Is This Guy A Little Too Full Of Himself?

[elduave]

Not a fan, although I thought the drummer seemed like a likeable enough fellow. Some of the things in this statement are a little too... I don't know. Check it out:

Wednesday September 8th 2010

I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write:

After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.

To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...

Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...

Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...

But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...

Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....

Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and being true to yourself"...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be "going through the motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within....

You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)

Sadly...

Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,

MP

"Move on be brave, don't weep at my grave, because I am no longer here...

But please never let your memory of me disappear...."

--- The Spirit Carries On

Damn dude. Get over yourself. Third person? Waterloo!

[cmatthes]

What the hell is "Dream Theater"?

[serial]

What the hell is "Dream Theater"?

I found this in Websters-(can't type the "schwas", etc tho):

Dream Theater-(dreem THEE-a-ter) noun. A large yawn.

[Kurt L]

Full of himself or not, the guy is badass drummer. I saw Dream Theater from the 3rd row a few years back and the whole band was jaw-dropping.

Hope he's happy whatever he decides to do.

[HAMERMAN]

He seems to me like a pretty good guy who put 100% into something for a long time and is now starting to find it a bit stale. I think his recent work with Avenged Sevenfold probably made that clear for him.

I love DT but the albums after Kevin Moore always left me feeling like they could have been even better (With the notable exception of Scenes From a Memory which IMHO is one of their best). I really wish they would let Jordan Rudess stretch out a bit like he gets to on his solo albums and side projects. Instead of a really good album every two years I wish they would take three and make each one incredible.

[SteveB]

Portnoy might be the best prog drummer out there, IMO. He's a monster. DT will not be DT without him.

[ZR]

I love Dream Theater but their older stuff is much better. I wish them all luck in the future but it did sound a little sactimonious and I don't even know the actual definition of that word!! ; ) ...but I just came back from the Irish pub and helped drink 4 pitchers! ; )

[atquinn]

A bit melodramatic, but then from what I understand, he was the driving force of the band in all facets, so I'll cut him some slack.

-Austin

[cynic]

A bit melodramatic, but then from what I understand, he was the driving force of the band in all facets, so I'll cut him some slack.

-Austin

Having Petrucci in front of you couldn't hurt.

No offense to drummers, but for your average joe radio listener, next to the bass player the drummer is probably the most easily replaced band member without anyone being the wiser.

Oh, and no offense to bass players

[hamertek98]

I think I'd notice if Myung was gone.........

But, I play bass

[GusS]

I love Dream Theater but their older stuff is much better. I wish them all luck in the future but it did sound a little sactimonious and I don't even know the actual definition of that word!! ; ) ...but I just came back from the Irish pub and helped drink 4 pitchers! ; )

acrimonious

[hamertek98]

Got this from EBMM.....

This is the press release that Rob (moderator for JLB.com) posted. Hasn't been posted on DT.net though

Press Release

To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with

profound sadness -- regret -- we announce that Mike

Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has

decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike's stature in

the band has meant the world to all of us

professionally, musically, and personally over the

years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major

force within this band.

While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other

ventures and challenges, we can assure you

that Dream Theater will continue to move forward

with the same intensity -- and in the same musical

tradition -- that you have all helped make so

successful, and which is truly gratifying to us.

Fans and friends: File this episode under "Black

Clouds and Silver Linings."As planned, we begin

recording our newest album in January 2010, and

we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "The Spirit

Carries On."

All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike

the best on his musical journey. We have had a long

and meaningful career together. It is our true hope

that he finds all he is looking for, and that he

achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be

missed.

[jisham]

A bit melodramatic, but then from what I understand, he was the driving force of the band in all facets, so I'll cut him some slack.

-Austin

Agree 100 percent. It's like Peart leaving Rush.

[BlueRedWhite]

What the hell is "Dream Theater"?

Just one of the founding pillars of what is called progressive metal (along with Fates Warning, and early Queensryche)

Mike Portnoy is revered by modern musicians as one mofo of a drummer. I'm a big fan of their music although i don't know the members that well, but a friend of mine tells me that MP is the one that keeps the contact with the fans, answering everything and going often to their forum. He's the most lovable and most visible member of the band, along with John Petrucci, the lead guitar and co-founder.

I found it normal after 25 years that the guy wants a break. He's not only the drummer, he composes, do the musical arrangements and take cares of the fan base.

I think he's entitled to say that he's a co-founder of the band. He was certainly one of its most active members.

Those are HUGE shoes to step into...no kidding

BTW, IMHO, he is better drummer than Petrucci is an axeman..and i play guitar.

[MCChris]

No offense to drummers, but for your average joe radio listener, next to the bass player the drummer is probably the most easily replaced band member without anyone being the wiser.

Without an excellent drummer, average joe radio listener will never hear your band, because your band will be shit.

If your drummer sucks, your band sucks. Period. No exceptions.

[BubbaVO]

No offense to drummers, but for your average joe radio listener, next to the bass player the drummer is probably the most easily replaced band member without anyone being the wiser.

Without an excellent drummer, average joe radio listener will never hear your band, because your band will be shit.

If your drummer sucks, your band sucks. Period. No exceptions.

+1

[elduave]

I think he's entitled to say that he's a co-founder of the band.

Oh, he did.

[Jason01]

I really do believe that Mike poured his heart and soul into that band and DT will never be the same without him. He's got an incredible work ethic, that cannot be denied (how many side projects did he do while still churning out DT albums at an incredible rate?) I do think he just got bored and was always looking for something more to do, maybe he found some new energy with A7X. I'm guessing he had some fun with their stuff and wants to tour with them. I wouldn't be surprised if he returns to DT though when he gets bored with them and realizes they aren't half the musicians the DT guys are.

[MCChris]

I was shocked to see that Lou hasn't chimed in on this topic yet, until it occurred to me that he's probably sucking his thumb in a fetal position somewhere in a state of deep mourning.

[edgar_allan_poe]

No offense to drummers, but for your average joe radio listener, next to the bass player the drummer is probably the most easily replaced band member without anyone being the wiser.

What makes you think that DT fans are "average Joe radio listeners"? Fans of that type of music are not radio listeners in any sense of the word.

I am not a DT fan. I like some of their stuff but wouldn't consider myself a fan at all. I *have* seen this guy live though, and he is an absolute monster. He was Petrucci's drummer on the G3 tour.

[cynic]

Without an excellent drummer, average joe radio listener will never hear your band, because your band will be shit.

If your drummer sucks, your band sucks. Period. No exceptions.

Sure, if you go out of your way to replace them with a shit drummer. I didn't say the replacement would be shit, that's your word. All I'm saying is that those less musically inclined would notice a change in singer or guitarist long before a change in bass player or drummer. My wife, for example...has stated she'd never really heard the bass line in most songs until she met me. I choose to believe there are many more that don't.

I've never seen a single plug-n-play singer machine, bass machine, or guitar machine for sale in a music store

[velorush]

I am only a casual fan, owning only one DT CD and one LTE CD, but have found the drumming incredible.

That said, I probably wouldn't have written such an announcement but would have allowed room for others to say those things for me (and had he not written them, others probably would have).

[svl]

Mike isn't full of himself, in fact he's a really nice, normal guy. He was trying to convey his feelings in an intelligent manner to his listeners without being a major dick to the rest of the band, and did a pretty nice job of it IMO. If it were me and I had his history with the band (and indeed, he WAS the driving force behind DT), I don't think I could have been as cordial, but then I'm not the most PC minded individual in any event.

Here's a shot of Mike this past NAMM show at our booth goofing around in the Batmobile. Again, a completely normal, unpretentious, really amiable dude, freaking out like a fanboy over the car, just like the majority of us would. Super nice, no "rockstar" bullshit, just another "batnerd" in the crowd. I wish him luck (but working with bands like Avenge Sevenfold it ain't like he's going back to square one anyway and probably doesn't need it) and look forward to hearing his upcoming work. Dude is a major badass behind that kit!

[MCChris]

Sure, if you go out of your way to replace them with a shit drummer. I didn't say the replacement would be shit, that's your word. All I'm saying is that those less musically inclined would notice a change in singer or guitarist long before a change in bass player or drummer. My wife, for example...has stated she'd never really heard the bass line in most songs until she met me. I choose to believe there are many more that don't.

I'll go along with that, when you're talking about a band like Nickelback (who actually replaced a ho-hum drummer with a great one and I'm sure none of their listeners cared less). But, say, the Police without Copeland? Even casual fans would notice that.

Of course, we all know Dream Theater doesn't really have any casual fans who aren't musically inclined (nor any fans with vaginas) so this discussion doesn't really pertain to them.

[edgar_allan_poe]

All I'm saying is that those less musically inclined

The "less musically inclined" are not DT fans. Your argument doesn't hold water in this particular example. Jaye said it best when he compared his leaving to Peart leaving Rush.

Of course, we all know Dream Theater doesn't really have any casual fans who aren't musically inclined (nor any fans with vaginas) so this discussion doesn't really pertain to them.

Bingo...you beat me to it.