Mike Portnoy...truly a fan in a band member's shoes.

[Samsara]

I was at lunch today with a friend and Mike Portnoy came up in the discussion. Normally, while I usually bring up the negative side of things (just my nature), I found myself really giving MP props for all the great things he does for fans.

I mean seriously, what "famous rock star" makes sure that every single set list in a city has different stuff in it each time the band comes back? On top of that, he also makes sure the band learns tons of songs for the tour, so that those that follow the band around get a bunch of different stuff.

On top of that, I've never seen a band of Dream Theater's size (meaning at its level of popularity), maintain such an exhaustive selection of official bootlegs and making sure that eventually, what fans want, they get.

In addition, and most importantly, the dude CARES. Seriously. You ask anyone who has seen MP react to things both positive and negative, and you can tell he genuinely wants to be viewed positively as someone who goes the extra mile to deliver.

I really respect that. Sure, MP has his moments where he flies off the handle perhaps, and of course, the control freak tendencies. I'm guilty of that myself. But the good side of that is he obsesses to make sure he remembers what it is like to be a hardcore fan, and deliver to all of us what he would want if in our shoes.

Not many people go that extra mile. This fan appreciates it a great deal.

Cheers to MP.

[ZBomber]

*appreciates MP*

I met him last summer, and even though it was in a store and I was just one of many in line, he talked to you and didnt just push you aside so he could get out of there as fast as he could. Great guy, probably the best in the business.

[73109]

I was at lunch today with a friend and Mike Portnoy(...)

I was about to call you a dick...but then I realized!

[ddtonfire]

MP is hands down the coolest guy in the business.

[Phantasmatron]

I was at lunch today with a friend and Mike Portnoy(...)

I was about to call you a dick...but then I realized!

This, and, MP is awesome. 

[Adami]

MP is hands down the coolest guy in the business.

Eh. But he seems like an OK guy.

[ddtonfire]

MP is hands down the coolest guy in the business.

Eh. But he seems like an OK guy.

I've spoken with him a few times, so I say that with confidence.

[GuineaPig]

Excellent post.  As much as I sometimes dislike his persona, or how I feel he's been influencing the band in recent years, he seems to be genuinely dedicated to providing his fans with an unprecedented amount of catering and interaction.

[yeshaberto]

thanks so much for the post samsara, absolutely agree and couldn't say it better myself 

[sonatafanica]

Mike is definitely a cool dude.

[Nick]

I agree with most of your points and I award you 10 points for pointing them out.

[axeman90210]

[ZBomber]

I agree with most of your points and I award you 10 points for pointing them out.

Point.

[CountVoorhees]

I don't know how weird this is and I really don't care but I want to give him a hug.

[Quadrochosis]

I met MP at the Opeth show in NYC a few weeks ago and he is indeed one humble, awesome guy.

He does so much for us fans, it really makes me wonder how any of the nubs over at MP.com can be such jerks to him.

[Phantasmatron]

I agree with most of your points and I award you 10 points for pointing them out.

This post is pointed, well-written, and directly on point.

[Jamesman42]

What's the point of pointing to the point on the graph?




By the way, enough is a weird word to me today.




Great post, Samsara!




Good night!!!!!!!!!!DTF!!!!

[OsMosis2259]

It MPs birthday today too also his 10th year since he has been sober. 

Happy birthday!

[TAC]

Sam, your OP is right on. It's clear that MP was a fan first and foremost, and has NEVER forgotten that. It's one of the main reasons why DT is m favorite band.

The Official Boots thing is great as is his drumming DVD's. Imagine being a kid in 1981 watching Peart record Moving Pics. MP gives you that great experience.

[emindead]

Thank you for everything, MP!

Except "Never Enough" and your AA Suite, except "The Glass Prison" and the first minutes of "Repentace"

[hefdaddy42]

I agree with most of your points and I award you 10 points for putting out.

What?

[Mebert78]

Mmm, I've been trying to hold back from posting in this thread, because I don't have the time to engage in debate today, lol.  While I agree that MP's "hands-on-ness" and personal touch has its good aspects like the bootlegs and setlists, it also has its bad aspects IMO that balance out the scale for me.  So I can't praise him for it.  That's all I'll say for now, since I don't have time to follow up today, lol.

[Samsara]

Mmm, I've been trying to hold back from posting in this thread, because I don't have the time to engage in debate today, lol.  While I agree that MP's "hands-on-ness" and personal touch has its good aspects like the bootlegs and setlists, it also has its bad aspects IMO that balance out the scale for me.  So I can't praise him for it.  That's all I'll say for now, since I don't have time to follow up today, lol.

Anyone who has read my posts on here knows there are a couple things about MP and what he does that I believe are detrimental to Dream Theater. I've made that very clear on DTF in the past. lol. But this thread was intended to put aside those for now, and instead highlight the good things MP does and how he's never really let the "rock star" persona take over the "fan" he is of the music, and what he strives to provide for everyone based on being a fan.

[Mebert78]

Mmm, I've been trying to hold back from posting in this thread, because I don't have the time to engage in debate today, lol.  While I agree that MP's "hands-on-ness" and personal touch has its good aspects like the bootlegs and setlists, it also has its bad aspects IMO that balance out the scale for me.  So I can't praise him for it.  That's all I'll say for now, since I don't have time to follow up today, lol.

Anyone who has read my posts on here knows there are a couple things about MP and what he does that I believe are detrimental to Dream Theater. I've made that very clear on DTF in the past. lol. But this thread was intended to put aside those for now, and instead highlight the good things MP does and how he's never really let the "rock star" persona take over the "fan" he is of the music, and what he strives to provide for everyone based on being a fan.

Gotcha.  Yes, then I deff agree he does go out of his way to accommodate fans in a way that other artists do not.  It's refreshing and impressive actually.  I can admit that without a doubt.  

Personally, the only bootleg I own is When Dream and Day Reunite.  I think it's a great look at the band's early days and you gotta give MP credit.  Stuff like that sets DT apart from other bands.

[glaurung]

There can be no denying that MP takes care of his fans. I really appreciate it.  

I met MP at the Opeth show in NYC a few weeks ago and he is indeed one humble, awesome guy.

He does so much for us fans, it really makes me wonder how any of the nubs over at MP.com can be such jerks to him.

DTF is much harder on him than MP.com from what I've seen.

[moffatt]

Indeed, he really is good to his fans. He is on my top list of people who i would love to meet.

[LudwigVan]

Great post Samsara.  I was about to say something more, but realized you pretty much had it all covererd   

[Birch Boy]

Happy birthday Mike and thank you! 
 

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

He's probably the busiest musician alive. Hail MP.

[Darkes7]

Excellent post. I've always thought that way and I still think he deserves much more respect than he gets.

[contest_sanity]

Isn't it interesting that one of the nicest and most fan-oriented guys in the biz ended up writing a song like "Never Enough?"  What does that say about the fan base (in general, not necessarily DTF)? 

[nightmare_cinema]

MP seems awesome. He absolutely RADIATES passion and enthusiasm on stage and that's something special coming from someone behind a kit. Hands down one of my favourite all-time musicians, I think a lot of stuff gets done thanks to MP.

[bosk1]

Isn't it interesting that one of the nicest and most fan-oriented guys in the biz ended up writing a song like "Never Enough?"  What does that say about the fan base (in general, not necessarily DTF)? 

Well, since it's not really about the fan base (at least, not the fan base as a whole), not much, actually.

[Dublagent66]

Yeah, MP is great.  He's an extremely diverse music fan himself and works very hard to give back to his own fan base.  I wish he would've been a little more accessible at the LTE Downey show like JP and JR were, but I don't want to make it seem like a complaint because it was such an awesome show.  He was just way too busy doing stuff as usual.  Happy belated birthday Mike.

[contest_sanity]

Isn't it interesting that one of the nicest and most fan-oriented guys in the biz ended up writing a song like "Never Enough?"  What does that say about the fan base (in general, not necessarily DTF)? 

Well, since it's not really about the fan base (at least, not the fan base as a whole), not much, actually.

Yeah, I guess the song was probably more about specific incidents, rather than a general comment, although I guess it was general enough to be released on an album, where it could possibly be misconstrued.  I was really more interested, anyway, in pointing out the irony of someone so dedicated to the fans ending up writing a song like that; I just didn't phrase it well.