I do think the band is in a unique position to attract younger audiences. When I listen to their music I don't hear 'man that sounds dated' like I do with something Sammy Hagar for example.

It's just about reaching consumers where they are today, which is different mediums than 30 years ago.

Indeed, the anti MP bias is very clear with that poster.

JLB - I&W
JM - WDADU
JR - SFAM
MP - I&W
JP - SFAM
MM - D/T

Quote from: HOF on April 26, 2025, 01:30:43 PMI didn't pay the closest attention to DT during the Mangini years, but from an outsider perspective it seemed like the band were bigger than ever while he was in it. Grammy awards, playing to huge audiences in Europe and South America, and they were kind of getting their due as prog metal pioneers in the press and online. Maybe album sales stagnated, but they have always seemed to at least maintain a high profile even without MP in the band.

I agree. I thought creatively, they were still strong as well.

I didn't pay the closest attention to DT during the Mangini years, but from an outsider perspective it seemed like the band were bigger than ever while he was in it. Grammy awards, playing to huge audiences in Europe and South America, and they were kind of getting their due as prog metal pioneers in the press and online. Maybe album sales stagnated, but they have always seemed to at least maintain a high profile even without MP in the band.

Quote from: Kocak on April 26, 2025, 01:03:39 AMThe ability to grow your audience and attracting younger people (not just the children of existing fans, there's a clear difference here.) is paramount to sustained popularity and increased profitability.

What bands 30-40 years in are actually doing this?

Don't most, if not all bands rise until they hit their high water mark, and try to ride it out from that point on?
That's just the life cycle of bands, no? And DT is definitely in the "ride it out" area.

Quote from: Kocak on April 26, 2025, 01:03:39 AMDream Theater did a shit job at presenting Mike Mangini to their fanbase (Not for the lack of trying.) and they continued to do him injustice by making horrible production choices.

I thought the Drummer Audition series was a great idea and I completely disagree about them fucking up the presentation of MM to the fanbase. I thought it was the perfect introduction. I had no idea who he was going in, and by the got to the part where they offered him the job, I loved the guy.

As far as drum production, I do believe that it a blind spot for JP. But I don't know. Other than ADTOE, where I thought the drums were a bit buried/castrated, I never really had any issue with them.

Quote from: Kocak on April 26, 2025, 06:18:14 AMSocial media is about building a digital identity for an entity, that people can relate to. It's about creating a narrative. Not just advertising a new line of whatever and announcing a new album/tour. There are great creative agencies that do these things for artists.

This may sound argumentative, or skeptical, but it's not meant that way. I am legitimately asking....
Which artists? What is being done for them?

Quote from: Kocak on April 26, 2025, 06:18:14 AMWe are in the short form video era, well-made videos can introduce them to a new legion of fans. One of the key demographics that they are missing out on is aspiring young musicians, children and young adults and the members of Dream Theater have the talent to impress them all, but that kind of demographic is not going to be impressed by Parasomnia or the latest line of JP signature guitars. This is why MP's Taylor Swift video went viral. It is a perfect example of transitive marketing.

I agree completely.

Quote from: Kocak on April 26, 2025, 06:18:14 AMFor example, they could have done these things after announcing that MP is back in the band:

Do not enter the studio for a new album.
Announce a string of smaller scale shows that might have incorporated more jams, in a looser environment and just ease into it.
Announce a bigger 40th anniversary tour, celebrate the legacy of the band.
Write an album, go into the studio - record it.
Release the album.
Tour again.

Again, I agree. They made this big announcement and then...disappeared. I have always thought that was strange.

a few points that i'd like to add, wrt the comparison between dream theater and meshuggah:

1 - though the bulk of the band members of both are close in age (mid 50s), and the release dates of the debut full lengths are similar ('89 and '91), the bands 'made it' under very different circumstances. to the dream theater of images & words, grunge and alternative hadn't even reshaped rock radio fully yet - they were playing in a style soon to be 'on the way out', though i don't think they knew it. conversely, meshuggah never had an album or a hit like dream theater did, and slow burned their way to success - it looks to me like they don't even tour north america til '98!

2 - people have made the remark that dream theater is somewhat creatively stagnant, and is making stylistic choices based on recreating past successes and giving the fans what they want. frankly, i would say meshuggah's been doing the same, at least since the post-catch thirtythree era (with obzen being a very successful 'refocus' and codification of the classic meshuggah sound). which isn't to say that this music isn't enjoyable - it is!

"that still exists?" - 

Quote from: CraftyCaleb2483 on April 26, 2025, 07:43:18 AMWow, 9 whole posts 

AFAIK, he hates this place.

Here's hoping there's a new version in the works.

Quote from: Kocak on April 26, 2025, 06:18:14 AMI believe Mike Portnoy has an account.

Wow, 9 whole posts