Place your bets again - DT's next top model.

[Nekov]

I think that one of the guys should upload a sound clip of the new drummer playing something and just say, "Hey, here is the new guy. Take a guess" Just to tease everyone.

[JasonScandopolous]

I think that one of the guys should upload a sound clip of the new drummer playing something and just say, "Hey, here is the new guy. Take a guess" Just to tease everyone.

Yeah, take a 30 second clip of the band jamming or something (without showing the drummer)... then we on the forums could analyze the clip for weeks, comparing what the drummer played to the entire bodies of work of all possible drumming candidates... "Hey that fill sounds like this fill at 5:44 that Lang played at a show in 1998 (youtube link)"  etc... a playground for the obsessed and OCD would be born, and hours more of pointless debate could be created.

[Orion1967]

I'll let the cat outta the bag....   the new drummer is:

Errr......



Already did that joke too.

rumborak

Missed that one... my bad.

[TAC]

I think that one of the guys should upload a sound clip of the new drummer playing something and just say, "Hey, here is the new guy. Take a guess" Just to tease everyone.

Yeah, take a 30 second clip of the band jamming or something (without showing the drummer)... then we on the forums could analyze the clip for weeks, comparing what the drummer played to the entire bodies of work of all possible drumming candidates... "Hey that fill sounds like this fill at 5:44 that Lang played at a show in 1998 (youtube link)"  etc... a playground for the obsessed and OCD would be born, and hours more of pointless debate could be created.

Sounds like a cool idea!

[unklejman]

So I had a dream last night where Rudess told me that it was not Marco Minnemann. Welp I guess we can rule him out.

I guess all fingers point to Weckl now.

[kennedymichael]

how ironic, AVENGED SEVENFOLD has named their new drummer.

https://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152546

[bosk1]

Ironic perhaps, but not unexpected since A7X has none of the legal issues to work through that DT has. 

What strikes me as more ironic is the fact that their new guy was formerly in a "Christian" band.  Yeah, that'll be a good match.

[Voyage 34]

What strikes me as more ironic is the fact that their new guy was formerly in a "Christian" band.  Yeah, that'll be a good match.

God Hates Us isn't the most Christian song I suppose...

[Nekov]

I think that one of the guys should upload a sound clip of the new drummer playing something and just say, "Hey, here is the new guy. Take a guess" Just to tease everyone.

Yeah, take a 30 second clip of the band jamming or something (without showing the drummer)... then we on the forums could analyze the clip for weeks, comparing what the drummer played to the entire bodies of work of all possible drumming candidates... "Hey that fill sounds like this fill at 5:44 that Lang played at a show in 1998 (youtube link)"  etc... a playground for the obsessed and OCD would be born, and hours more of pointless debate could be created.

At least there would be something real to debate. Imagine what can be done with some proof if we got 70 pages with only speculation. I would just love to see DTF going crazy on that. 

[Bombardana]

I bet it will end up being no one any of us has ever heard of...

[Lowdz]

Something tells me MP isn't going to like the "Portnoy was dismissed in December" line.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

Ironic perhaps, but not unexpected since A7X has none of the legal issues to work through that DT has. 

What strikes me as more ironic is the fact that their new guy was formerly in a "Christian" band.  Yeah, that'll be a good match.

What legal issues? I don't think that was ever clearly explained

[rumborak]

Well, the "legal issues" has morphed itself into the highest-ranking explanation for the lacking announcement. I don't think there's particularly much evidence that it is the main reason, and I am personally not convinced that it is.

rumborak

[PlaysLikeMyung]

So what it is? I really don't understand what the delay is. JP should just tell us what's going on. It would give most of us peace of mind, I think

[John94]

What is the likelihood of an announcement on Sunday during the show? As the encore.

Sounds nice and pleasant.

[bosk1]

Ironic perhaps, but not unexpected since A7X has none of the legal issues to work through that DT has.  

What strikes me as more ironic is the fact that their new guy was formerly in a "Christian" band.  Yeah, that'll be a good match.

What legal issues? I don't think that was ever clearly explained

No, there hasn't been a detailed official explanation.  But myself and several others who have posted in the thread who have explained things based on either (1) working knowledge of the music industry or (2) working knowledge of the legal profession (or both).  The band is a legal entity (likely a corporation).  The bandmembers are owners of all kinds of different legal rights and are managers of that entity.  Transitioning one member/owner out sounds like a simle process, but it isn't.  It is time-consuming and is very involved.  Likely, there is a lot of negotiating over all of these various rights, and the band is likely following the likely advice they are getting from the label and their legal advisors that they should not say anything yet because doing so could undermine parts of the negotiations and the finalizing of all the legal steps that need to occur.  It doesn't necessarily mean things are headed toward a lawsuit.  But these things just take a long time.  And given my own everyday experience in the legal profession, the amount of time that has elapsed so far is typical and is nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever.  Others I have spoken to who again have either the legal or industry background agree.

[Samsara]

No, there hasn't been a detailed official explanation.  But myself and several others who have posted in the thread who have explained things based on either (1) working knowledge of the music industry or (2) working knowledge of the legal profession (or both).  The band is a legal entity (likely a corporation).  The bandmembers are owners of all kinds of different legal rights and are managers of that entity.  Transitioning one member/owner out sounds like a simle process, but it isn't.  It is time-consuming and is very involved.  Likely, there is a lot of negotiating over all of these various rights, and the band is likely following the likely advice they are getting from the label and their legal advisors that they should not say anything yet because doing so could undermine parts of the negotiations and the finalizing of all the legal steps that need to occur.  It doesn't necessarily mean things are headed toward a lawsuit.  But these things just take a long time.  And given my own everyday experience in the legal profession, the amount of time that has elapsed so far is typical and is nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever.  Others I have spoken to who again have either the legal or industry background agree.

bosk1 is absolutely correct. To be very honest, if they announce the drummer this month, that is incredibly fast, and means (to the contrary of what some folks think) that there weren't very many legal obstacles separating Mike Portnoy legally from the band and coming to an agreement on business aspects of things.

This stuff takes time.

Like bosk, I have law degree, and I also know people and have some experience in the music industry (not a ton, but enough to know how this all works). A guy can "join" a band overnight. But legally working it out and restructuring the business aspects can take months and months and months. Add to that fact that the holidays were here as well, and this has gone fast, all things considered.

Remember, when you're a band at DT's level, this isn't just a band starting out where folks all have other jobs and its a fun thing. This is a business. Every band is a business. The more successful you are, and the longer the band has been around, it means there is a ton more legalities and business affairs to take care of.

So for any of you that are looking into this whole thing and coming up with explanations why it has taken "so long," trust me (and bosk and everyone else who is saying this), all things considered, this is a relatively SHORT time to get everything in order. It doesn't mean there is a lawsuit pending or anything. This stuff just takes time and when you are dealing with the legal process, the music industry, and the fact that Dream Theater is the livelihood of all the people involved, the longer it can take.

So rest easy folks. It's likely all about just getting things agreed upon and signed between multiple parties (DT, Portnoy, the new guy, etc.) and signed-off on by those parties' representation.

[TAC]

All good points Sam and Bosk..

Besides, you'd have to think that the band is just as antsy to announce the news. I'm sure it's killing them to hold the secret. But I am totally amazed that there hasn't been a leak. That's incredible.

[Stoneyman]

Good points.

Plus, maybe the new drummer isnt legally part of DT yet.

[roccer]

What I don't get is why the assumed legal issuses have to be resolved before making an announcement.  I mean, I don't think they would be breaking any law if they let us know the name beforehand, right?   DT is not the only well-known band that is going through a member change but I never heard of such a situation before.

[Voyage 34]

It's not that they would be breaking the law, it's that they don't want to announce the new guy until after all of the details are hammered out so they don't have to turn around and say never mind if that falls through.

[emindead]

*LAWYERED!*

That sounds great and all but I think everyone wants to believe that we're just gonna know the name of the drummer once the album is done and in our hands, and read the credits by our selves (for those of us who know how to read -the others will just see the pictures).

[Samsara]

It's not that they would be breaking the law, it's that they don't want to announce the new guy until after all of the details are hammered out so they don't have to turn around and say never mind if that falls through.

This.

Plus, until "the ink is dry" on any and all business and legal arrangements, things are fluid. Things can always change. So better to take the time, make sure everything is done, and done correctly and all parties are satisfied, instead of rushing because fans want to know a name.

I get the fan angle, and trust me, I'm as eager to know as most Dream Theater fans.

But the reality is, this stuff takes time.

One thing is for certain, the band is making music and is in the studio. So if you really need to know *right now* hop in the car (or for non-NYers, jump on a plane) and hang out around the studio. You'll see whoever it is and you can report back.

It is AMAZING this has not been leaked yet. SOMEONE must have seen this dude. lol. C'mon DTF, go on a stakeout and get the answer.

[rumborak]

bosk, Samsara,

that's all true, but not all information is equal in this regard. And especially the information about who is the drummer seems fairly independent from the MP's exit negotiations. I could see how MP's negotiations are long and arduous, but the signing of a replacement drummer is a very different thing.

It is AMAZING this has not been leaked yet. SOMEONE must have seen this dude.

Unless there is none.

rumborak

[bosk1]

I see your point, rumby, but there's also just the emotional/psychological component of the negotiation process.  The DT camp probably wants to stay as low-key as possible for as long as possible so that something isn't publicly said or done that changes the negotiation dynamic on the other side.  I'm grossly oversimplifying things here, but let's say they have to negotiate points A, B, C, D, and E to finalize everything with Mike.  B ends up being a really difficult issue that takes a long-time to hammer out, but after some time has passed, both sides calm way down concede enough to reach a tentative agreement on B.  Then they move on to C.  Then D.  Then before they get that last issue wrapped up, they announce the drummer, and some stuff is said that makes Mike mad.  Then he says some stuff that makes the DT camp mad.  Then the deal gets hung up.  Then somebody says, "yeah, well given what's going on, this changes everything, and I'm not happy about B anymore, so that's off."  And then you're just back to square one.  Again, that's a gross oversimplification, but that's the kind of thing that happens all the time.

[Knguro]

Ok hi all newbie here, vote 62 for TL! 

[bosk1]

Well, since your email address is tom@thomaslang.com, I guess that seals the deal.

[Samsara]

Well, since your email address is tom@thomaslang.com, I guess that seals the deal.

 

[Ben_Jamin]

I wonder if they're having fun waiting it out, because of how anxious the fans are. But as I said I hope its someone not listed here just to see how u all react.

[Samsara]

I wonder if they're having fun waiting it out, because of how anxious the fans are. But as I said I hope its someone not listed here just to see how u all react.

People keep skipping over the fact that bosk1 has been buying tons of drums and drum-related devices. He may be the chosen one!  Or not...

[Aquiles]

hi everyone.  i just wanted to say i am not the new drummer for dream theater.  I did not even heard of dream theater until someone ask me am i new drummer.  sorry to disappoint you all.  keep it metal.

AP

[Jamesman42]

Thanks.

[Knguro]

Well, since your email address is tom@thomaslang.com, I guess that seals the deal.

Waaahahah

[ddtonfire]

[emindead]

One thing is for certain, the band is making music and is in the studio.