Would you like to see Portnoy back in Dream theater?

[haceeb]

voting is over but i want to add my vote too. So here it is: 158+1=159 

[Konrad]

Oh, Mike Portnoy. Definately my favourite drummer. But... Back to Dream Theater? Uh, i don't know... It would be great if he never left the band, or if all the guys took some years off to rest or whatever.
I think getting Mangini out wouldn't be cool, the guy is doing a good job, especially live!

So, do i miss Portnoy? Hell yes.
Would i like to see him in Dream Theater? HELL yes.
Would i like to see him in Dream Theater again (as a member)? I don't think so... Unless they keep both drummers on the band. Now THAT would be awesome!

[sneakyblueberry]

Yes I would. 

[Siddhartha]

After watching LALP, I think the issue might be how lightly MM hits the drums live.

I have seen DT with Mangini three times live. I can tell you that the guy doesn´t hit the drums lightly at all.

The sounds captured on the releases don´t make justice to him.

Anyway  although I´m ok with Mangini being in the band I would love to see Portnoy back. I prefer his music and as a fan it was amazing all the things he did to give us an extra.

[Onno]

I have seen DT with Mangini three times live. I can tell you that the guy doesn´t hit the drums lightly at all.

The sounds captured on the releases don´t make justice to him.

This. He hits pretty hard. Moreover, his sticks are about 1.5 times as heavy as your average drumstick, which pretty much automatically makes hits louder. The latter statement is also very true. On ADTOE, the drum mix was absolutely horrid, especially the cymbals. DT12 was a bit better but it sounds way too much like a machine to me, which may be because of MM's super tight drumming but IMO is mostly due to the mix/production. His cymbals do stand out a bit better though. LALP was just as bad as ADTOE, especially regarding the cymbals.

[rumborak]

It's definitely the EQ etc during recording, but there's definitely also the factor that MM hits the drums rather mechanically. When you look at LALP drum solo, and compare that to something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmbayHHUPcA ,you notice that MM has almost no follow-through after his hits.

[Bertielee]

I hear you Rumby, but to me, MP's solo is boring.

B.Lee

[adastra]

It's definitely the EQ etc during recording, but there's definitely also the factor that MM hits the drums rather mechanically. When you look at LALP drum solo, and compare that to something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmbayHHUPcA ,you notice that MM has almost no follow-through after his hits.

Well, That was entertaining!    

[Sycsa]

Came across a few MP videos I haven't seen before:

- a drum clinic where he plays a bunch of famous beats. Collectively singing the mind-boggling instrumental part of Metropolis to the drum beat has to be one of the geekiest things I've ever seen, I love it: https://youtu.be/_j-SKPbNEyA?t=9m
- MP, Billy Sheehan and Chris Broderick play ACOS @ Metal Masters 2014. I know it's basically just a jam session, but it's painful to hear the song get butchered this way: https://youtu.be/nWGNfnim9HQ?t=9m50s

[rumborak]

Wow, yeah. That was not good. I started actually appreciating Billy's improvisations over some parts, because the tune needed desperate saving.
Impressively bad guitar sound I have to say.

[Dreamer]

I'll add mine too: No. MP's time was up, and wanting to come back after they'd made plans with Mangini was pretty unbelievable.
Musically I think they're stonger without him.

[sylvinception]

Keep Mangini for the writing and the studio, bring back Portnoy for the live shows!!

[Kotowboy]

No to both 

A drummer should never act like a frontman unless he is actually the lead singer.

[adastra]

No to both 

A drummer should never act like a frontman unless he is actually the lead singer.

Oh yes he should... You are wrong!

[Kotowboy]

Oops I didn't know.

[MoraWintersoul]

Oops I didn't know.

[Siddhartha]

No to both 

A drummer should never act like a frontman unless he is actually the lead singer.

Check this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZyaOlrb7E

[Kotowboy]

27 million views !!!!!!!

BRB - going to buy garish yellow spangly jacket and pink drumkit.

[Invisible]

No to both 

A drummer should never act like a frontman unless he is actually the lead singer.

Check this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZyaOlrb7E

That's just a classic .

I always thought that guy should form a band with this bass guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZBic3nD5M0
Pure showmanship!

Oh, and on the original topic, while I wish MP never left and appreciate everything he did while he was in DT, I think it's time to look forward, and Mangini is doing an amazing job, so no.

[tiagodon]

No to both 

A drummer should never act like a frontman unless he is actually the lead singer.

Check this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZyaOlrb7E

That's just a classic .

I always thought that guy should form a band with this bass guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZBic3nD5M0
Pure showmanship!

Oh, and on the original topic, while I wish MP never left and appreciate everything he did while he was in DT, I think it's time to look forward, and Mangini is doing an amazing job, so no.

"Amazing job"? That´s too strong! No, I don´t think he is. I think he needs more space to do his thing. I feel like JP is holding him back a little bit.

[robwebster]

Voted, never replied to the thread title.

Not only do I want them to keep Mangini, but I think Mike Portnoy was absolutely right to leave. He'd made all the Dream Theater music he wanted to, and he was clearly tired of it. I think the stuff he's doing now will give him more joy in the long term than staying with DT would have, and I think the music DT are making is refreshed in a way it wouldn't have been if nothing had changed and Mike Portnoy had stayed in his role as creative director.

I think there are ways he could have had his toast buttered on both sides, but I don't think he's the right man for them. Specifically, I don't think he's the kind of person who'd be content to sit back and let the other guys do the arranging, the setlists, the interviews. If John Petrucci had an idea for a setlist, Mike Portnoy wouldn't just sit there and go, "Cool," he'd have an idea, and another one, and another one. If he takes that hat off, he'd only end up putting it back on again - the only way to take that hat off is to leave the room entirely.

And frankly, it's more fun as a fan, now. There are things Mike did that were excellent that they don't do as much now, and there are things the band do now that Mike's band would never have done - but I think weariness is infectious, just as enthusiasm. He never seemed the sort to walk away from the band - it was and remains clear that he saw it as his baby - but the decision made a lot of sense in retrospect. Tired interviews, the Wither video was about how much touring sucked. People would ask him to describe the new album (BCSL), and he'd just say it was the tenth Dream Theater album! I think the BCSL era was a portrait of a man who'd realised that Dream Theater meant a lot less to him than it used to. The flip side, of course, is that his interviews in the ADToE era painted a portrait of a man who hadn't realised just how much DT still meant - but, I think it would have been the wrong choice to stay.

Mike Portnoy did good, but DT needed new vigour, and MP needed new inspiration. I'm sure there's still a bit of a twinge, "Hey, that's my band, they're releasing albums I have nothing to do with," but they've both got what they needed, even if it wasn't something they thought they wanted. I think Mike Portnoy rejoining Dream Theater would be a huge, huge, huge mistake for both parties.

[tiagodon]

Voted, never replied to the thread title.

Not only do I want them to keep Mangini, but I think Mike Portnoy was absolutely right to leave. He'd made all the Dream Theater music he wanted to, and he was clearly tired of it. I think the stuff he's doing now will give him more joy in the long term than staying with DT would have, and I think the music DT are making is refreshed in a way it wouldn't have been if nothing had changed and Mike Portnoy had stayed in his role as creative director.

I think there are ways he could have had his toast buttered on both sides, but I don't think he's the right man for them. Specifically, I don't think he's the kind of person who'd be content to sit back and let the other guys do the arranging, the setlists, the interviews. If John Petrucci had an idea for a setlist, Mike Portnoy wouldn't just sit there and go, "Cool," he'd have an idea, and another one, and another one. If he takes that hat off, he'd only end up putting it back on again - the only way to take that hat off is to leave the room entirely.

And frankly, it's more fun as a fan, now. There are things Mike did that were excellent that they don't do as much now, and there are things the band do now that Mike's band would never have done - but I think weariness is infectious, just as enthusiasm. He never seemed the sort to walk away from the band - it was and remains clear that he saw it as his baby - but the decision made a lot of sense in retrospect. Tired interviews, the Wither video was about how much touring sucked. People would ask him to describe the new album (BCSL), and he'd just say it was the tenth Dream Theater album! I think the BCSL era was a portrait of a man who'd realised that Dream Theater meant a lot less to him than it used to. The flip side, of course, is that his interviews in the ADToE era painted a portrait of a man who hadn't realised just how much DT still meant - but, I think it would have been the wrong choice to stay.

Mike Portnoy did good, but DT needed new vigour, and MP needed new inspiration. I'm sure there's still a bit of a twinge, "Hey, that's my band, they're releasing albums I have nothing to do with," but they've both got what they needed, even if it wasn't something they thought they wanted. I think Mike Portnoy rejoining Dream Theater would be a huge, huge, huge mistake for both parties.

Yes, agreed!
I see DT today as a JP dictatorship. The band is becoming more and more guitar-centered.
JP is the one leading the interviews, the main composer, the lyricist, the one choosing the setlists...

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Yes, agreed!
I see DT today as a JP dictatorship. The band is becoming more and more guitar-centered.
JP is the one leading the interviews, the main composer, the lyricist, the one choosing the setlists...

I don't quite agree with this. Saying the band is becoming more and more guitar-centered is a completely subjective thing to say. Dream Theater has always been a guitar-centered band. Train of Thought and Systematic Chaos are all about guitars, and people never went like "OMG JP'S TAKING OVER BEAR WTF" by the time DT released those albums. JP has always been the main lyricist of the band, aside from MP. James LaBrie stated he didn't write lyrics this time around because he felt he said everything he had to say with his solo album which is a very mature thing to say. John Myung has had his input as well, Jordan Rudess has clearly stated he isn't interested in writing lyrics for DT because the other guys are much more experienced in that department, and I don't see Mangini writing any lyrics. Ever.
Also, the JP leading the interviews thing is something completely erratic. All the guys (except for Myung) are having loads of interviews and are saying a lot of stuff. Funnily enough, I think the most entretaining guys to listen to are James LaBrie and Mangini. LaBrie has a very inteligent way of stating things, wheras Mangini offers a completely fresh perspective on things.

[robwebster]

I see DT today as a JP dictatorship. The band is becoming more and more guitar-centered.
JP is the one leading the interviews, the main composer, the lyricist, the one choosing the setlists...

I understand what you mean, inasmuch as JP's sort of filling the void MP left, but the band have been unanimous and consistent in saying Dream Theater's way more democratic today than it was five years ago. Everyone has a voice, and those voices are a lot more level, now. If you're seeing a JP dictatorship, I regret that your view's probably a little distorted!

[KevShmev]

Well said, as always, robwebster!!

As for it being a JP dictatorship, uh, no.  We are now seeing a lot of interviews with all five members of the band...even John Myung is doing them again on a regular basis!  During the last few years of the last decade, most DT-related interviews were seemingly either done by Portnoy alone or Portnoy and others.  I get that as the leader of the band, he felt like it was his job to promote the band as much as possible, but like I have said before, they seem like a cohesive band again.  And like rob said, it is just a lot of fun being a fan again!

[PixelDream]

It seems like DT nowadays are more healthy and unified as a band. Which is pretty much the most important thing if you ask me. Although I don't really like the music they're making with Mangini. But if they're happy this way, good for them. I'll see their shows now and then, but I consider myself moderately interested, as opposed to a 'fan' while MP was in the band. I felt more musical passion with MP in the band, but maybe that's just me.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Voted, never replied to the thread title.

Not only do I want them to keep Mangini, but I think Mike Portnoy was absolutely right to leave. He'd made all the Dream Theater music he wanted to, and he was clearly tired of it. I think the stuff he's doing now will give him more joy in the long term than staying with DT would have, and I think the music DT are making is refreshed in a way it wouldn't have been if nothing had changed and Mike Portnoy had stayed in his role as creative director.

I think there are ways he could have had his toast buttered on both sides, but I don't think he's the right man for them. Specifically, I don't think he's the kind of person who'd be content to sit back and let the other guys do the arranging, the setlists, the interviews. If John Petrucci had an idea for a setlist, Mike Portnoy wouldn't just sit there and go, "Cool," he'd have an idea, and another one, and another one. If he takes that hat off, he'd only end up putting it back on again - the only way to take that hat off is to leave the room entirely.

And frankly, it's more fun as a fan, now. There are things Mike did that were excellent that they don't do as much now, and there are things the band do now that Mike's band would never have done - but I think weariness is infectious, just as enthusiasm. He never seemed the sort to walk away from the band - it was and remains clear that he saw it as his baby - but the decision made a lot of sense in retrospect. Tired interviews, the Wither video was about how much touring sucked. People would ask him to describe the new album (BCSL), and he'd just say it was the tenth Dream Theater album! I think the BCSL era was a portrait of a man who'd realised that Dream Theater meant a lot less to him than it used to. The flip side, of course, is that his interviews in the ADToE era painted a portrait of a man who hadn't realised just how much DT still meant - but, I think it would have been the wrong choice to stay.

Mike Portnoy did good, but DT needed new vigour, and MP needed new inspiration. I'm sure there's still a bit of a twinge, "Hey, that's my band, they're releasing albums I have nothing to do with," but they've both got what they needed, even if it wasn't something they thought they wanted. I think Mike Portnoy rejoining Dream Theater would be a huge, huge, huge mistake for both parties.

Yes, agreed!
I see DT today as a JP dictatorship. The band is becoming more and more guitar-centered.
JP is the one leading the interviews, the main composer, the lyricist, the one choosing the setlists...

There is nothing to this. DT has always been a guitar centered and continues be to this day. You cannot point to anything that would suggest there is relatively MORE guitar now in the songs than there was in the MP era.

And you do know, I hope, that taking a more active role in managing various aspects of the band is not "more guitar-centered."

[Kotowboy]

I see interviews from everyone these days. Probably as much JR and MM as JP.

[Kotowboy]

To answer the original question.

Hypothetically - if MM were to leave for whatever reason and MP got his old job back -

- do you think he'd act on stage as though he'd never left or take a back seat for a while

and try to work his way back up to being the leader again ?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I believe he would assume total control and turn DT into a rap group like he always wanted.

[rumborak]

I'm pretty sure DT wouldn't survive another event like that. I honestly think at least one member (e.g. Jordan) would call it a day.

[Invisible]

"Amazing job"? That´s too strong! No, I don´t think he is. I think he needs more space to do his thing. I feel like JP is holding him back a little bit.

Too strong? Why? It's my opinion, dude! And JP maybe holding him back on the mix, but definetely not on his playing. MM may sound gentle and all, but the main reason he wanted to be in Dream Theater is to be able to do things he wouldn't be able to do on another band, and all he and the band said contradicts your statement, MM wants to do more, and the band does too. As a good guy as he is, I don't think he would accept anyone holding him back if he is a band member. And it's only his first album, give the guy a break!

And I don't see a JP dictatorship either. A guitar driven album has always been part of the DT album cycle with every line up. Awake, Train of Thought, Systematic Chaos and now DT12. I think DT has proven enough times already that just because they release an album in a certain way doesn't mean it's going to be their style from now on. Awake was followed by FII, ToT had Octavarium, and ADTOE had very upfront keyboards presence, and JR is still there, just not taking the lead so often.

And to answer to robwebster: to rephrase what I said more accurately, I wish MP didn't felt so burnt with DT that he felt the need to leave, and wish it wasn't what it took to refresh both the band and himself, but of course I think in the end everything was for the best, and I'm more than happy with the way things are. I certainly wouldn't want him to stay out of obligation.

Him coming back wouldn't restart everything to the point it was before, the balance of power is completely changed now, they proved they can handle everything just fine and the band found a completely new dynamic. Even if he came back, he would HAVE TO adjust to that new dynamic, he is no position of claiming leadership anymore. Of course, I think we have more chances of seeing JMX without a bass than MP coming back.

[Implode]

- a drum clinic where he plays a bunch of famous beats. Collectively singing the mind-boggling instrumental part of Metropolis to the drum beat has to be one of the geekiest things I've ever seen, I love it: https://youtu.be/_j-SKPbNEyA?t=9m

I'm laughing so hard at the audience trying to sing the bass solo. 

[ReaPsTA]

I see DT today as a JP dictatorship. The band is becoming more and more guitar-centered.
JP is the one leading the interviews, the main composer, the lyricist, the one choosing the setlists...

This is only vaguely true.

Before MP left, JP was the clear second-in-command of the group.  But it's not really a reach to say it was a dysfunctional dynamic.  MP controlled the business/PR side in a way that JLB and JR have openly said was uncomfortable.  And the music side had become stagnant.  When you read interviews about the last two albums, you see stuff about how JR wanted more space in the keyboard mix of ADTOE, the bass on DT12 being a focal point, and JLB getting more control over his singing.  The thing is, these kinds of things were issues in DTs music for years, but they simply weren't being talked about or addressed before MP left.

So yeah, JP's the undisputed leader of DT now.  No fan who's even remotely educated would disagree.  But he's also given everyone else a lot more room to breathe.

[Dreamer]

^ I agree, JP is the leader and is the best man for the job too so it makes sense on all levels. From what I've read MP was something of a bully. If he would like to be even more like Neil Peart maybe he should learn a little modesty and less ego maniac control freakery!