Mike Portnoy quits Dream Theater

[XeRocks81]

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

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

 :shock:  

Seems unreal right about now...

[EVP]

Wow I just read this on a completely different kind of music forum. And now I'm seeing it everywhere.

If this is true, it's a complete shock.

[Gandalf1986]

You know what, I think he's done a good thing. DT was sucking too much blood from him and I think that changing members has always meant new blood to the new songs of DT. I wish all the best to him and I'm quite curious to see what DT will be up to without Mike.

[keithd]

I'm a big fan of Mike Portnoy, but not Dream Theater, so I can't say I'm disappointed at the news. Maybe there'll be more Transatlantic stuff now that's he got more time on his hands.

[RWA]

I think it sucks the other guys didn't give him the much needed break. That's the most shocking part of all this. I mean it's "his" band isn't it? It speaks for him to leave the band and let them continue. He might as well have pulled the plug on DT all together. That would make sense to me.

Anyway, good for him I guess. DT has been on autopilot for to many years anyway. Great shows and I love the band but the last 2 albums were rather boring IMHO. But that's just me. That being said; some of their work is among the best in prog-metal and is classic material.

I wish him all the best. He's one of the hardest working people in prog/metal land and a change every now and then is good! I for one wouldn't mind a few more Translatlantic albums!  

[MikeEvs]

I'm a big fan of Mike Portnoy, but not Dream Theater, so I can't say I'm disappointed at the news. Maybe there'll be more Transatlantic stuff now that's he got more time on his hands.

Mike is busy touring with Avenged Sevenfold at the moment so don't hold your breath waiting for more Transatlantic

[RWA]

I'm a big fan of Mike Portnoy, but not Dream Theater, so I can't say I'm disappointed at the news. Maybe there'll be more Transatlantic stuff now that's he got more time on his hands.

Mike is busy touring with Avenged Sevenfold at the moment so don't hold your breath waiting for more Transatlantic

Stepping back from DT gives the man a sea of time and possibilities! Just a few weeks back I finished his "In Constant Motion" DVD box. Since when is Mike doing "just" one thing at a time?!  

[Brom]

Pah! He's "only" the drummer!

[owen]

Good luck getting a replacement of his quality. They wouldn't try stealing Blunders would they :?:  :!:  

[Jem]

I can kinda see the band's point of view though, his lack of rest is of his own doing really. If you want to take a break, try not being in so many bands.

That said, a guy's gotta make a living.

Are any of the other members of DT in side projects? If not, I can see why they'd be a bit pissed off as they're already rested up and raring to go when Mikey gets back from "the office" all shagged out from a long squawk, so to speak.  :lol:

That said, DT without Mike is like fish without chips, Peters without Lee, Champion The Wonder Horse without legs, etc...

I'll be fascinated to see what happens now, could it be their Gabriel leaves Genesis moment? Perhaps, they'll go all AOR on us.  :lol:  :lol:

[RWA]

Good luck getting a replacement of his quality.

And his personality and charisma! It's like Frost* without Jem; makes no sense, does it?!  :?

Come to think of it; it's like The Spice Girl without Sporty Spice! It CAN NOT be done!  :shock:  :shock:

[MikeEvs]

Are any of the other members of DT in side projects? If not, I can see why they'd be a bit pissed off as they're already rested up and raring to go when Mikey gets back from "the office" all shagged out from a long squawk, so to speak.  :lol:

James LaBrie's 4th solo album comes out later this month,  They've all had side project in the past but not to the extend that Mike has.

[Jem]

Are any of the other members of DT in side projects? If not, I can see why they'd be a bit pissed off as they're already rested up and raring to go when Mikey gets back from "the office" all shagged out from a long squawk, so to speak.  :lol:

James LaBrie's 4th solo album comes out later this month,  They've all had side project in the past but not to the extend that Mike has.

I see. I didn't know that. Well in that case, they're all meanies.  :lol:  :lol:

On the plus side, I bet the road crew are delighted, not having to lug his planet sized kit all over the world anymore.  :twisted:  :lol:  :lol:

[owen]

He can't have more side projects than Mr Mitchell, though :?:

[MikeEvs]

On the plus side, I bet the road crew are delighted, not having to lug his planet sized kit all over the world anymore.  :twisted:  :lol:  :lol:

I don't know if it's still the case but he used to keep a kit in the US one in the UK and one in Japan to save on the lugging around the world.