But to say that JLB is a "permanent hired gun" is just plain disrespectful. He's the front man for the band, not just in terms of singing the songs, but being the face and the voice of the band. And sure, there was a time when Portnoy just wanted to do ALL the speaking on behalf of the band, at interviews and such, but hey, if you asked me, I would've said that wasn't right anyway.
As soon as Portnoy was gone, JLB really stepped up as the frontman for the band though. He's been doing more interviews, and informing everyone about what's going on in the band.
I think it's convenient to revise history by mapping the *new* post-ADTOE band dynamics all the way back through the history of the band. Before MP quit, like it or not, James was being flown in when the whole music was written and recorded, and he would lay down the vocal lines he was told. He barely gave any band interviews, and even live, the moment he had nothing to sing, he disappeared off stage.
I can see your argument about the *new* DT, but with old DT, James was indeed a permanent hired gun, or at least treated that way. Case in point, MP threatened to kick him out unless he got his shit together (according to Lifting Shadows). You don't just single-handedly kick out a fully equal band member. Clearly JLB was viewed and treated as a second-tier band member.
There is certainly an element of truth in what you are saying, and it is an element that a lot of fans overlook or are not aware of. I am paraphrasing and do not recall the
exact wording, but when Charlie was brought in, they told him that basically his job was mostly just to handle the vocal department (apparently, just singing and writing
some vocal melodies and lyrics), and the rest of the band handled the music side. When James was eventually brought in, he was given a similar, but somewhat watered-down version of that same message. That is true. But beyond that, you are way oversimplifying to the point where your main point is not really accurate (not to mention some specific factual inaccuracies in what you posted).
Things changed with respect to James
throughout his time in the band. His role and his public presence varied considerably, and I would not say it was
ever really a constant. During the late I&W and early Awake period, he was giving a LOT of interviews and acting as the public face of the band. And his presence in studio also varied considerably. Remember that when he was given the "ultimatum" in the Six Degrees period, it was something
the band had decided, and was actually based on
two things: (1) they felt he had stopped trying to work on keeping his vocals sharp, and (2)
they wanted him to be present and participate in the studio.
Look, I get what you are saying. And like I said, there is an element of it that is dead on that a lot of people overlook. But you are extrapolating way too much that is not accurate.