new JP interview discussing MP's return and changes in band

[Stadler]

And based on only speculation I think he was genuinely conflicted about replacing him but likely didn't have any choice but to accept it.

Do you have anything - anything, a quote, a quip, anything - to justify that?  Honest question. I haven't heard a peep that even implies that.

[Evermind]

I assume because that's when they stopped advertising their shows in newspapers and started doing so online instead?

[Stadler]

While I agree, has anyone in the band said that besides Portnoy? Petrucci specifically said in this new inteview, "Mike understands that this is not the same band that he left."  That said, Petrucci's interviews often sound so vanilla and "by the book," almost like the band's PR firm is whispering in his ear what to say, while Portnoy is usually more off the cuff and talking like he is saying what he is actually thinking rather than being told what to say, so I would trust Portnoy's view on this more than Petrucci's, to be honest.  Petrucci can talk a good game about how proud he is of the work they did with Mangini, but if the tour starts and there is very little representation of that era in the sets, that will say a lot.

Unless I misunderstand you, even MIKE didn't say that.  He said that WORKING with the band was like picking up where they left off, but I just read an interview this weekend where Portnoy was clear there are 12+ years in there that he can't ignore and wouldn't expect the band to ignore.

All that demonstrates is that while Mike Portnoy has seemingly mellowed out, some of his hardcore fans are as annoying as ever.   

I went down a couple rabbit holes this weekend with the DT Facebook forums, and let's be crystal clear: some of the hardcore MP Warriors are annoying AF, but the Mangini Maniacs or whatever we want top call them are just as bad.  I've noticed throughout this period that there are a LOT of people that can't separate their own feelings from those of strangers that at best they've met for 48 seconds at a meet and greet.  I must've read 25 or 30 posts this weekend that seem to think that the only thing that matters is the ability to play <insert impossible drum figure in here>.  I even am starting to see mocking posts of "RLKK, RLKK, RLRL" or some shit like that, which I guess is basically making fun of Portnoy for GASP! REUSING A FUCKING DRUM FILL!  SOMEONE CALL THE MUSIC POLICE! 

Just listing to the back and forth, ad nauseum (note who is saying that, mind you!) and all I can think of is... "are you even a fan? If the band gives you that much agita and aggravation, why bother at that point?"  It's almost as bad as Kiss fans and the "cover band" nonsense (which is ironic, because it's kind of the same issue, in reverse).

[hefdaddy42]

I mean, I wrote on the Facebook fan page this weekend that no one hates Dream Theater as much as Dream Theater fans.

It's true.

It's always been this way, as far as I can remember.  Some fans hated Sherinian when KM left.  Some fans hated Rudess when Sherinian was fired.  Same as it ever was.

[Max Kuehnau]

Unless I misunderstand you, even MIKE didn't say that.  He said that WORKING with the band was like picking up where they left off, but I just read an interview this weekend where Portnoy was clear there are 12+ years in there that he can't ignore and wouldn't expect the band to ignore.

I went down a couple rabbit holes this weekend with the DT Facebook forums, and let's be crystal clear: some of the hardcore MP Warriors are annoying AF, but the Mangini Maniacs or whatever we want top call them are just as bad.  I've noticed throughout this period that there are a LOT of people that can't separate their own feelings from those of strangers that at best they've met for 48 seconds at a meet and greet.  I must've read 25 or 30 posts this weekend that seem to think that the only thing that matters is the ability to play <insert impossible drum figure in here>.  I even am starting to see mocking posts of "RLKK, RLKK, RLRL" or some shit like that, which I guess is basically making fun of Portnoy for GASP! REUSING A FUCKING DRUM FILL!  SOMEONE CALL THE MUSIC POLICE! 

Just listing to the back and forth, ad nauseum (note who is saying that, mind you!) and all I can think of is... "are you even a fan? If the band gives you that much agita and aggravation, why bother at that point?"  It's almost as bad as Kiss fans and the "cover band" nonsense (which is ironic, because it's kind of the same issue, in reverse).

yeah I mean, I'm a fan of MM and you now have evidence that I'm a bit of a character     (I see where you're coming from though)

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Do you have anything - anything, a quote, a quip, anything - to justify that?  Honest question. I haven't heard a peep that even implies that.

As I stated, which is included in your post, it's based purely on speculation.

If you're asking why I think this, it's because of two things primarily. James had the most extensive relationship with Mangini (3x solo albums) and had additional reasons to be happier with Mangini in the band. The second reason has to do with how bad things got with James and Mike P and how long that feud lasted. They did bury the hatchet but that's very different from wanting to re-enter a working relationship with someone. And that's also different from wanting to do it at the expense of someone else with whom you do not have this decades long overhang.

So is it possible James was so smitten to have made up with MP that his next thought was 'why don't we have you come in and replace Mangini now that we're cool again?' Sure but given how bad things were I don't think that's where he was.

But again, to make sure there isn't a possible doubt: no, there isn't anything I've heard outside that I will give real weight to.

[TAC]

I assume because that's when they stopped advertising their shows in newspapers and started doing so online instead?

 

Nice 

[hefdaddy42]

I assume because that's when they stopped advertising their shows in newspapers and started doing so online instead?

Oh shit  

[Wukong]

Don't forget that James hired Mike three times to work on his solo records. He's the only one in the line up who had some type of relationship with him when he was hired. I think he really liked having him in the band and was relieved to no longer be in an uncomfortable relationship with a band member.

And based on only speculation I think he was genuinely conflicted about replacing him but likely didn't have any choice but to accept it.

As far as I'm concerned JLB ordered those albums from a catalogue.

[TAC]

Some fans hated Rudess when Sherinian was fired. 

They did?

[MoraWintersoul]

I went down a couple rabbit holes this weekend with the DT Facebook forums, and let's be crystal clear: some of the hardcore MP Warriors are annoying AF, but the Mangini Maniacs or whatever we want top call them are just as bad.

Stads thinks both sides of discourse about something are equally bad, hold the phone

I agree with you, it's all a bit "neener neener". I'm not sure that's the fanbase I would want if I were Mike Mangini, but on the other hand, now he has his own "warriors" and gets to see what that's like

[hefdaddy42]

They did?

Of course.  Doesn't matter what the change is, someone will hate it.

Don't tell me you don't know this.  You're usually one of the haters when ANYTHING changes/advances/joins the 21st century.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

As far as I'm concerned JLB ordered those albums from a catalogue.

I'd give JLB a little more credit than that.

[TAC]

Of course.  Doesn't matter what the change is, someone will hate it.

Don't tell me you don't know this.  You're usually one of the haters when ANYTHING changes/advances/joins the 21st century.

I remember being so upset when they made Derek a permanent member. And the vibe at the show on the SFAM tour was so incredibly next level. I thought the guy from LTE joining DT was universally lauded.

[hefdaddy42]

I thought the guy from LTE joining DT was universally lauded.

Someone hated it.

[TAC]

Someone hated it.

You did?

[hefdaddy42]

You did?

No.  But I would have been interested to hear another album with Derek contributing.

[The Scott of Tuscany]

No.  But I would have been interested to hear another album with Derek contributing.

But no one is better than Rudess. He plays with the most feel I have ever heard.

[nobloodyname]

I must've read 25 or 30 posts this weekend that seem to think that the only thing that matters is the ability to play <insert impossible drum figure in here>.  I even am starting to see mocking posts of "RLKK, RLKK, RLRL" or some shit like that, which I guess is basically making fun of Portnoy for GASP! REUSING A FUCKING DRUM FILL!  SOMEONE CALL THE MUSIC POLICE! 

Yup, I alluded to that yesterday. The idea that there's more pro-MP propaganda on social media than there is pro-Mangini is just simply untrue. And, frankly, both sets of fans could do with piping the fuck down.

[TAC]

What are you guys even reading?

[Setlist Scotty]

What are you guys even reading?

That new-fangled thing called Facebook that you old-timers can't wrap your heads around!   

[Schurftkut]

That new-fangled thing called Facebook that you old-timers can't wrap your heads around!   

but FB is for oldtimers?

[Trav]

I'm a woman and I like his personality, I'm in my early thirties and I don't routinely have crushes on people who could have fathered me. JP is the big exception*   Your feelings are valid though

*because when I got into DT he looked like this:

Swoon!

When I got into the band...



As a straight man...I'm not against it lol

[Setlist Scotty]

but FB is for oldtimers?

Timmay is older than that! 

[genome]

I mean, I wrote on the Facebook fan page this weekend that no one hates Dream Theater as much as Dream Theater fans.

It's true.

It's always been this way, as far as I can remember.  Some fans hated Sherinian when KM left.  Some fans hated Rudess when Sherinian was fired.  Same as it ever was.

I think it's because Dream Theater have a disproportionate number of nerds for fans. And this is what nerds do

[TAC]

Timmay is older than that! 

 

Definitely too old for facebook

[wolfking]

What's a Face Book?

[WilliamMunny]

When I got into the band...



As a straight man...I'm not against it lol

Not that it really matters, but I've always wondered, was JR wearing a wig those first few years?

[hefdaddy42]

What are you guys even reading?

Goddammit

[Stadler]

Yup, I alluded to that yesterday. The idea that there's more pro-MP propaganda on social media than there is pro-Mangini is just simply untrue. And, frankly, both sets of fans could do with piping the fuck down.

Word. 

[Stadler]

When I got into the band...



As a straight man...I'm not against it lol

Also a straight man, but I thought the early 2000's version of the band was an EXCEEDINGLY good looking version of the band.   

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I don't know why, but having had the opportunity to meet the band, I find that picture even funnier considering they're all hobbits.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't know why, but having had the opportunity to meet the band, I find that picture even funnier considering they're all hobbits.

Tiny, tiny people

[TAC]

I don't know why, but having had the opportunity to meet the band, I find that picture even funnier considering they're all hobbits.

I have a pic with Mike Mangini and he's probably 5'8".

[hefdaddy42]

I have a pic with Mike Mangini and he's probably 5'8".

He was standing on something or was wearing platform shoes.  That fucker isn't 5'8".  First time I met him, I thought I might step on him and hurt him.  I seriously considered just putting him in my pocket for safe keeping.