Mike Portnoy leaves DT

[JMD]

Don't know if any of you are Dream Theater fans or not, but Portnoy has posted on Facebook that he has left the band.

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 *** 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

[alifeincomplete]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

It's heartbreaking. This is the day that music died for me, I'm afraid. I was... stunned... when I heard the news earlier. I feel like I've lost a life-long friend.

[eXperiment63]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

It' potentially great for a7x.

[Guffers]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

Mark my words this won't last. Its like as if Lars left Metallica, it just won't be the same band. They will get Virgil Donati or someone similar and Mike will be back within 5 or so years.

[JMD]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

Mark my words this won't last. Its like as if Lars left Metallica, it just won't be the same band. They will get Virgil Donati or someone similar and Mike will be back within 5 or so years.

I agree he will probably be back, but the Lars leaving Metallica comparision is way off. Lars is a horrible drummer and could easily be replaced by several guys out there, and it would be an improvement to the band. Portnoy's replacement will not be as easy to find.

Also I hope Portnoy didn't leave to join A7x full time, huge downgrade if he did.

[Guffers]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

I don't disagree that Lars is a technically poor drummer but his particular brand of back beat combined with Hetfield's guitar basically defines their sound. Replace Lars and it might sound tighter but it wouldnt sound like metallica.

[Gibbz]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

Lars is a horrible drummer and could easily be replaced by several guys out there, and it would be an improvement to the band.

Lars is Metallica. Take him out of the picture and there's no band.

[mrpotatohead5]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

Lars is Metallica. Take him out of the picture and there's no band.

As much as they could have some improvement in the ability of the drummer if he was gone there is no replacement for Lars, if your really into Metallica you realize how much he IS such a large part of the band, so much of the sound and image, he is so involved in the live shows. I'd love to hear what James, Kirk, and Rob could do with a different drummer but it would not be Metallica.

[Guffers]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

I also don't think it will be all that hard to replace Portnoy on a purely technical level. Across America and the rest of the world there are a ton of drummers in music college, doing gigs and practising like crazy, who could slip right in. Portnoy was and is a great drummer but he is not the yard stick by which all others are measured.

But his stage presence, personality and enthusiasm will be very hard to replace. This guy has built this band from the ground up for 25 years and it won't be even remotely the same without him.

Still, I am very interested to hear the new album because Dream Theater were falling into a rut for me. The last few records really started feel like DT by the numbers. I want them to really put themselves out there and make something fresh and invigorating. I don't want the same tired metal riffs and cut/paste composition. These guys are immensely talented musicians and are capable something truly special. I think an extended break would have been the best thing for this band so the fact that they are jumping straight back into the studio worries me a little. Its going to be interesting to see where all of this goes.

[Guffers]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

Well Dream Theater have chosen their new drummer and its Mike Mangini (Of Steve Vai & Extreme) Obviously he is a complete monster behind the kit so lets hope the new Dream Theater record is amazing.

[racerx]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

Well Dream Theater have chosen their new drummer and its Mike Mangini (Of Steve Vai & Extreme) Obviously he is a complete monster behind the kit so lets hope the new Dream Theater record is amazing.

He was also in Annihilator, great drummer. Interested to see how it goes with him.

[savoie2006]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

The question is, will he be able to take help with the song writing as Portnoy did? The whole reason Portnoy wanted to leave is because he wanted to have more creative time before the next record and the rest of the band wanted to push forward. A shame, because I feel Mike was right and that the band needed time to renew their creative juices a bit. The last cd I really liked by them was Train of Thought. Octavarium had some great moments(like the title track), but was half garbage to me. The last two with Road Runner grew old quick. I will say that I won't be buying their new disc unless it's something rather different and amazing. Who knows, maybe the fresh blood will liven the group up a bit and help spark their creative juices.

[Alai]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

There is one music group CDs I've bought year after year ever since 1990. It's Dream Theater.

At first I was sad to hear Portnoy was leaving. I was a big fan. But then I read what he had to say.

Does he really think he's irreplaceable? There are tons of young drummers out there that can do what he does, and probably more. Besides, his stupid lyrics writing never worked for me while Pettrucci's song writings I've always liked. Not to mention his ******* trying of deathmetal back vocals. DT don't need that sheit.

After so many years, I say good riddence. He was getting annoying anyway. All we need are Pettrucci, and the rest. I hope the new drummer works out well too.

[Guffers]

Re: Mike Portnoy leaves DT

I totally agree in that I think Portnoy was right to want time off. A year or two of time off would probably mean a renewed band with more inspiration. The last few albums have started to become bland to me. Incredible musicianship but the composition is starting to sound by the numbers.

Its interesting that they chose the drummer that played their tunes mostly like Portnoy. The other guys that added their own flair weren't really given a chance. I would have loved to see Virgil Donati get the gig, maybe just to see an Australian in the band! It was great seeing him eat the odd time signatures for breakfast. Still he is probably getting a little too old at 52.

Either way I give it 2, maybe 3 albums and Portnoy will be back.