MP getting insulted

[dodido253]

From MP facebook:

Somebody came to my signing today wearing a "Dramatic Turn Of Events" shirt....REALLY??? Couldn't find a DT shirt from 1985-2010? Please try to use some sensibility/sensitivity when choosing a shirt for an MP event...

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But seriously, this isn't the sort of thing that should outrage a person. I bet this stuff happens all the time with bands that change their line-up.

[Buddyhunter1]

-__-

sigh...

[dodido253]

He just deleted the status..

Sad I can't post anything on my own FB & Twitter without getting everyone jumping down my throat..seems everyone's allowed an opinion but me

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

This is just a thought, but maybe if he jumped down other people's throats less, this wouldn't happen?

And come on, does anyone really think someone came to his signing just to passive-aggressively insult him with their shirt? Come on, man.

[TheGreatPretender]

  Kids.

[jammindude]

I thought the same thing.

I just can't believe that Mike takes a ADOTE shirt *personally*.   

I know that there are people that thin-skinned, but most of them need to learn to not be quite THAT thin-skinned.     I wish he had someone close to him who could just reassure him that it's not what he thinks it is, and he just can't keep taking something like a shirt so personally.   Especially 4 years after the fact. 

The vast majority of his fans are crossover fans, and he really needs to learn to be cool with that.

[Zook]

In a perfect world a fan can show up to a MP signing with a post MP DT shirt and Portnoy can say, "hey that's a great album/cool shirt/whatever". Khan wouldn't whine like a bitch if I met him and I was wearing a Silverthorn shirt. You know why? Khan has said that he likes the album.

[The Dark Master]

I mean, I get why Mike would be a bit put off by a ADTOE shirt, but I think this illustrates fully the differences between the viewpoint of MP versus the viewpoint of DT fans in general on the MP/DT split.  In the mind of Mike Portnoy (I would guess, based on his comments on the matter) he views post-MP Dream Theater as a distinct entity from the previous incarnation of the band.  But in the minds of most DT fans, it's just a new period in the band's history, not a different band entirely.  While I wouldn't put it past someone, given Mike's acrimonious relationship with the DT fanbase post-2010, to wear the shirt as dick move, I think the much more likely explanation is that the fan just figured "it's a Dream Theater shirt" without consciously thinking that the album represented on the shirt did not involve Mike.  He just wanted to wear a Dream Theater shirt to an ex-Dream Theater member's book-signing. 

Again, I get why Mike would be a bit upset about it, but he should really give the guy (and fans like him) the benefit of the doubt in cases like this.  After all, the guy was at a Mike Portnoy event; he is obviously a fan of Mike as an individual, as well as Dream Theater as a band.  There is no reason the two need to be mutually exclusive.

[Kotowboy]

  What a shock ! Mike dissing Dream Theater since he quit then deleting the insults and backpedalling.

" I'm over DT "


Tell that to every interview you ever do.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Maybe MP should think about all the time for the last 20 years fans have come up to Kevin Moore, Derek Sherinian, Chris Collins and Charlie Dominici wearing all kinds of DT shirts and you don't hear them complain publicly.

[MoraWintersoul]

Whatev, I don't care.

[Another_Won]

I mean, I get why Mike would be a bit put off by a ADTOE shirt, but I think this illustrates fully the differences between the viewpoint of MP versus the viewpoint of DT fans in general on the MP/DT split.  In the mind of Mike Portnoy (I would guess, based on his comments on the matter) he views post-MP Dream Theater as a distinct entity from the previous incarnation of the band.  But in the minds of most DT fans, it's just a new period in the band's history, not a different band entirely.  While I wouldn't put it past someone, given Mike's acrimonious relationship with the DT fanbase post-2010, to wear the shirt as dick move, I think the much more likely explanation is that the fan just figured "it's a Dream Theater shirt" without consciously thinking that the album represented on the shirt did not involve Mike.  He just wanted to wear a Dream Theater shirt to an ex-Dream Theater member's book-signing. 

Again, I get why Mike would be a bit upset about it, but he should really give the guy (and fans like him) the benefit of the doubt in cases like this.  After all, the guy was at a Mike Portnoy event; he is obviously a fan of Mike as an individual, as well as Dream Theater as a band.  There is no reason the two need to be mutually exclusive.

Exactly.  I mean, what if this guy only had one DT shirt and just wanted to show support.  I could have done the very same thing and certainly wouldn't have thought that he would have been offended.  On the other hand, I do think that people WAAAAY overreact to EVERYTHING he says.  Granted in this case it might have been warranted but still . . . sometimes people just need to say whatever (I actually wanted to put the :idunno: thing but I didn't get it right)

[Fiery Winds]

At first glance, I was sympathetic towards MP thinking that the fan asked Mike to sign the shirt (which would be in poor taste) but just showing up in the shirt?  That's just looking to be offended and he'll get no sympathy from me.

[WDADU]

Being somewhat put off by the shirt is one thing---and even a little understandable. But I don't think it's to the effect where it has to voiced (especially so sourly, and on Facebook/Twitter, no less). Maybe he, the fan, doesn't have another Dream Theater shirt, and was just thinking of the band as a whole unit, instead of ex-members/line-ups suddenly creating limitations. Another immature move by Mike Portnoy.

[JayOctavarium]

I guess Portnoy really hates clowns...

[Rodni Demental]

MP probably should have given dude the benefit of the doubt.

But personally, I'd probably be conscious of something like that and I wouldn't wear that shirt to a MP event. It's pretty insignificant but I think it'd still cross my mind that it had the potential to stir something or get some funny looks.

[Zantera]

I think his reaction was pretty silly, but considering the emotions involved (him being a founding member of DT and being an integral part of the band for 25 years, and the band being his "baby"), I can feel at least some sympathy for the guy.

A more normal reaction would have been "Oh, that guy has a Dream Theater T-Shirt. So he really loves the band that I was such an important part of for so many years, it's nice to know that your life worth of musical accomplishments is appreciated"

But instead he focused on the ADTOE aspect. Without knowing the guy in the T-shirt personally, isn't it more likely that he's just some poor guy who is a huge DT-fan, got the first DT T-shirt he could, wore it to "honor" MP without even knowing or realizing that MP wasn't on ADTOE? I find it hard to believe that he would show up just to taunt MP.

[TheGreatPretender]

MP probably should have given dude the benefit of the doubt.

But personally, I'd probably be conscious of something like that and I wouldn't wear that shirt to a MP event. It's pretty insignificant but I think it'd still cross my mind that it had the potential to stir something or get some funny looks.

Well, maybe the guy just wanted to rile up MP in a friendly way. Maybe he wanted something along the lines of, "Oh, very funny, smart guy. Nice shirt!" Get a reaction, have a laugh. Like someone asking JLB to autograph a copy of WDADU.

[badger]

Obvious unresolved issues

[SuperTaco]

For him to act that way.. It seems like there are things related to the band/breakup that are still upsetting him. Well, obviously it's very difficult to part with something that was a huge part of your life for so long, but I guess I thought it had reached a point where there wouldn't be this kind of sourness. Seeing this happen to a fan is especially disheartening because their intentions were probably good.

I really hope those guys will be able to mend the damage someday. It doesn't have to be MP rejoining or anything like that. Just for them to be able to laugh and have a good time together again would be terrific. They say time heals all wounds.. I don't know about all of them, but it can certainly heal a lot.

[Zook]

And to no one's surprise, Blabbermouth has picked this up.

[antigoon]

This guy is becoming a caricature of himself. Love it.

[Ravenfoul]

And to no one's surprise, Blabbermouth has picked this up.

Hah. 'Portnoys dramatic t-shirt sensitivity'. What a headline.
Edit: I still love Portnoy. Though I do think the situation speaks for itself.

[King Postwhore]

I understand his feelings but he has to be above the people trying to provoke him.  In his position he can't do that.


It's a big WTF to Mike.  Mike we still love following you but you let the minority win.  Be better than them.

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

I mean, how would you feel if someone came up to you wearing shirt with a picture of a toy that the baby you left in a divorce liked to play with on it? (These things must be discussed with baby analogies)

I can't (I actually can) believe that he's still that upset by this sort of thing. It's been a good time since he left now. Anyways, someone posted a picture of the ADTOE album cover on MP's most recent post on FB, and it has 140+ likes. 

[orcus116]

He didn't ask him to sign the shirt did he?

[Laughingplace56]

I don't know about the actual fan wearing the ADToE shirt or anyone else for that matter, but if it was me that wore the shirt to his signing (and I probably wouldn't; I'd wear a DT shirt from his era), and then found out he was that offended about it and saw him publicly bitch about it on Facebook/Twitter, I'd feel so, so crushed. To think that someone who's work/legacy has inspired me so much that I would want to go meet the guy and get something signed by him would feel I offended him to the degree it apparently did by simply wearing a shirt, that would then make him then vocalize how he was offended to over a million people on social media, I wouldn't feel to great about it. And you can really think he saw that status, if he has Facebook and saw it before it was deleted.

[Bolsters]

I'm wondering what (if anything) Mike actually said to the ADTOE Shirt Guy in person. I mean, if he was irate enough to post that on Facebook several hours later, could he have actually kept his mouth shut in person?

[rumborak]

You know, if this fan had shown up with that shirt in 2011, maybe I could understand the reaction. It is the year 2014, and it's 4 years ago that he quit DT. Time to get over it.

[SystematicThought]

That'd suck to be the guy who was wearing the t-shirt, especially if he didn't mean to be "insulting" He was just getting an autograph from a musician he's a fan of and then that musician goes on social media to rip on you for wearing a shirt.... That would suck.

[King Postwhore]

He just posted again on Facebook.  He can't stop himself.

[orcus116]

You know, if this fan had shown up with that shirt in 2011, maybe I could understand the reaction. It is the year 2014, and it's 4 years ago that he quit DT. Time to get over it.

Yeah, pretty much that. It's kind of sad to think that someone will Portnoy will keep stuff like this going for a long time, at least at the rate this stuff pops up. At this point, it's looking like a sign of regret more than anything.

[Laughingplace56]

That'd suck to be the guy who was wearing the t-shirt, especially if he didn't mean to be "insulting" He was just getting an autograph from a musician he's a fan of and then that musician goes on social media to rip on you for wearing a shirt.... That would suck.

Exactly my point.

The person who posted the ADToE album cover as a comment to one of MP's statuses has a bunch of people bitching at him in the comments under it and it's really funny 

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

Once again everyone's got their panties in a bundle and have taken a post of mine and turned it into sensationalized "news"....ugh!
Look...it's as simple as this: do what you want, say what you want, listen to what you want, wear whatever shirt you want...it's a free world!!
All I'm saying is remember there are human beings on the other side of your words and actions!
I'm into peace, love and understanding...live and let live...sometimes we all get emotional, I am totally guilty of that, no question!! I am a passionate person...But I have no ill intent towards anybody and have no anger or resentments, so please don't attack me as if I do...
Can't we all get along??? Haha...
Lighten up, live and love! : )

I guess that's an apology or something...

I would definitely be crushed if I was that fan. He should heed his advice about "human beings on the other side of your words and actions", and if he doesn't want people to assume malicious intent about things he says, he should not do so about a fan who wanted to meet him. Either way, I do rather like what he posted, whether or not it's believable.