The Mike Portnoy Appreciation/Discussion Thread (merged)

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Ha well in all honesty Mike has always been an attention whore

Well yeah, there's no denying that. But still, he's barely posted anything in weeks that wasn't excited, grateful or optimistic sounding, and he makes one post about feeling sad and everyone jumps on him for it. It's like people have nothing better to do than bitch about him.

Absolutely. Like I said, he has been so much better about it the past while. And I understand it's human nature to want to put your feeling out there.

But I think the best thing for him right now is to be 100% quiet on the internet. And I think he knows it too. But he just can't help seeking that attention.

[skydivingninja]

As I said earlier, its fine if he wants to post that he's sad and its been a tumultuous year.  I can understand that.  Its the little "the only people you can really trust" passive-aggressive thing that gets on my nerves.  He has been good about keeping the angst off the Internet for a bit (though it seems like just yesterday that he was banning discussion of the JLB tour from his site), and I guess its just that disappointed feeling after a relapse or something.  I dunno.

[Kotowboy]

 

Hope Mike doesn't resort to the grog. . .

[EPICVIEW]

as always I wish Mike happiness.. he's a good guy.

[LCArenas]

Personally I always felt that he was sort of one too.  Just one of his faults.  He's a very spirited and emotional man, and that can some times lead to be the reason that he attracts and generates negative attention like this, but that is also the reason we still love him so much. 

I do think he is acting very childish here though.  His temper is obviously still flaring (for a reason, I'm sure) and he should stay off the internet until it has simmered down.

Every single word of this.

[Perpetual Change]

That guy who wrote an open letter to Mike finally got banned. The thing that's interesting about it is Wey posted something about Mike's stress and how we have "no idea" until he tells us, but he also said it's not about sobriety or any family issues.

I really hope things haven't hit rock bottom with DT or A7X.

[antigoon]

Wasn't that open letter posted over a month ago?

[Perpetual Change]

Yeah, but the guy has basically made it a point to try and bait Mike's attention (again) pretty much every chance since Mike responded the final time.

[Sigz]

What letter/guy?

[Ben_Jamin]

The announcement, he's deleting all his social connection accounts. That's what he really needs to do to keep his stress from affecting his health. All he did was post that he was sad, and felt like saying thanks to his family since it really is true all you can count on is family.

He went through a lot. His Dad recently passed away and its probably hitting him now that he has no parents, no mom or dad to put your shoulder on, and while he went back home to the real life had time to think about things, it hit him hard. The tour with Maiden most likely didn't help at all, thats why he felt like taking a break you know, to ease his mind, he didn't feel like dealing with he does for DT for a bit, the others guys didn't want to, he said I need this for me, and said he was gonna leave for a while. He didn't quit he had no choice but to leave. Thats his compromise. His touring with Avenged wasn't bad per-se as he just drummed. He most likely had a great amazing time and now its gonna be over.

Thats all what it seems like to me, he's just stressed from all the work he's put out. For us the fans, and I appreciate all he does. No other band can you find official bootlegs. I wish him the best and glad he has something to do in the meantime to help him, Drumming for projects.

[SPNKr]

No other band can you find official bootlegs.

Metallica.

[Perpetual Change]

No other band can you find official bootlegs.

Metallica.

Pearl Jam also have more than a few.

[PixelDream]

I personally hope he'll come back into DT at some point. Since a few years I'm not that 'DT fanatic' anymore, but I still like to listen to their records from time to time. If they visit Holland, I'm always going. I like SC and BSCL, but not nearly as much as anything pre-ToT. The band has grown into an 'old band' for me, in a way. I'll always love them the most for their old work.

And with that, I care for them with MP on drums. Don't like the recent output incredibly much, so IF there's a DT I'm diggin', it better be with MP. I really like his stage presence and everything, and he's just a great rock/metal drummer.

Even if the new DT album is very good, it's just not DT in my eyes. The ONLY good thing that will come from it are the absence of things like 'EVERYONE SURVIVED.. WHAAAARGH' and 'INVENTORY!'. Though that's fun, in a way, too. I really like modern DT, but it feels a bit 'lighter' for me, less meaningful in the darker, heavy songs. Whereas with 'The Mirror' or any early heavy DT song, I really feel the emotion. But circus-y DT is fine, too. Just WITH MP please.

[Nihil-Morari]

No other band can you find official bootlegs.

Metallica.

Pearl Jam also have more than a few.

The Flower Kings

[SPNKr]

No other band can you find official bootlegs.

Metallica.

Pearl Jam also have more than a few.

The Flower Kings

The list goes on...

[Fuzzboy]

No other band can you find official bootlegs.

Metallica.

Pearl Jam also have more than a few.

The Flower Kings

The list goes on...

[Arch Benemy]

I posted this in the Sevenfold thread too, but it could be MP related. From A7Xs Facebook page.

Avenged Sevenfold regretfully announce they will not be performing at the upcoming Soundwave in Australia. After much effort, the band decided that they could not offer fans the live experience they have come to expect and didn’t want to disappoint them. Avenged Sevenfold will return to Australia soon to headline their own tour. 

I think that bolded part insinuates that MP may be out

[Gorille85]

It's weird...why now? why not after that austraalian show?

[zerogravityfat]

It's weird...why now? why not after that austraalian show?

he's wasted in a ditch somewhere, that's why.

[MykeHavoc]

Those dates are later in the year. They still have a big US run next month, so I don't see Mike departing being the reason they'd pull out of an Australian date many months down the line. They stated they will do there own run. Obviously there's more money to be made on a solo run as apposed to being part of a festival.

[Gorille85]

I think Mike Portnoy never really existed.

[ClairvoyantCat]

Well, that explains...       


 

[Plasmastrike]

FROM MP'S FACEBOOK

Yes, the rumours are true...sadly my time with Avenged Sevenfold has come to an end...

The band has decided to carry on into 2011 without me...I had a great time with them throughout 2010, but it was their choice to end the relationship at the end of 2010 as was always the initial plan....
 
I had an awesome time on stage with the guys every night and have so many cool memories from the experience with them...I am proud to always be part of the A7X family and history.
 
I also adore the A7X fans and totally appreciate the way they welcomed me aboard and were so loving and supportive during my time with the band...thank you!
 
As far as my future, I am excited by the endless musical possibilities that lie ahead of me...my love for music runs very deep and my taste is very broad and ecclectic which will give me the chance to explore many different things and collaborate with many great friends and artists I admire and respect...
 
Happy Holidaze to you all and c-ya in the New Year,
MP

[Ben_Jamin]

You know I bet they didn't want DT fans to associate them with him leaving anymore.

Internet is deadly stay away.

[antigoon]

Interesting.

[ariich]

Sounds like he doesn't intend to join any one band as a full-time gig but to take part in lots of different projects, which could be a really good thing!

[The Letter M]

Sounds like he doesn't intend to join any one band as a full-time gig but to take part in lots of different projects, which could be a really good thing!

Well he's already got at LEAST two on his plate...

-Marc.

[Ben_Jamin]

Here's to great music to be heard from MP

[skydivingninja]

A7X shouldn't give a shit about DT fans, especially the DT fans who blame A7X for him leaving, because they're the ones who are all "there's no way MP can like this shit!"

Sucks to hear about MP & A7X now, but oh well.  Now we can look forward to Morse/Morse/LaRue/Portnoy!

[Heretic]

Thanks for all you did with A7X, Mike! You really kept the guys from going down under and it's sad to hear that your time has come to an end with them. I'm sure you'll all get together sometime again in the future!

Looking forward to the future, I'm sure great music is soon to be heard!

[ddtonfire]

Because he has such great connections, he should release a solo album with some awesome guest appearances.

[ClairvoyantCat]

Because he has such great connections, he should release a solo album with some awesome guest appearances.

Yeah.  Guest vocalists, in particular. 

[The Letter M]

Because he has such great connections, he should release a solo album with some awesome guest appearances.

Yeah.  Guest vocalists, in particular. 

I'd be all for that but Mike doesn't WRITE music...he takes it and arranges it, like with DT/LTE/TA. I think he'd have to work with someone who writes a lot of music so as to set aside some of it for a project devoted to MP (someone like Neal Morse or even Roine Stolt, both very prolific writers). Fortunately, he's already doing two projects with Neal, so he'll probably be pretty busy with those in the coming weeks/months.

As for anything else, he'd probably love to do another cover-band project with Paul Gilbert, or even reunite one of his prior ones (Yellow Matter Custard anyone? There's SOOO many Beatles songs he could play that DIDN'T make it to the first tour/show).

-Marc.

[ClairvoyantCat]

Well the writer and the vocalist don't have to be the same person.  He could involve himself with a really talented vocalist, either one well known among the community or one with less exposure, and then enlist as many guitarist/keyboards/songwriters as he needs.  As someone said earlier, he has the connections. Nonetheless, I think there is still a big part of Portnoy that wants to be a band leader.  I would have been surprised if Avenged Sevenfold had worked out, because Portnoy is such an alpha dog.  Maybe he'll form his own full time band instead, I'm sure he would have plenty of talent waiting to sign up!

[emindead]

Finally.