Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater.

[ForeverAutumn]

This is not a joke. From the forum on his website...

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

CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!

I just can't imagine DT without Portnoy. I'm mourning.

[poppachubby]

Wow. Thanks for the detailed post FA. Ya that's nuts alright, it's like Sabbath without Ozzy. It will be interesting to seehow it pans out for both parties, and if they get back together.

[kexodusc]

Yeah, this kinda sucks. These guys are one of my all-time favs, there aren't many I've heard that I liked more.

Player turnover and eventually the end of DT is just the natural order of things I guess - deep down, I think it's just a matter of time until he's back, if not, I've got tons of great music out of the band so I won't be crying. Like FA, I can't imagine DT without MP, but we'll see how they do.

Funny how it's always such a big deal when musicians leave the band. If I wrote a letter like that to my clients or co-workers my boss would say "make sure you clean out your desk drawers of any personal effects, the cleaners trash everything".

[MasterCylinder]

Sounds like another case of childish internecine squabble...............go get another tatoo................idiot.

[ForeverAutumn]

Posted today on the Roadrunner Records site (DT's label):

In the wake of Mike Portnoy’s announcement that he is leaving Dream Theater, the remaining members of the band have issued the following statement about the matter:

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 2011, 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.

[Snowbunny]

Funny how it's always such a big deal when musicians leave the band. If I wrote a letter like that to my clients or co-workers my boss would say "make sure you clean out your desk drawers of any personal effects, the cleaners trash everything".

Snarf! That quote made me laugh out loud! (Somehow heheh... just didn't reflect my level of amusement.)

I can't think of any Dream Theater songs I've heard. All the same Autumn's post made me kind of sad. It always resonates deeply with the fans when an original member leaves any band.

I'll have to check my old RR CD's and see if there's any DT.

Snowie

[Finch Platte]

I think ol' Mike just realized how sucky the singer was & was too nice to say anything.

[Stone]

Who??

[Snowbunny]

I think ol' Mike just realized how sucky the singer was & was too nice to say anything.

Who??

Oh, they're a prog band, eh?

[3LB]

who will they get to over-drum for them?

maybe Neal Morse converted him

heh heh

If this is some sort of harbinger of the eventual end of DT, then so be it. They've repeated themselves on the last four albums, IMO. That is not to downplay their importance to Prog and metal. DT has had a great run, surviving the wane of heavy metal (to near extinction) long enough to be considered keepers of the flame and integral to its resurgence.

But then again, other members have come and gone and DT kept going. Drummers aren't impossible to find... maybe they could recruit that dude from Mastodon.

[kexodusc]

But then again, other members have come and gone and DT kept going. Drummers aren't impossible to find... maybe they could recruit that dude from Mastodon.

I heard Meg White was gonna be the new drummer....

[ForeverAutumn]

I heard Meg White was gonna be the new drummer....

Now that's funny!

[Finch Platte]

I heard Meg White was gonna be the new drummer....

Ringo!!!!

[Swish]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Forgive me Mr. Roth.

[Troy]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Forgive me Mr. Roth.

Sock humping jagoff. Oh, sorry.

[MasterCylinder]

Visited the DT webpage earlier today............all links to Portnoy have been removed.

[ForeverAutumn]

Word is that that they have seven drummers that they are auditioning.

[MasterCylinder]

While I completely understand and appreciate what Mike Portnoy can do with the drum set, I suspect that no matter who is chosen by Dream Theater as the new drummer, their music will soon be more "musical".
I think most, if not everyone, at this board believes that the percussion on some of the DT songs is overplayed............a few to the point of "because I can"............and in some cases it actually detracts (or distracts) from the aggregate presentation.

I'm wondering if Portnoy's politics within DT was also overplayed.

[ForeverAutumn]

While I completely understand and appreciate what Mike Portnoy can do with the drum set, I suspect that no matter who is chosen by Dream Theater as the new drummer, their music will soon be more "musical".
I think most, if not everyone, at this board believes that the percussion on some of the DT songs is overplayed............a few to the point of "because I can"............and in some cases it actually detracts (or distracts) from the aggregate presentation.

I'm wondering if Portnoy's politics within DT was also overplayed.

My biggest problem with Portnoy wasn't his drumming but the way the drums were mixed into the CDs. Portnoy and Petrucci mixed the CDs and, as a result, drums and guitar were at the forefront while the bass and keyboards suffered. It'll be interesting to see whether this mix changes on their next release.

When I first heard that Portnoy was leaving the band I was shocked and upset. I'm still somewhat shocked, but no longer upset. Now I'm just very curious to see where the band goes from here.

[MasterCylinder]

When I first heard that Portnoy was leaving the band I was shocked and upset. I'm still somewhat shocked, but no longer upset. Now I'm just very curious to see where the band goes from here.

Got any insight to who those seven candidates might be ?
Terry Bozzio......Gavin Harrison......Simon Phillips......Chris Maitland......Rod Morganstern......Dave Weckl......Vinnie Colauita......just to think of a few.

[ForeverAutumn]

There was an interview with LaBrie where he made the comment about auditioning the seven but he didn't state any names.

Just in coversations between Hubby and I, Bozzio and Harrison were both mentioned right away. I've seen other people mention Weckl and Maitland, among others. But its all just speculation.

[MasterCylinder]

There was an interview with LaBrie where he made the comment about auditioning the seven but he didn't state any names.

Just in coversations between Hubby and I, Bozzio and Harrison were both mentioned right away. I've seen other people mention Weckl and Maitland, among others. But its all just speculation.

I have a DVD of a TOTO concert with Simon Phillips at the drum set............technically solid, very musical, good imagination..........I like it.
Just from the standpoint of making the band more musical, I would prefer some of the names over others............Harrison would be excellent too, but he has a great gig with WIlson.

[ForeverAutumn]

Harrison would be excellent too, but he has a great gig with WIlson.

You think so? If you could play 2,000 seat concert halls or 10,000 seat amphitheatre's, which would you choose?

I've seen both PT and DT in concert several times. As much as I love PT they're little league IMO.

[MasterCylinder]

You think so? If you could play 2,000 seat concert halls or 10,000 seat amphitheatre's, which would you choose?

I've seen both PT and DT in concert several times. As much as I love PT they're little league IMO.

Funny you say that............both times I've seen DT, it was a small venue............the first was an outdoor ampitheater and they played SIX DEGREES before the intermission and TRAIN OF THOUGHT after............needless to say, it was a killer show.

Second time was a small venue in Chicago and they played alot of SCENES FROM A MEMORY, OCTAVARIUM and all of SYSTEMATIC CHAOS...........also cool.

[3LB]

I have a DVD of a TOTO concert with Simon Phillips at the drum set............technically solid, very musical, good imagination..........I like it.
Just from the standpoint of making the band more musical, I would prefer some of the names over others............Harrison would be excellent too, but he has a great gig with WIlson.

Chris Maitland sounds like a good choice. I can't imagine Harrison leaving PT. I guess it depends on whether they want a 'name' or not. DT, being the musical mimmicks that they are, another drummer might usher in a new sound. Maybe they'll do one of those stoner acid rock albums.