Derek Sherinian's Tweet about James

[KevShmev]

We both met Portnoy and Myung at Disneyworld before the Orlando House of Blues show back in 2000, sometime in the afternoon hours before the show.  It was so long ago that I have little memory left of either encounter (it was minutes apart, as we met them separately), but I know both were friendly and totally fine with taking quick pics with us.

[nikatapi]

I've met JR, DS and MM so far, MM in person.

All of them were cool, Derek seems like a strong character at times.

Jordan is super professional overall.

I have the fondest memory with Mike Mangini. I had a face-to-face interview with him, while waiting in the lobby he passed by and seemed a bit tired, like not wanting to be noticed by anyone.

In the room, such a pleasant and good person. Our slot was for about 30 minutes, and when the manager came in to give us a notice to wrap it up at one point, he told him "we need more time" and we kept chatting for another 30 minutes. He's so passionate and loving for what he does, and I really appreciate him as a person as well.

[Mladen]

I met everyone except for JM back in 2015 after a summer festival show. MM was super friendly, JP was kind, JR was patient. MM even made sure nobody left without a photo. It was truly pleasant chatting with them.

JLB was sick as a dog, yet stayed taking pictures with everybody, moving away to cough between the photos. He seemed devastated we made the trip to see the band and got him in his sick condition. We were like, dude, what are you talking about, it was still awesome. 

[nobloodyname]

I met the classic five in 2007, I think it was. JP skulked around like a stroppy sixth form poet, James and Jordan were more interested in talking to each other. MP was fine and made me laugh (I handed him the Score DVD insert and asked him to sign. "I was there!", I said. "So was I!", came the immediate response). John Myung was incredibly attentive. I thanked him for the music. He shook my hand, vice-like grip he had, looked me in the eye and said, "no, no... thank YOU, man."

[Stadler]

Yeah you just never know. If you don't have daily access to these people you build up an idea of what you'd want the encounter to be in your head that sadly might not match reality if you meet them on an off day. So I know what you're saying.

Funny for me, one of the most nice, caring and inspirational experiences I have meeting someone was meeting Yngwie back when I was around 13. But I get that even though I had a wonderful experience that was probably out of the ordinary, especially for that time period

That's Gene Simmons to me. Met him twice and he was an angel both times. In situations where he did not have to, he looked at me in the eye, asked how I was doing whatever, and in one case, walked through the booklets from Alive! and Alive II with me while Paul chatted up two hotties.  Wonderful guy, at least to me, at least in those two moments (and for the record, he didn't make a dime off of the first encounter; it was an entirely free meet and greet at a record store before their show in New Haven on the Lick It Up tour.  The second I didn't PAY for, but it was as part of seeing his solo band in Philly, so I wouldn't have been there if I didn't have a ticket).


Of DT, I've only met Mike, twice.  Both times he was perfectly pleasant; wasn't QUITE as effusive as I'd been led to believe, but he may have been tired.  He did perk up the first time when I told him who I was, and he thanked me for some of the things I wrote on his site during the split (though I said something that could be taken two different ways, and to this day I wonder which way he took it...).  The second he was talking to someone on the side and signed my stuff perfectly pleasantly, I said it was still a thrill to watch him drum, he said thanks, and I moved on to Randy George.  Haha. 

[TheCountOfNYC]

I've met all DT members from SFaM on. MP was friendly but quiet when I met him with the Winery Dogs but I was also too starstruck and nervous to say anything to him. I met all of DT with MM on the Astonishing tour. JLB was the kindest out of all of them, cracking jokes with all of the fans. MM was also super friendly. The rest of the band was a bit quiet, but none were rude, and the whole band was generous with their time, even if only James and Mike were generous with their words.

[Uncle Rico]

I've met all of them several times, and Petrucci has always been my favorite, and the nicest.

[Jamesman42]

I saw Derek Sherinian at a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn't want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything.
He said, "Oh, like you're doing now?"
I was taken aback, and all I could say was "Huh?" but he kept cutting me off and going "huh? huh? huh?" and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying.
The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like "Sir, you need to pay for those first." At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter.
When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually "to prevent any electrical infetterence," and then turned around and winked at me. I don't even think that's a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

I saw Derek Sherinian at a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn't want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything.
He said, "Oh, like you're doing now?"
I was taken aback, and all I could say was "Huh?" but he kept cutting me off and going "huh? huh? huh?" and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying.
The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like "Sir, you need to pay for those first." At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter.
When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually "to prevent any electrical infetterence," and then turned around and winked at me. I don't even think that's a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

Thought you lived in Florida? Either way he sounds like a real jerk

[DTA]

I saw Derek Sherinian at a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn't want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything.
He said, "Oh, like you're doing now?"
I was taken aback, and all I could say was "Huh?" but he kept cutting me off and going "huh? huh? huh?" and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying.
The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like "Sir, you need to pay for those first." At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter.
When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually "to prevent any electrical infetterence," and then turned around and winked at me. I don't even think that's a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

Been forever since I've seen this 

[nobloodyname]

I've met all of them several times, and Petrucci has always been my favorite, and the nicest.

Welcome back

[Parasomnia]

Derek has been very quiet since the Milan concert   

[wolfking]

I saw Derek Sherinian at a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn't want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything.
He said, "Oh, like you're doing now?"
I was taken aback, and all I could say was "Huh?" but he kept cutting me off and going "huh? huh? huh?" and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying.
The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like "Sir, you need to pay for those first." At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter.
When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually "to prevent any electrical infetterence," and then turned around and winked at me. I don't even think that's a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

What the hell is this? 

[Uncle Rico]

Welcome back

Eh, fuck it. I've got nothing better to do lol. Still laying in a hospital bed staring at the ceiling. Might as well pass the time somehow.

[nobloodyname]

Been forever since I've seen this 

This implies it's some sort of handed down story?

[MoraWintersoul]

This implies it's some sort of handed down story?

Yup, it's a famous copypasta. Though seeing it on DTF is way outside of its usual environment 

[hunnus2000]

I have a question about DS. We know that JR was the first choice to replace KM and JR wasn't available. Does anyone think that DS's personality had anything to do with it?

[HOF]

I have a question about DS. We know that JR was the first choice to replace KM and JR wasn't available. Does anyone think that DS's personality had anything to do with it?

I don't know if DS was in the running until after JR said no (the other guy they were considering was Jens Johansson initially).

[ytserush]

On social media (not here fortunetely) DT fans are completely toxic. Until this time their prime target was Mike Mangini. With MP returning they think this is their victory to have MP back.   Now it's James LaBrie. They constantly shout out to the band to fire and replace him.

It's the platform. Not worth the time. Here there is discourse generally.

[ytserush]

The reality that Derek is going to have to face some day is that Dream Theater never wanted him in the first place. They initially asked Jordan to replace Kevin in 1994 but he turned it down because it wasn't the right career move for him at the time. Derek was only in the band because their first choice said no. Once Jordan showed interest, Derek was out. He can take shots at the band all he wants, but that doesn't change the fact that he's arguably the least important member in their entire history.

He became that the day he joined the band.

[ytserush]

"A band is only as good as their singer".

Well as Orbert said Dream Theater was never mentioned so without more context he could have had Van Halen in mind or it was just a general comment.

[Max Kuehnau]

I only quoted him. I know that he could have referred to any band. (he tweeted this during or after DT's London date recently though, so I (and almost everyone I suspect) guess he was referring to James)

[Jamesman42]

Well as Orbert said Dream Theater was never mentioned so without more context he could have had Van Halen in mind or it was just a general comment.

We have all the context we need to know he was talking about JLB.

[Stewie Griffin]

Derek Sherinian is a twat.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Sounds like Twitter is the perfect platform for his thoughts, then

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

I think it says a lot that Derek being a resentful drama queen got 4 pages of discussion while the tour thread has 65.

[Setlist Scotty]

I have a question about DS. We know that JR was the first choice to replace KM and JR wasn't available. Does anyone think that DS's personality had anything to do with it?

Derek wasn't even in the picture initially. It was just JR and Jens Johansson. They picked JR, but as we all know, JR opted to go with the Dregs. Instead of just going with Jens (dunno why), they auditioned 2 or 3 other guys, one of whom was Derek who got the gig. So Derek's personality had nothing to do with him not getting the gig initially. In fact, back in the day, he was much more humble.

In fact, I recently had a convo with a friend who shall remain nameless who has had dealings with Derek even within the last year, and he was telling me that Derek is just the kind of guy who talks to a person like one of his buddies, so not much of a filter. Unfortunately, because of his higher profile as a musician, what he says carries more weight than if Stads or TAC said it, so he catches a lot more flack.

Not that I'm trying to defend Derek, but I thought it was an interesting and different perspective. Personally I believe that to some extent, and I think some of what he says is just a "show business" front that he picked up from Gene $immons, but I also feel he's said some things that do go over the line as well as completely inappropriate even if "show business".

[Wim Kruithof]

The link to Sherinians Twitter doesn't work for me. I am curious to see what it was.

off-topic

Nope. Not at all.

I took my oldest to a SOA show...

You have no idea how weird this is to read for a Dutch guy. Here in The Netherlands SOA capitals for Seksueel Overdraagbare Aandoening, in English, Sexually Transmitted Desease... like Aids, Gonnorhea etc.

[Schurftkut]

The link to Sherinians Twitter doesn't work for me. I am curious to see what it was.

off-topic

You have no idea how weird this is to read for a Dutch guy. Here in The Netherlands SOA capitals for Seksueel Overdraagbare Aandoening, in English, Sexually Transmitted Desease... like Aids, Gonnorhea etc.

I told derek that on FB, his response: "Ugh.."

[hunnus2000]

Derek wasn't even in the picture initially. It was just JR and Jens Johansson. They picked JR, but as we all know, JR opted to go with the Dregs. Instead of just going with Jens (dunno why), they auditioned 2 or 3 other guys, one of whom was Derek who got the gig. So Derek's personality had nothing to do with him not getting the gig initially. In fact, back in the day, he was much more humble.

In fact, I recently had a convo with a friend who shall remain nameless who has had dealings with Derek even within the last year, and he was telling me that Derek is just the kind of guy who talks to a person like one of his buddies, so not much of a filter. Unfortunately, because of his higher profile as a musician, what he says carries more weight than if Stads or TAC said it, so he catches a lot more flack.

Not that I'm trying to defend Derek, but I thought it was an interesting and different perspective. Personally I believe that to some extent, and I think some of what he says is just a "show business" front that he picked up from Gene $immons, but I also feel he's said some things that do go over the line as well as completely inappropriate even if "show business".

I appreciate the explanation. I've always thought that he had a HUGE ego but the biggest turnoff was during the SOA introduction. All keyboards and no Macs or whatever which was a dig at JR. I mean, I get that he is butt hurt but geez, time to move on.

However, I am glad people have had good experiences with him.

[Wukong]

The link to Sherinians Twitter doesn't work for me. I am curious to see what it was.

off-topic

You have no idea how weird this is to read for a Dutch guy. Here in The Netherlands SOA capitals for Seksueel Overdraagbare Aandoening, in English, Sexually Transmitted Desease... like Aids, Gonnorhea etc.

I like the name better now