Say it ain't so Mike

[JPM7stringfan]

Not guitar related, but this is huge, disappointing news to a diehard fan that I am.


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

[Killswitch Engage]

Wow, this is really interesting. Where did you find this? Mike Portnoy is such an awesome drummer, hopefully this isn't a foreshadowing of things to come...

Just in the last few months I have come to really love DT as a band and appreciate them musically (JP owns so hard on guitar!) and this is shocking news. Honestly though, for a band to play together so long speaks of all of their dedication and commitment, yet I can tell Mike needs a major break! I wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors, and hope DT keeps bringing us awesome music!

BTW, though my username is Killswitch Engage, it could just as easily be Dream Theater! Rock on guys!

[The Euphor]

Will be interesting to see DT's new drummer...

I'm no big DT fan, but I can see that this is a really hard blow to the band. Still, it's just a guy following his heart, if the fans truly like them they will understand. Life goes on.

[Jason Stone]

http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2585154.aspx

I'm really shocked. This is not the same band without him, on many levels.

[Synesthesia]

All I can say is,

Please Mark Zonder, please Mark Zonder, please Mark Zonder, please Mark Zonder, please Mark Zonder,..............

[redaxe]

This news really saddened me. I really wanted to see Dream Theater live; everyone included. I really hope there's a reunion some day. Dream Theater will never be the same without Mike Portnoy.

[Killswitch Engage]

Originally Posted by redaxe

This news really saddened me. I really wanted to see Dream Theater live; everyone included. I really hope there's a reunion some day. Dream Theater will never be the same without Mike Portnoy.

While seeing the whole original band live would be cool, the point is they wouldn't be the same even with Mike, and that wasn't something he wanted. Who knows, we just might like the change...

[redaxe]

Originally Posted by Killswitch Engage

While seeing the whole original band live would be cool, the point is they wouldn't be the same even with Mike, and that wasn't something he wanted. Who knows, we just might like the change...

Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm trying to cheer myself up a little by thinking of what happened with Dickinson and Maiden, Halford and Priest. I think this change is of the same magnitude, and maybe Portnoy's return in 5 or 10 years could make for some of the best music DT has created. I'm honestly very much looking forward to the band's new output without Portnoy's influence. I'm curious to see if they'll return to their earlier roots, their more progressive rock sound. I was listening to "An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess" earlier and I'd love to see something like that in a DT album. We will see, we will see.

[IbanezFreak777]

Shocked

[corey j grieve]

Don't blame him one bit,i couldn't of lasted as long as he did! Great muso's but IMO possibly the most overrated band ever! zzzZZzzZzzz.
Jp would bore me into a coma to talk to and spend any time with and listening to James sing crappy lyrics every night with his voice, AARRGGGHH the agony.
The fact they would want to carry on without the him also speaks volumes,they all have better things to offer in session work,guest spots and solo albums,which is something i really want JP to do another of as the first was AWESOME!
I may go put on a DT album as an act of respect................................NO actually i won't bother i'm bored and tired enough.

Just my opinion folks,i have the utmost respect for them as musicians.

[jono]

I wish Mike all the best. As a guitarist I'd like to see JP do another solo album, and I'd have liked Mike to be the drummer on that album.

Maybe he'll join Avenged Sevenfold full time and have some fun with those guys I think they look silly but i'll admit that as a guilty pleasure, I quite like their pop metal

[mi2tom]

Come back portnoy!

[UV-7-BK]

now if only lars would follow suit and leave metallica

[The Euphor]

Originally Posted by UV-7-BK

now if only lars would follow suit and leave metallica

You want him to join DT, don't you!?

[UV-7-BK]

Originally Posted by The Euphor

You want him to join DT, don't you!?

Yep, just to see him royally screw that up as well!!!