James Labrie talks about JP working with Mike again
“When some of us do our solo records, it's a separate matter from the band. Whoever John Petrucci wants to work with is up to him, just as whoever I work with on my solo album is up to me. John knows the kind of relationship that Mike and I have, he's aware of it, but at the same time it's up to him to choose who he wants to play with on his album. Everything is fine. Life is too short to anchor anything that can be considered negative "
“Let's put it this way: John and I talk, and I think it's great, that as long as he's happy with the result of his album and that it has met his expectations, that's all that matters. John Petrucci and I have been bandmates for thirty years, so we talk about who we are and we respect each other. At the end of the day, he knows he has my respect and I know I have his. I have to be very open about what he wants to do and decide what is best for him.
That was translated from here https://nacionprogresiva.wordpress.com/2021/01/13/james-labrie-john-sabe-el-tipo-de-relacion-que-tenemos-mike-y-yo-es-consciente-de-ello/
That's kind of a fucked up answer though. It seems very carefully worded, rather than organic. Never once does he say that he and John are "friends", only that they are "bandmates", they "talk" and have each others "respect". Not that they have to be close, but that's not a ringing bell of deep love and affection, if you're asking me.
Damned if you do and damned if you don't, right.
All he is saying, is they talk about things. Things that they do not agree with at all, and things that they do agree with 100%. People change, and after being in a band for 30 years, its good they are still bandmates. There are not many bandmates whom can say that. He is open to what JP wants to do, and should let him do what JP wants to do, the same as JP lets JLB do what he wants to do, especially on ones own solo album.
JP likely let JLB know he was working with MP again, because as sad as it is, to let JLB be prepared for the fan reactions and all the MP is returning speculation bullshit that goes on, and I am sure the band is tired of hearing this shit. I mean, no offence to the interviewers, but why would you even ask a question like that, and by JLB's response it seems it irked him a bit.
Also, a reason why that was all that was given to us about the Magazine Interview. I would like to see the rest, but there is only that one snippet I can find.
If an interviewer were to ask about his and JP's friendships, or how his relationship is to the other band-members, are they best of friends that skip along a field of flowers holding hands, or are they just acquaintances whom are there to make the songs, record, and just tolerate enough of each other to make the album.