Portnoy quits Dream Theater!?!?!

Discuss other bands we like
Post Reply
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Portnoy quits Dream Theater!?!?!

Post by shramiac »

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


Not unexpected for me! He's been spreading himself too thin and it looks like DT has to take the hit!!! Great drummer, songwriter & lyric writer. TERRIBLE singer though! I won't miss that part of him that's for sure. Seems like a genuine guy when you meet him, more talkative than the other 3 (you can't include Myung as he speaks to no-one LOL)!
Still sux bigtime though. I guess Joey Jordison will now take his place as Slipcock aren't doing anything!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

My cousin is a massive DT fan, which is surprising if you know him, lol. He saw them two or three times last tour.

I never got into them but have listened to the album they did with Desmond Chid after I found out about it. My fave song on it is Ana Lee?

Is Portnoy the drummer and singer? His voice is not great. Sometimes it really annoyed me.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Poor singer, yes and I hated every time he sung . Sorry to stereotype but he has the classic ugly New Yorker voice. We'll see what happens as he almost left the band in 97' (Falling into Infinity album, with the Des Child co-written song ,You not Me) because of John Petrucci willing to "commercialise" to keep the record company happy as it had new PR people who couldn't understand DT's music! So maybe more "commercial" but even without him, DT will never be commercial!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

Yeah, that's the album I have listened to the most, didn't Desmond produce it too?

My cousin told me about the record company and trying to commercialise DT.

I don't mind the album but it doesn't set my world on fire.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

No Kevin Shirley did it! He's now Maiden's producer.
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

Oh...there you go....I was looking to see if Desmond had given them a Detonator type sound.

I don't mind that album, and Ana Lee is my fave song.

Maybe they can get a good singer now.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Now, now GB!!!! He's quite a good singer as the world is now! The 2 times I've seen him he's been great. What I didn't know was that he shot his voice after a bout of food poisoning pre Falling into Infinity hence his voice is "breathier" and lower on that album. He said he couldn't really sing as good as he wanted till 2002, so nearly 6 years at half voice! Still, I have to admit that most of his vocals are re-done on the live DVDs, which is disappointing!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Post by poserboy71 »

Most vocals are redone on live recordings- Ask Paul Stanley.
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

I hate when stuff like vocals ar redone on live recordings...geez...

I just think his voice is bland and uninteresting for the most part. Who knows what will happen with them now. They may get two guys in, one to kick butt on drums and one that can kick butt on singing.

Look at Iron Maiden and Helloween after they got new singers. What an improvment.

I got used to Kai's vocals but gee, thank you for bringing Kiske in!!!!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Post by poserboy71 »

James LaBrie didn't quit. Did he? :? :? :?
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Genebaby wrote:I hate when stuff like vocals ar redone on live recordings...geez...



Look at Iron Maiden and Helloween after they got new singers. What an improvment.
Yeah I'd rather hear the off notes now and then too. LaBrie was great on the Images tour (that Video wasn't redone) and fantastic on the Awake album.

And with Maiden are you refering to DiAnno or Bailey? I loved Paul but Bailey was the worst decision that Maiden ever made. Having said that, 'The X Factor' is great Maiden album but would have been greater had Bruce sung on it. 'Virtual 11' is dogshit though!!!!
Never really listened to Helloween.
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

Sorry, I totally forgot about the Bailey years, as I'm sure have the rest of the band. Yes, that Virtual album is an absolute turd.

I meant going from DiAnno to Dickinson.

No Helloween? Get yourself Keeper Part 1 NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not hesitate. Excellent stuff.

I like all Helloween, but original with Kai singing is hardest to listen to after Kiske. The music is good, but his vocals aren't great.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Genebaby wrote:Sorry, I totally forgot about the Bailey years, as I'm sure have the rest of the band. Yes, that Virtual album is an absolute turd.

I meant going from DiAnno to Dickinson.

No Helloween? Get yourself Keeper Part 1 NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not hesitate. Excellent stuff.

I like all Helloween, but original with Kai singing is hardest to listen to after Kiske. The music is good, but his vocals aren't great.
I remember I thought they were tosers at the time because that album had a sticker that went something like, "Maiden have a 12 minute song, well we've got a 20 min song!" Or something like that. I didn't know that Hansson was the original singer too. I got sucked into Savatage like that. I got Edge of Thorns from the bargin bin for $6 and I loved it and then got Handful of Rain and loved it too. So on the Kiss Convention tour in 95' I went to Sydney (after seeing the Brisbane convention gig and concert the next night) to see the 2nd show (and sneak into the Sydney convention, he he) and I bought all the back catalogue of Savatage at Utopia Records! UUUUrrrgggghhh Jon Oliva's vocals! UUURRGGGHH! I can't listen to those albums at all! And there are some nice songs on them too. Chris Oliva wasn't a bad player at all. And to get killed in a prang 3 blocks from his own house too. Sux bigtime.
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

Definitely give Keeper Part 1 a listen as your first Helloween album. Don't worry about the sticker, that was long ago.

Kiske was a candidate to replace Dickinson if I remember correctly.

So you were at the Sydney Kiss show and convention? I was there too!

The long song on Keeper 1 is EXCELLENT. It was written by Kai.

The long song on Keeper 2 is not so excellent. It was written by Michael, who's still in the band, lol.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Yeah I snuck in after they'd played as the security was very tight. The Brisbane passes were pink and the Sydney ones red so they knew if you were trying to sneek in. I did though but still couldn't get near G & P for an autograph! Only got Eric's in Brisbane! It was nice to see all the gear for 2nd time though! I bought Kisstory so I eventually got their autographs! We had a wedding in Brisbane! Man, was she ugly! Real hippy looking pair! Got it all on vid! And the acoustic gig on cassette!! Shhhhhhh. :wink:

And the Brisbane "proper" show was fantastic, 5th or 6th row but the Sydney seats were atrocious!! We were actually behind the front edge of the stage on Gene's side and could barely see Bruce at all. They played well though but I remember one of Eric's tom mikes (or the mixer) wasn't working for a couple of songs. Brrrrpppp, brrrrrrp,............., brrrrppp.
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
Shred4hire
Posts: 513
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:17 am

Post by Shred4hire »

shramiac
you were in dream theater ?:-P
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

I audio taped the Sydney acoustic session too. Began doing it on video and got dragged out and tape confiscated.

Then I began audio and video taping the concert the next night. I was way up front and easily spotted with the video so was dragged out again and that was confiscated.

Then they somehow spotted the mic from my recorder, which clips to my shirt, no idea still how they noticed, nobody usually does.

Lost that tape too.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

chris bickley wrote:shramiac
you were in dream theater ?:-P
Yeah I was Portnoy when he put on weight for a while!!!! :lol: :lol:
Closest I'd got to being in DT was when I forked out the money to go to 2 meet and greets and got in a photo with them.
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Genebaby wrote:I audio taped the Sydney acoustic session too. Began doing it on video and got dragged out and tape confiscated.

Then I began audio and video taping the concert the next night. I was way up front and easily spotted with the video so was dragged out again and that was confiscated.

Then they somehow spotted the mic from my recorder, which clips to my shirt, no idea still how they noticed, nobody usually does.

Lost that tape too.
I can't remember which gigs I recorded? I'll have to look! But I have the whole Brissy acoustic gig. Good mix and I don't think I missed a song either. The only bad thing is some dickhead trying to sing along with the do do do of I Was Made For Loving You! :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Post by poserboy71 »

Shramiac, post those photos !!! :D
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

I'll have to digitize some stuff I recorded back in the day. My convention show is a really good recording too.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

poserboy71 wrote:Shramiac, post those photos !!! :D
No! I don't think anyone on the board needs to throw-up!!!!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Post by poserboy71 »

We've already seem your grossness on Facebook. :lol: :lol: :lol:
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

HEY! Yuck Fou Buddy!!! :P :P :P :P :P :lol: :lol: :lol:
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Batman
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:32 am

Post by Batman »

Hope he stays with Avenged as a more permanent member. Nightmare was great record.
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

That was the worry for DT fans! I think when A7 got No.1 on the charts a few of us went oo oh!!! Trouble for A7 fans is that Portnoy is a self confessed control freak and will no doubt try to take over the band!!! He spread himself too thin and then when DT wanted to start work again, he wanted to take time off!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Sorry for the small size ( I hear that a lot!!) but the pic was either huge or small and I haven't cropped it to a reasonable size but you'll get the gist of it. Small size should reduce the barf factor!

Myself and DT at Brisbane Dec 2009.

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss27 ... ec2009.jpg
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

And by the way that was an airbrushed T-shirt done by a guy in Townsville by hand! No stencills used like Nic Smith of England who does all the KIss shirts! I'll post a pic of it and a Bruce K shirt I have!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

How about that! I already had them loaded into photobucket so here they are!

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss27 ... 009104.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss27 ... 009105.jpg

Great detail it has to be said. The DT one is now autographed! :D
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17754
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Post by Genebaby »

Cool man. If it wasn't for the airbrushed t-shirt I wouldn't have known which one was you. No idea what most of DT look like, lol...
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Post by shramiac »

Cool, thanks! Nice not to be recognized when with talent! Mostly I get confused with Lex Luther! :P
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
VVWarrior82
Posts: 115
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:04 am
Location: Dimension Hatröss
Contact:

Re: Portnoy quits Dream Theater!?!?!

Post by VVWarrior82 »

Portnoy's a hell of a drummer, but I've never really cared much for DT outside of a few songs off of some of their early records. Their technically impressive, but to me it's always sounded like the music has no soul.
User avatar
wolfgang161272
Posts: 2105
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:53 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Portnoy quits Dream Theater!?!?!

Post by wolfgang161272 »

I totally agree with you. Technically the music is perfect - but the soul is nowhere to find...
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10115
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Re: Portnoy quits Dream Theater!?!?!

Post by shramiac »

I can understand that! I love the Train of Thought album but the solos, can't believe I'm saying this on a Vinnie Vincent Forum, were too shreddy!!! Petrucci and Rudess were trying to outdo each other with the solos! Images & Words and the Awke album I listen to the most. They have some nice stuff on them. And it's when vocalist James LaBrie was at his best. Not as breathy or wobbly like he can be now!
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
VVWarrior82
Posts: 115
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:04 am
Location: Dimension Hatröss
Contact:

Re: Portnoy quits Dream Theater!?!?!

Post by VVWarrior82 »

Actually, I know exactly what you mean, it's the same reason I've never liked Malmsteen, it's all speed for speed's sake. Vinnie's ace in the hole was it might've all been played at Mach fucking 12, but he was FEELING it man.

On a side note, the wives of DT were formerly in a thrash band called Meanstreak together, and the album TOTALLY fucking rips, it's called Roadkill. I strongly reccomend searching it out.

And for the record, Di'Anno is the best Iron Maiden, period :D
Post Reply