Parasomnia Timeline Thread

[hefdaddy42]

I don't know if this was meant ironically, but it's not written in green, so I guess it's either meant to be funny or to make fun of me. Can't really tell, but all is good.

I wasn't intending to make fun of you, my friend.  Just trying to be a little funny.

I can think of a whole lot of more ways to give updates and engage with fans. Just a photo of James singing for instance would do. Or James talking about his progress. James teasing a piece of a lyric sheet. James talking about a specific vocal technique he uses for a specific part. Mike making a short video clip of James in his vocal booth. And so on...

I mean they should do it, just to keep us guys discuss all the details, right? ;-)

I agree, but this kind of thing has never really been their forte (other than MP of course).

[cramx3]

I don't know if this was meant ironically, but it's not written in green, so I guess it's either meant to be funny or to make fun of me. Can't really tell, but all is good. First of all I meant updates on the recording in general.

But even if it's solely about James' singing, I can think of a whole lot of more ways to give updates and engage with fans. Just a photo of James singing for instance would do. Or James talking about his progress. James teasing a piece of a lyric sheet. James talking about a specific vocal technique he uses for a specific part. Mike making a short video clip of James in his vocal booth. And so on...

I mean they should do it, just to keep us guys discuss all the details, right? ;-)

I somewhat agree.  Mostly because we live in a world where social media relevancy matters for things like entertainment and music.  JLB however is not too active sharing on social media so it's not a surprise if he's not constantly updating compared to MP who is very active on social media.  But that doesn't mean the band account can't share anything, but I'm going to guess, there just isn't  much to share.  Maybe they will do the examples as you stated in due time. They may just be focused solely on the music at the moment and the content will come.

[The Paddies]

I wasn't intending to make fun of you, my friend.  Just trying to be a little funny.
I agree, but this kind of thing has never really been their forte (other than MP of course).

Like I said. All is good. No offense taken. I think I really expected more because of Mike's return.

So my guess is the band might have had discussions about what to share and what not. And if I keep guessing, I think they decided to keep things close to the chest.  Maybe, just maybe, because they will have a documentary. Just wishful thinking.

[The Paddies]

I somewhat agree.  Mostly because we live in a world where social media relevancy matters for things like entertainment and music.  JLB however is not too active sharing on social media so it's not a surprise if he's not constantly updating compared to MP who is very active on social media.  But that doesn't mean the band account can't share anything, but I'm going to guess, there just isn't  much to share.  Maybe they will do the examples as you stated in due time. They may just be focused solely on the music at the moment and the content will come.

Yes, time will tell. They must have their reasons. And I trust them.

[efx]

It's also probable that regardless of what the band itself might want to share this is a big record to promote for the label and in this day and age promotion online is a lot different than back in the MP heydays of him sharing whatever. It's likely the label wants to build a more planned campaign around the proceedings.

[MinistroRaven]

[Lonk]

If DT really wanted to get theirs going nuts, they should release a 10-15 second video of James recording vocals but with no audio and tell people to see if they can read his lips to figure out any lyrics.

They should just mess with all us by posting a 10 second "snippet", of something that's not going to make the final product.

[Adami]

They should just mess with all us by posting a 10 second "snippet", of something that's not going to make the final product.

Sure, but my idea wasn't to mess with people. DT fans puzzles and putting things together. You post an audioless video of him singing and you'll get tons of people trying to figure out the lyrics. It'll generate excitment and conversation beyond "MP WILL RUIN EVERYTHING" "NO MP WILL FIX EVERYTHING!"

[brakkum]

If DT really wanted to get theirs going nuts, they should release a 10-15 second video of James recording vocals but with no audio and tell people to see if they can read his lips to figure out any lyrics.

That would be kinda cool, or like the SoC songwriting contest they did during Train of Thought, that would be interesting to try and replicate

[naimad]

13:15 - Interesting insight about DT16.

[Lonk]

Sure, but my idea wasn't to mess with people. DT fans puzzles and putting things together. You post an audioless video of him singing and you'll get tons of people trying to figure out the lyrics. It'll generate excitment and conversation beyond "MP WILL RUIN EVERYTHING" "NO MP WILL FIX EVERYTHING!"

True  , specially if we aren't getting new music for several months

[TAC]

13:15 - Interesting insight about DT16.

Part of me is really dreading the press tour for the new album.

[crystalstars17]

Just a photo of James singing for instance would do. Or James talking about his progress. James teasing a piece of a lyric sheet. James talking about a specific vocal technique he uses for a specific part.

I would be ecstatic over this much from James 😍

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

If DT really wanted to get theirs going nuts, they should release a 10-15 second video of James recording vocals but with no audio and tell people to see if they can read his lips to figure out any lyrics.

Detective TheHoveringSojourn808 on the case 

[Dream Team]

Detective TheHoveringSojourn808 on the case 

Maybe a lyric will be "wow".

[Schurftkut]

just wait for the documentary

[MinistroRaven]

just wait for the documentary

I am actually asking JR if they have planned something like this for the return of MP

[Trav]

13:15 - Interesting insight about DT16.

He came in to save the band basically?

[DT05]

Sounds right to me. DT desperately needed saving, glad Portnoy and the rest of the band are acknowledging that they were not in the best segue of their career without him.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

He came in to save the band basically?

Nice catch and very interesting! There does appear to be some implication that the band was in some type of trouble like it was before Jordan and James joined. He used the words 'career resurrection' and 'turning points' and then said he sees the new record as being 'just as important as those two.'

[naimad]

Nice catch and very interesting! There does appear to be some implication that the band was in some type of trouble like it was before Jordan and James joined. He used the words 'career resurrection' and 'turning points' and then said he sees the new record as being 'just as important as those two.'

That's interesting. The situation in the past tour wasn't very good isn't it? I suppose he was refering to that scenario. And the band was a little bit stale musically.. I hope he is right about the renewed energy and it´s not only part of a marketing campaign.

[efx]

With a but of hindsight it wouldn't surprise me if that was the case. We didn't have Dreamsonic in Europe but the last couple of times they were here the crowd sizes weren't what they used to be. Anectodal I know but again, wouldn't surprise me.

It didn't seem like it affected them
on stage though as they seemed to have as good a time as any.

[brakkum]

As others have said, and is purely speculation, I think MM may not have been enough of a "member" in that maybe he wasn't as opinionated in the direction of the band as the others may have wished. Not to dismiss the input he did have, and clearly they enjoyed playing with him, but seems like they may have missed MP's opinions and direction after the last 13 years.

[MinistroRaven]

I am actually asking JR if they have planned something like this for the return of MP

Well, I just wrapped up my interview with Jordan Rudess. We covered his new album, but when the conversation turned to Dream Theater, Mike, and the upcoming tour, he mentioned he had another interview starting in two minutes. So, unfortunately, I didn't get to ask any of my 16 Dream Theater questions.

I'm about to process the recording now and will upload the interview later today. Stay tuned!

EDIT: 

These were the questions I had for him regarding DT16:

• We are 92 days away from the start of the tour in Europe and South America. Are you guys excited?
• Are there plans to add more dates in South America, such as Colombia or Peru? Also, when will the US dates be announced?
• Are there any plans to tour Australia, given that the region was missed in the last two tour cycles?
• Was it always the plan to embark on a tour before releasing the new Dream Theater album, or was this decision influenced by other factors like delays or the album's complexity?
• I've seen updates from the band mentioning that the drums, guitars, and keys are finished, and that James is currently recording his vocal parts. Has John Myung completed his parts as well?
• Is John Petrucci producing this album? I recall that previous albums were produced by both John and Mike. Aside from recording his drum parts, what has Mike's involvement been this time?
• Have you considered taking a more extensive role in producing other bands or even Dream Theater albums?
• Is there a tentative release date for the new Dream Theater album?
• Will you be bringing the Continuum and or the Harpeji on the next Dream Theater tour?
• James Labrie has mentioned in interviews that it's challenging to sing older songs. For the upcoming tour that focuses on your band's history, are there any plans to adapt or alter these older tracks to suit his current vocal range, like downtuning or changing the vocal arrangements?
• When Images and Words was released, the band was undergoing a period of change with the addition of James LaBrie. Similarly, Scenes from a Memory marked a significant moment with your joining the band. Now, with Mike Portnoy's return and a new album in the works, do you think DT16 will be as highly regarded as those two albums?
• When Mike Portnoy left the band in 2010, you made a documentary about the auditions for a new drummer. Now that Mike has returned, are you planning to create a new documentary about his return and the new album?
• Can you shed light on the conversation with Mike Mangini about the lineup change? Did the entire band participate, or was it handled by management only?
• What are the plans for LTE4? I recall Mike mentioning a two-record deal; can you provide any updates?
• Are there any plans to release the MIDI data for Biaxident, which might aid in transcribing your parts?
• Is there anything else you'd like to share with your fans before we wrap up this interview?
• Thank you so much for your time. I hope to catch you guys when you're near this area.

[TAC]

I'm particularly interested in 10 & 13.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Sounds right to me. DT desperately needed saving, glad Portnoy and the rest of the band are acknowledging that they were not in the best segue of their career without him.

Disagree with this take/idea that DT needed saving

[HOF]

I'd also guess "DT needed saving" is reading too much into MP's comments. I think he's just pointing out how I&W and SFAM were important albums after big transitions in the band, and this is certainly a big transition in the band. I'm sure DT could have carried on successfully with MM. Now, it's probably equally true that DT could still benefit from a change and bringing MP back in, so in that sense I think it makes sense to draw some parallels to the situation when James joined and when JR joined. I wouldn't read too much more into it than that though.

[Zydar]

Disagree with this take/idea that DT needed saving

And especially saving from those awful Grammy nominations/wins. 

[nobloodyname]

I'm particularly interested in 10 & 13.

Indeed. Shame we're not going to get the answers.

[MinistroRaven]

Indeed. Shame we're not going to get the answers.

Not yet, but I'll definitely ask him when they start promoting DT16. We've agreed to set up another interview by then.

[Jamesman42]

I wouldn't read too much more into it than that though.

Asking DTFers not to read too much into it is like asking Trump to not look into the Sun during an eclipse.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

Asking DTFers not to read too much into it is like asking Trump to not look into the Sun during an eclipse.

[gzarruk]

Not yet, but I'll definitely ask him when they start promoting DT16. We've agreed to set up another interview by then.

Not the hero we deserve, but definitely the hero we need

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I'd also guess "DT needed saving" is reading too much into MP's comments. I think he's just pointing out how I&W and SFAM were important albums after big transitions in the band, and this is certainly a big transition in the band. I'm sure DT could have carried on successfully with MM. Now, it's probably equally true that DT could still benefit from a change and bringing MP back in, so in that sense I think it makes sense to draw some parallels to the situation when James joined and when JR joined. I wouldn't read too much more into it than that though.

DT 'needed saving' is probably reading too much, but I think he meant something more than the band could have carried on successfully with MM. If he meant things would be fine either way, the comparison he made was a bit odd.

[Dream Team]

And especially saving from those awful Grammy nominations/wins.

Nice