Mike Portnoy's "Prog Metal" supergroup: Sons of Apollo

[Herrick]

I get why Derek is proclaiming SOA will "generate 10 times the heat" of any other band they're in, but it won't. There's a tiny market for this kind of thing, and it's largely already been cornered by Dream Theater, and to a lesser extent, the younger groups like Threshold and Haken.

I never heard of Threshold before but looks like they've been around for almost 30 years.

[Cool Chris]

It's like 2 weeks ago when Conor McGregor was trying to sell his fight by saying he was going to knock out Floyd in 3 rounds, and boxing would have a new king. Everyone just kind of nodded along and said "Yeah, that's not gonna happen, but whatever".

People may have said "yeah, whatever" to Conor's prediction, but they still plunked down $100 to see the bout.

[Zook]

Considering Jordan could play his house keys better than Derek can play an actual keyboard, if I was Derek I'd shut my mouth.

Don't give him any ideas.

[ReaperKK]

...but I'm putting my money on Derek having a decent size laugh at some people's (thin skinned) expense here. 

Observing the sniping and calling it out as silly is not "thin-skinned."  Thin-skinned is "easily insulted and unable to deal with anything that might be seen as criticism."  That doesn't apply here.  But thanks for trying to throw gas on the fire.  Knock off the insults.

Amen. Thin-skinned... some of us just find it unnecessary. I'm simply annoyed that he feels the need to do this in order to promote his new album. If it keeps up I'm not even going to buy the damn thing because it's silly and annoying and I quite like what DT is doing and what Jordan does with his gear. You don't see Jordan taking jabs at Derek. If that's how Derek gets his laughs, he sounds immature.

You know, I'm about to that point as well.

Also, he sometimes noodles so damn much I find it annoying.  I remember hearing a bootleg of him playing Space Dye Vest with James at a one off New York show (just the two of them).  He added all these fiddley things to the main melody which kind of ruined it. 

I really used to hate that about Joradan; I'd check out his solo work and it'd contain these beautiful bits of music and then he'd try to fit as many notes as possible into a 5 minute song. I realized that's just the kind of player he is, it's not entirely my taste.

[Madman Shepherd]

Considering Jordan could play his house keys better than Derek can play an actual keyboard, if I was Derek I'd shut my mouth.

Don't give him any ideas.

 

Now for the next three albums he'll work in keychain solos into everything. 

Or a house keys app. 

[?]

If Mr. Nicky Lemons would like to promote his album, why not share a clip of one of his solos from the record? Or present a video of him jamming? Or talking with another band member about the album? Promotion via trying to bring down someone or something else is a sign that maybe your material isn't as strong as you say it is. The more he hypes it the less I believe it's as awe-inspiring as he makes it out to be.

I have to be honest, with all this forced hooplah, I can't help but expect a decisive ... "meh" from the album. I don't know, it's like with big dogs who don't need to bark because they know they're top. The more bark, the less I expect.

These.

[Polarbear]

Considering Jordan could play his house keys better than Derek can play an actual keyboard, if I was Derek I'd shut my mouth.

I would disagree, but that's just me...

I don't have problems, with Mike and Derek trying to create competition between DT and SoA. It was inevitably going to happen anyway. I'm going to just stay out of it!

Only thing i care about is, that i really enjoy what i have heard so far and can't wait to hear the whole album.

[Zook]

Some natural competition would have been better. You know, SOA release an awesome debut that casts a shadow over Dream Theater. Not this school yard bullshit.

[PetFish]

Some natural competition would have been better. You know, SOA release an awesome debut that casts a shadow over Dream Theater. Not this school yard bullshit.

*boom*

All we have right now is a loud-mouthed bully shouting louder and louder trying to gain as much attention as they can while the successful nerd just ignores it and tries to move on but the bully just keeps getting more and more mad about it.

[Adami]

Some natural competition would have been better. You know, SOA release an awesome debut that casts a shadow over Dream Theater. Not this school yard bullshit.

*boom*

All we have right now is a loud-mouthed bully shouting louder and louder trying to gain as much attention as they can while the successful nerd just ignores it and tries to move on but the bully just keeps getting more and more mad about it.

Who's getting mad? No one in SOA seem to care whatsoever about DT being quiet.

[MinistroRaven]

From the Jeff Scott Soto FB account:

By the kindness and graciousness of Frontiers Records, I am able to share this moment with you…today is my brother Joey’s birthday and it won’t be one he’ll celebrate or remember.

As some of you may have read on my social media, Joey suffered a few heart attacks in January this year and has been left in a state where he is only alive with the assistance of machines and medical science.

When it 1st happened, the family and I were so distraught yet I needed an outlet to express how much I will miss him so I reached out to my dear friend Paulo Mendonca and asked if he could muster up the soundtrack of a song that I could drop these emotions into. Paulo knew exactly what to do and supplied me with this piece of music that I put my words to…and I called it ‘Song For Joey’.

I had other titles in mind but I always loved the Toto song ’Song For Jeff’ that they did for J Porcaro, since I shared the same name, I used the entendre of making sure the world knew who and what this song was about.

It was not intended for release, only for myself and my family to share but it dawned on me I needed to share this song with the rest of the world.

So on this day, Sept 4, a song not intended to use as a Single or promo for Retribution, I am sharing as a tribute and gift for my brother’s birthday, ‘Song For Joey’, Happy Birthday bro, I miss you!

https://youtu.be/1c8V7PeDNRQ

[Stadler]

Some natural competition would have been better. You know, SOA release an awesome debut that casts a shadow over Dream Theater. Not this school yard bullshit.

*boom*

All we have right now is a loud-mouthed bully shouting louder and louder trying to gain as much attention as they can while the successful nerd just ignores it and tries to move on but the bully just keeps getting more and more mad about it.

Haha, that's a fantastical interpretation of the situation.    If one is going to use high school tropes to characterize this, it's far more likely that the class clown is sitting in the back throwing wise cracks and the nerd in the front is sitting quietly trying not to draw attention to himself. 

"Bully" is an awful strong - and, given Derek's sense of humor, woefully prejudicial - term to use. 

[SystematicThought]

I'm just trying to figure out this tweet from Derek. Which band is he talking about?

No asshole puckering high vocal shreiks in SONS OF APOLLO!! We promise!@SonsOfApollo1 @MikePortnoy @bumblefoot @jeffscottsoto @BillyonBass

LaBrie doesn't really shriek anymore. Breathy vocals on the other hand...

[Adami]

I'm just trying to figure out this tweet from Derek. Which band is he talking about?

No asshole puckering high vocal shreiks in SONS OF APOLLO!! We promise!@SonsOfApollo1 @MikePortnoy @bumblefoot @jeffscottsoto @BillyonBass

LaBrie doesn't really shriek anymore. Breathy vocals on the other hand...

Maybe he's just talking about common prog stereotypes?

[Madman Shepherd]

I'm just trying to figure out this tweet from Derek. Which band is he talking about?

No asshole puckering high vocal shreiks in SONS OF APOLLO!! We promise!@SonsOfApollo1 @MikePortnoy @bumblefoot @jeffscottsoto @BillyonBass

LaBrie doesn't really shriek anymore. Breathy vocals on the other hand...

Maybe he's just talking about common prog stereotypes?

All of his commenters sure felt like he was talking about DT.

[Adami]

I'm just trying to figure out this tweet from Derek. Which band is he talking about?

No asshole puckering high vocal shreiks in SONS OF APOLLO!! We promise!@SonsOfApollo1 @MikePortnoy @bumblefoot @jeffscottsoto @BillyonBass

LaBrie doesn't really shriek anymore. Breathy vocals on the other hand...

Maybe he's just talking about common prog stereotypes?

All of his commenters sure felt like he was talking about DT.

Sucks for them.

[Mosh]

Yea that one is pretty obviously not related to DT.

[Adami]

I actually think Derek should that style of tweeting and take it to a comedic extreme.

Like next tweet being "You won't find any MINDLESS SHREDDING in SOA!!!!!"

Followed by "SOA IS NOT ABOUT ANY OF THAT DOUBLE BASS DRUMMING"

And eventually ending it with "We promise you SOA won't be like all those other cheesy lame bands and play any actual notes"

[Zook]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

[Adami]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. I doubt Derek would ever dare insulted Devin Townsend.

2. Can you prove that James doesn't wank it on tour? I bet he does

3. I have seen no conclusive proof that Mangini is not a robot.

[TAC]

I honestly think Derek's just having a bit of silly fun, rather than meaning anything hostile by it. Bit of a shame people aren't taking it that way.

Either that or he graduated from Portnoy's School of Passive Aggressive Social Media Posts.

He's just stirring it up, and knowing exactly what he's doing. I think it's poor.

[Madman Shepherd]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

Of course this would be after seeing a legitimate and constructive criticism of Portnoy and responding, "He just can't win!  He could literally grow extra limbs for legless kittens and you would criticize him for not doing anything for legless grasshoppers!!!  Leave Britney alone!!!"



Anyway....LOL about the sensitive thing. 

[Zook]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. I doubt Derek would ever dare insulted Devin Townsend.

2. Can you prove that James doesn't wank it on tour? I bet he does

3. I have seen no conclusive proof that Mangini is not a robot.

Adami, change your password. Stadler hacked your account.

[Adami]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. I doubt Derek would ever dare insulted Devin Townsend.

2. Can you prove that James doesn't wank it on tour? I bet he does

3. I have seen no conclusive proof that Mangini is not a robot.

Adami, change your password. Stadler hacked your account.

Have you ever considered that maybe..........................I am Stadler?

When's the last time you saw Stadler and me in the same bed?

[King Postwhore]

Only in political cartoons Adami.

[Zook]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. I doubt Derek would ever dare insulted Devin Townsend.

2. Can you prove that James doesn't wank it on tour? I bet he does

3. I have seen no conclusive proof that Mangini is not a robot.

Adami, change your password. Stadler hacked your account.

Have you ever considered that maybe..........................I am Stadler?

When's the last time you saw Stadler and me in the same bed?

Last night.

[antigoon]

honestly this twitter stuff has a really high chance of being more entertaining than the actual album so keep it coming, Derek.

[PetFish]

Haha, that's a fantastical interpretation of the situation.    If one is going to use high school tropes to characterize this, it's far more likely that the class clown is sitting in the back throwing wise cracks and the nerd in the front is sitting quietly trying not to draw attention to himself. 

"Bully" is an awful strong - and, given Derek's sense of humor, woefully prejudicial - term to use.

That's a lot better, actually, nice.

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

*boom*

[Madman Shepherd]

 

honestly this twitter stuff has a really high chance of being more entertaining than the actual album so keep it coming, Derek.

Burrrrrrrrrnnnnnnn.....

[ariich]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. Where did Derek say anything remotely like that?

2. Why the need to launch an attack on Stadler? Knock it off.

[Madman Shepherd]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. Where did Derek say anything remotely like that?

His Twitter.

[ariich]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. Where did Derek say anything remotely like that?

His Twitter.

I can see nothing like that on his Twitter.

[Zook]

I was exaggerating. I thought that would have been obvious.

[Madman Shepherd]

Derek: "DT sucks! LaBrie is a wanker. Mangini is a robot."

Stadler: " lol Derek is just being silly. You guys are too sensitive."

1. Where did Derek say anything remotely like that?

His Twitter.

I can see nothing like that on his Twitter.

Um, look again?

[RoeDent]

This whole thing just proves how toxic Portnoy's little corner of the music world is, and has been since he left Dream Theater.

At least we can go back to these tweets when they do eventually make their concept album about fictitious characters. Every prog band has at least one of those in them.