christb Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater by Mike Portnoy on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 7:21am 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 Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajter Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 So weird that DT decided to continue without MP. It's impossible to imagine that going right. I also think it's very unfair towards MP. He really made and was the band. Did everything for them. It takes a big man to just step away from something you created. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jamesyfx Subscriber² Posted September 12, 2010 Subscriber² Share Posted September 12, 2010 So weird that DT decided to continue without MP. It's impossible to imagine that going right. I also think it's very unfair towards MP. He really made and was the band. Did everything for them. It takes a big man to just step away from something you created. Yeah, he kinda did all the work and always stepped in during recording to change things around. I don't think I'll be buying another album of theirs now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fix-this! Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 wondering why he left after all this time? maybe metallica should hire him! :devil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-KJ Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 wondering why he left after all this time? maybe metallica should hire him! :devil: I think he's with a7x now, or is he just helping them still? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fix-this! Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 I think he's with a7x now, or is he just helping them still? i dunno but he should give lars drum lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jamesyfx Subscriber² Posted September 12, 2010 Subscriber² Share Posted September 12, 2010 I think he's with a7x now, or is he just helping them still? I'm pretty sure his main project is now A7X. And I'm pretty sure Metallica stuff won't really motivate the guy, unless it's Dyers Eve and nothing else. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajter Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 I think he's with a7x now, or is he just helping them still? Still just helping out. But he may take the gig. After all, he needs a job now, and A7X need a drummer. I would be disappointed though. I don't like A7X. There's a transcript somewhere from an interview with Eddie Trunk. Mike clears up a lot of things there. :) edit : here it is http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145872 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambiance Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Dream Theatre are very talented, but for me that talent doesn't translate into good music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jamesyfx Subscriber² Posted September 12, 2010 Subscriber² Share Posted September 12, 2010 Dream Theatre are very talented, but for me that talent doesn't translate into good music. True, a lot of their music is hard to listen to unless you're a prog metal fan. They don't really have enough 'friendly' songs, like other bands like Queensryche do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken-royal Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 He's just doing drums for A7X's touring at the moment. MP and A7X have said this, even after this news. Never listened to DT that much tbh, but I know of MP's skills and respect him massively for being there for A7X (massive fan of them btw ;)). I can see him becoming a full time member of A7X somewhere down the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minifig Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 wondering why he left after all this time? maybe metallica should hire him! :devil: That's an insult to Portnoy's talent.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calum Veteran Posted September 13, 2010 Veteran Share Posted September 13, 2010 wondering why he left after all this time? maybe metallica should hire him! :devil: Haha (Y) I'd prefer anybody to Lars Ulrich :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajter Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 That's an insult to Portnoy's talent.. I agree. Ulrich is so terrible technically. :no: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PL_ Veteran Posted September 14, 2010 Veteran Share Posted September 14, 2010 I'm surprised they weren't open to the idea of taking a break. Wish I'd seen Dream Theater when I had the chance before :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajter Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Yeah I'm quite disappointed by that as well. I saw them live at the last Progressive Nation tour. But to be honest I was not impressed with that gig. Maybe if I knew it would be the last time I'd see them (in that line-up), I'd have been more enthusiastic. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_c_b Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Too bad, I saw DT open for Iron Maiden this summer and it was a great set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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