E.S.]

Of all the mysteries in the world, I'm particularly baffled by this: Why on earth is this thing still going on? I thought the fans AND MP had moved on?

[Pinga]

I thought so too, but them Mike went ahead and made a fool of himself. Just wait until things are cooling off, and he'll do it again.

[Aythesryche]

Of all the mysteries in the world, I'm particularly baffled by this: Why on earth is this thing still going on? I thought the fans AND MP had moved on?

It's dying off slowly but surely. Give it a bit more time and it will go away like the dodo bird. The only people that are keeping it alive are a handful of people that really paint an exaggerated/inflated picture of the situation which is simply not how things are anymore. The interesting effect of a forum of this nature, it kinda acts like a traffic jam; one person that does something stupid a mile up the road, its effects are felt all the way back here. Or people slowing down to see an accident just to get a glimpse.

The continued discussion is definitely beating a dead horse. There is nothing left to discuss. Unless you enjoy needless gossiping and repeating yourself.

[black_biff_stadler]

Of all the mysteries in the world, I'm particularly baffled by this: Why on earth is this thing still going on? I thought the fans AND MP had moved on?

It's dying off slowly but surely. Give it a bit more time and it will go away like the dodo bird. The only people that are keeping it alive are a handful of people that really paint an exaggerated/inflated picture of the situation which is simply not how things are anymore. The interesting effect of a forum of this nature, it kinda acts like a traffic jam; one person that does something stupid a mile up the road, its effects are felt all the way back here. Or people slowing down to see an accident just to get a glimpse.

The continued discussion is definitely beating a dead horse. There is nothing left to discuss. Unless you enjoy needless gossiping and repeating yourself.

You must have missed this: https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=75106

"Check out the first song on [John Petrucci's] fave album of the year.... WOW, the arrangement and orchestration sounds awfully familiar!! Surely it must be an intentional 'nugget' for the fans... It couldn't possibly be blatant formula plagiarism, now could it...?? I just have to laugh...Hey...I'm not trying to start a war.... and I am indeed totally in a happy place in my life and career... I'm just merely making an observation and posting openly on my own forum like I always have and always will... If anybody ELSE wants to blow this up, it's their choice and doing...not mine! And PS – to defend music that I co-wrote/arranged (that were cited previously in this thread), there's a difference between 'inspiration corner'/'copping a certain vibe' and blatantly re-writing an existing song or formula section by section..."

Not to be confrontational but how in the world can you expect people to just give MP a pass for talking shit about DT, especially with such hypocritical amnesia in regard to his past borrowings/plagiarisms/ripoffs, without holding him accountable in some way. That quote is from less than two weeks ago so apparently the dude is still intent on picking the scab as long as he continues to struggle with getting over this whole situation. If he could even go two months without starting a dumpster fire, I'd be willing to bet that the amount of negative posts about him around here would decrease by a good 80-90%.

[El JoNNo]

That reminds me. I forgot to comment on MP's facebook about my displeasure regarding this and then remove him. I'm not a drummer but am I fan of DT and I was still curious as to what he was going to continue to put out. Now? Nope, I couldn't care less. He has lost a potential fan of future releases.

[Hprog]

Not to be confrontational but how in the world can you expect people to just give MP a pass for talking shit about DT, especially with such hypocritical amnesia in regard to his past borrowings/plagiarisms/ripoffs, without holding him accountable in some way. That quote is from less than two weeks ago so apparently the dude is still intent on picking the scab as long as he continues to struggle with getting over this whole situation. If he could even go two months without starting a dumpster fire, I'd be willing to bet that the amount of negative posts about him around here would decrease by a good 80-90%.

Exactly this!

[Orbert]

The continued discussion is definitely beating a dead horse. There is nothing left to discuss. Unless you enjoy needless gossiping and repeating yourself.

So you've had your fill and have moved on.  Good for you.  But what you've said above is simply not true.

There were definitely unanswered questions concerning why MP left DT, specifically how much A7X played into it.  All we could do was speculate, and yes it went on for a while and people were repeating themselves over and over.  But now we have a definitive statement from someone in A7X about the conversations that went down, which we never had before.  This is news, and news brings new discussion.

And every time Mike opens his mouth, he invites reaction.  He not only seeks to keep himself in the public eye, but he craves attention and at the same time clearly seeks to discredit his old band.  And he's stepping things up, so every time he does it, it is news, and again brings new discussion.

You may be sick of it, but there is news, and it makes perfect sense that people will want to discuss it.

[rumborak]

If he could even go two months without starting a dumpster fire, I'd be willing to bet that the amount of negative posts about him around here would decrease by a good 80-90%.

Not too long ago there was actually a time when barely anybody talked about the DT/MP situation. But then MP decided to start another dumpster fire, and an especially vile one at that.

rumborak

[Kotowboy]

In 2006 it would have been hard to believe that in 5 years time that not only would Portnoy be out of the band but everyone would be *glad* about it.

[El JoNNo]

Why is 2006 significant?

[slycordinator]

Why is 2006 significant?

It's not. He was saying that people would think you were nuts if you'd suggested back 5-6 years ago that MP would leave and the fans give a sigh of relief.

[El JoNNo]

Ah I figured.

[Perpetual Change]

Why is 2006 significant?

It's not. He was saying that people would think you were nuts if you'd suggested back 5-6 years ago that MP would leave and the fans give a sigh of relief.

Eh, I doubt that. Often, the most outwardly "gung-ho" people are the first to throw their tools down and quit. Fans might have been more bummed if Mike left in 2006, but that's not saying much. And, most fans would realize that DT was about way more than any one member-- honestly, that was already alot clearer in 2005-6 than it had been before Mike quit.

[slycordinator]

Why is 2006 significant?

It's not. He was saying that people would think you were nuts if you'd suggested back 5-6 years ago that MP would leave and the fans give a sigh of relief.

Eh, I doubt that. Often, the most outwardly "gung-ho" people are the first to throw their tools down and quit. Fans might have been more bummed if Mike left in 2006, but that's not saying much. And, most fans would realize that DT was about way more than any one member-- honestly, that was already alot clearer in 2005-6 than it had been before Mike quit.

I think you need to reread what I was referring to.

The claim was that if you had suggested in 5-6 years ago that MP would be out of the band and people would be glad about it, they'd think you were speaking crazy. That's a bit different than suggesting "If MP possibly quit the band and DT made a fantastic album with someone new, fans would be happy about the band not crumbling."

[CodyWanKenobi]

I'd just like to know this... in what world did Mike think he wasn't "start[ing] a war" by saying that?

[black_biff_stadler]

^Oh, we all know that was base-covering lip service in a very futile manner. He's delusional enough to think he can say whatever he wants, no matter how ill-conceived/not in the best interest of anyone involved, and just "control" the outcome by telling people what the conditions are regarding any fallout from his comments like when he said:

If anybody ELSE wants to blow this up, it's their choice and doing...not mine!

Where the fuck does he get off thinking for even one second that he's the final say on what's accurate/objective about how his subjective, controversial, and excessively-biased comments will be taken by the public? Very belittling and insulting in my opinion.

[Perpetual Change]

Why is 2006 significant?

It's not. He was saying that people would think you were nuts if you'd suggested back 5-6 years ago that MP would leave and the fans give a sigh of relief.

Eh, I doubt that. Often, the most outwardly "gung-ho" people are the first to throw their tools down and quit. Fans might have been more bummed if Mike left in 2006, but that's not saying much. And, most fans would realize that DT was about way more than any one member-- honestly, that was already alot clearer in 2005-6 than it had been before Mike quit.

I think you need to reread what I was referring to.

The claim was that if you had suggested in 5-6 years ago that MP would be out of the band and people would be glad about it, they'd think you were speaking crazy. That's a bit different than suggesting "If MP possibly quit the band and DT made a fantastic album with someone new, fans would be happy about the band not crumbling."

I understood you perfectly, I just disagreed. I could see people being happy about Mike leaving 5-6 years ago. Not as many as were when it actually happened, but still a good portion of fans. Mike always seems to have rubbed a particular sect of fans the wrong way.

[KevShmev]

^Oh, we all know that was base-covering lip service in a very futile manner. He's delusional enough to think he can say whatever he wants, no matter how ill-conceived/not in the best interest of anyone involved, and just "control" the outcome by telling people what the conditions are regarding any fallout from his comments like when he said:

If anybody ELSE wants to blow this up, it's their choice and doing...not mine!

Where the fuck does he get off thinking for even one second that he's the final say on what's accurate/objective about how his subjective, controversial, and excessively-biased comments will be taken by the public? Very belittling and insulting in my opinion.

Exactly.  It's like an athlete saying something really stupid to a reporter, and then blaming the media for making it into a story - you know it isn't gonna end there, unless you are naive and/or stupid.  Portnoy has been around long enough to know that his actions and words will result in a reaction (since it is has happened many times) - he's not stupid in that regard - so for him to act like it is the fault of others for supposedly blowing it up into a story is his typical way of trying to avoid any culpability.  Anyone with a brain can see right through it.

[CodyWanKenobi]

I was trying to be sarcastic. I guess it didn't work though. haha. Yeah, MP has turned into a bitter prick. It's too bad. :/

[slycordinator]

I understood you perfectly, I just disagreed.

Just to explain why I thought you misunderstood...
Most of your response was saying both that people with personalities like MP's (being the gung-ho type) are more likely to quit and that if he quit people would see the band as bigger than him. Not to rehash, but that's why I thought you were more saying "fans would be happy the band didn't go away" than "fans would be happy he quit the band."

I could see people being happy about Mike leaving 5-6 years ago. Not as many as were when it actually happened, but still a good portion of fans. Mike always seems to have rubbed a particular sect of fans the wrong way.

While I'm probably putting a bit of how I remember personally feeling about the band at the time and so am not totally objective, I think it's easy for one to look back at a time in the past and have what was actually going on then distorted by what you've seen happen recently.

[Kotowboy]

A few years ago, Portnoy was probably my favourite member of the band - and I was intending to buy his Constant Motion DVD.

Now, not so much.



Not at all...

[kirksnosehair]

I'd just like to know this... in what world did Mike think he wasn't "start[ing] a war" by saying that?

This may help you understand.  Mr. Portnoy's behavior over the last year or so has been classic, textbook passive/aggressive behavior disorder.  It's really rather fascinating and a little bit sad to watch it all unfold.

[hefdaddy42]

A few years ago, Portnoy was probably my favourite member of the band - and I was intending to buy his Constant Motion DVD.

Now, not so much.



Not at all...

You should still buy it, it's really good.

[Madman Shepherd]

A few years ago, Portnoy was probably my favourite member of the band - and I was intending to buy his Constant Motion DVD.

Now, not so much.



Not at all...

You should still buy it, it's really good.

I *sort of* agree.  It is really good, and I am not a drummer so that part of it really doesn't interest me other than being part of the music I love.  It is also really expensive...I think I paid 35-40 bucks for mine which I would normally not do but I was at a MP signing so I figured what the hell.  At 20 bucks it would definitely be worth it.  40....well, it depends on how into him/drums you are. 

[Kotowboy]

A few years ago, Portnoy was probably my favourite member of the band - and I was intending to buy his Constant Motion DVD.

Now, not so much.



Not at all...

You should still buy it, it's really good.

I have borrowed it from a friend and watched it before. But I think i'd rather get Creative Control by Thomas Lang

[snapple]

One thing I'll say is- now that Portnoy is out of the band, I've come to realize how much better other drummers are. Not saying that Portnoy is bad at all, in fact he is still among the elite drummers in the world and I do enjoy his style. But, the drumming feels so different in little ways on ADTOE. Little things in songs happen, like Mangini's timing with everything, that make me wonder if I would have ever gotten that from Portnoy. Like in the beginning of BAI. His hi-hat/snare playing, while nothing fancy pantsy, is just amazing. Sure, maybe Portnoy did things like this, but I couldn't tell you off the top of my head.

[cramx3]

If he could even go two months without starting a dumpster fire, I'd be willing to bet that the amount of negative posts about him around here would decrease by a good 80-90%.

Not too long ago there was actually a time when barely anybody talked about the DT/MP situation. But then MP decided to start another dumpster fire, and an especially vile one at that.

rumborak

Just read this and thought, bad press is better than no press.  He probably lurks this forum and notices no ones talking about him anymore so he makes a splash statement to get some attention.

[slycordinator]

If he could even go two months without starting a dumpster fire, I'd be willing to bet that the amount of negative posts about him around here would decrease by a good 80-90%.

Not too long ago there was actually a time when barely anybody talked about the DT/MP situation. But then MP decided to start another dumpster fire, and an especially vile one at that.

rumborak

Just read this and thought, bad press is better than no press.  He probably lurks this forum and notices no ones talking about him anymore so he makes a splash statement to get some attention.

And I recall it was BlobVanDam that pointed out that MP's post on the Feed the Machine vs BMUBMD issue occurred within a couple hours of the thread here and shortly after Mike's account logged in here. So I think it's pretty obvious that he is lurking.

[cramx3]

If he could even go two months without starting a dumpster fire, I'd be willing to bet that the amount of negative posts about him around here would decrease by a good 80-90%.

Not too long ago there was actually a time when barely anybody talked about the DT/MP situation. But then MP decided to start another dumpster fire, and an especially vile one at that.

rumborak

Just read this and thought, bad press is better than no press.  He probably lurks this forum and notices no ones talking about him anymore so he makes a splash statement to get some attention.

And I recall it was BlobVanDam that pointed out that MP's post on the Feed the Machine vs BMUBMD issue occurred within a couple hours of the thread here and shortly after Mike's account logged in here. So I think it's pretty obvious that he is lurking.

MP has a known account here?

[bosk1]

Yes.

[FlamTap]

And if I searched correctly. he has VIP status 

[Nick]

And if I searched correctly. he has VIP status 

As does Charlie Dominici, Rich Wilson, etc.