Mike Portnoy's Sister Speaks On Portnoy's Departure From Dream Theater
Band Photo: Dream Theater (?)
The following statement was posted here on the official Mike Portnoy forum and website discussing Mike Portnoy's recent departure from Dream Theater, the band he founded.
The statement reads as follows:
"Before I write this, understand that this is MY statement. Mike might kill me for speaking up, but I just can't sit by quietly. I guess I'm like Mike in that way. PLEASE stop reading between the lines with this whole situation. There is no hidden meaning in all of this (is there ever with Mike? The guy is an open book with his fans!!). Everything Mike said in his interview with Eddie Trunk, in his press release or otherwise is everything he has been saying to me for the past year, at least. He LOVES the other (DT) guys and their families. They have grown up together, married women that were (and are) best friends, have raised their kids as best friends. They are family. This was not an easy decision for him as a drummer, founding band member (and band leader) or person.
"Let's put 25 years into perspective. I am 40. I met John and John when I was 15. How many friends do I still have that I have had to live AND work with for the past 25 years? Not a single one. I can't imagine looking at the same group of people for that many years and being able to come up with new, fun ideas (that will then be judged the world over). My friends and I get stuck on doing the same things on random weekend gatherings! Remember, this is strictly my perspective here...
"You'd think that being a rock star would be 100% fun 100% of the time. But I know that Mike works extremely hard and takes every bit of this experience to heart. You might think you know, but you have no idea (to borrow a line from Behind the Music). It is a part of who he is as a person, it is definitely not just a job. He's been running at a pace (WITH DREAM THEATER) most people couldn't keep up for a few months, much less 25 years. He just wants a break. He wants to have the chance to play with other musicians and be reminded of how special this all is. He wants to have fun and not be in charge of every detail for a bit. (And for those of you thinking he should just let others take the reins in DT, all I'll say is that you have no idea what you are talking about.) The way I see it, it's not a matter of Mike not wanting to be in DT (Remember, he DOES want to be in DT... he NEVER wanted or planned to leave the band). Giving up Dream Theater must be like giving up a child for him. I know it's been horribly painful. But I am extremely proud of him for recognizing that he needs to be reinvigorated and for doing what he needs to do to make that happen. You know Mike. He does not do anything half-assed. He wants every drop of music that Dream Theater releases to be perfect and fulfilling for everyone. Right now, he is guaranteeing that he can't do that. Maybe (apparently) the other guys don't feel the same about this situation, I can't speak to that, but he knows that he needs a break to be able to bring the best of himself to the table. There is no alterier motive. He genuinely just needs a break. He needs a break that allows him to find new inspiration and have some down time. When he has done his other side projects, if you think he was not also working on DT stuff, you'd be incredibly mistaken. I guess I got a bit long-winded there... sorry, but it's torture to sit back and watch my brother getting ripped apart or criticized for making this incredibly INCREDIBLY hard choice. And for those of you who are supporting/understanding of his decision, I want you to know HOW MUCH it is appreciated."
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23 Comments on "Mike Portnoy's Sister Talks Dream Theater Split"
2. writes:
AT FIRST I WAS BLOWN AWAY, THEN BUMMED, EVEN A BIT MAD. NO ONE KNOWS HOW MIKE REALLY FEELS ECCEPT HIM AND WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO FOR HIMSELF. THIS DOES SUCK HARD, THE THEATER MACHINE IS THE SICKEST ON THIS PLANET. IVE SEEN EVERYONE FROM ELTON JOHN TO PANTERA. THEATER IS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE MUSICAL FORCE IVE EVER WITNESSED AND PROBABLY EVER WILL! I CAN ONLY HOPE HE TAKES THE TIME NEEDED AND RETURNS. DREAM THEATER FAVORITE BAND NOW AND I SUSPECT FOREVER. MIKE IF YOUR READING THIS, IM PRETTY SURE I KNOW ALL YOUR REASONS BUT DO THE PLANET A FAVOR, TAKE A WELL DESERVED BREAK . THEN RETURN TO THEATER SWINGIN!!!! IVE BEEN WITH UPS FOR 22 YEARS AND IM TAKING A MANDITORY BREAK. I GET IT, BUT YOUVE MADE A TRAMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE WORLD WITH DREAM THEATER. DONT STAY AWAY FOR GOOD MAN. THE PROGRSSIVE WORLD LOVES YOU AND YOUR BABY . DONT EVER FORGET THAT.
3. writes:
I WRITE THIS ON BEHALF OF A GREAT FRIEND AND THEATER HEAD. THIS DECISSION IS ACTUALLY VERY SAD. WHEN I SAY SAD I MEAN TEARS SAD, IVE BEEN TO MANY MANY THEATER SHOWS AND A sh** LOAD OF OTHER CONCERTS IN MY LIFE. WHEN I SAW TEARS OF ABSOLUTE JOY ON MY BUDDIES FACE IN THE FRONT ROW AT JONES BEACH OR RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL I KNEW DREAM THEATER HAD TRULY MADE AN IMPACT ON THE MUSICAL WORLD. NO ONE DOES IT LIKE THEATER!!!! AGAIN TAKE A BREAK MIKE. LORD KNOWS YOU NEED IT. BUT PLEASE, PLEASE RETURN. ALSO A7X DOESNT HOLD A CANDLE TO THEATER. MIKE HAS DEMOTED HIMSELF AS A WRITER AND MUSICIAN. PERHAPS ITS A MID LIFE CRISIS. I SAY TAKE A HIT OF ATTIVAN AND CALL BACK PATRUCCI.
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10. writes:
He'll be back in DT before too long. 25 years is a long time. I dont stay in the same job for more than 2 years without getting board. So some time off might be just what DT needs (or time off from Mike P).
Im betting he'l be back with the band within 2 years playing better than ever!
11. writes:
Gonna be honest here I'velistened to every dt album and I find them extremely overrated. As musicians I can respect them but as a band no. And as for ppl saying he ll go back I myself playing withalot of larger bands you get all the gossip on other bands. One thing ive always heard is that the dt guys are very arrogant and full of themselves. I highly doubt they'd let mike back just out of pride.
12. writes:
I caught dream theater in wisconsin on one of the coldest f***ing nights of my life and was instantly mesmerised.I have also seen them in phoenix a handful of times.what people dont seem to realize is that muscians sometimes get pigeon holed into what others perceive them to be. For whatever reason Portnoy left it was up to him.Nobody wants to do the same thing forever so lightin up frances.
13. writes:
It seems to me that Mike needs to point the finger in his own direction. This doesn't seem kosher. He does all of these side projects (which he has the right) and still deals with DT items (sounds like an OCD sufferer) but when the main band, the one that has gotten him the fame he deserves, says "hey dude" time to tour, he wants to beg off. If you work three part time jobs and can't show up to your regular job, it would be bs to go to your regular boss and say I need some time off cuz I am working three other jobs? If I were the other DT guys, you can be damn sure I would be p***ed off. I think there is way more to this-I think this is probably due to the fact that the last two DT albums (and its hard for me to say this) were just NOT good. This is where Mike has the stronger argument. I think this is a band that needs to take some serious time off and rethink its direction. The songs are becoming way too complex and repetitive.
I saw DT on the last tour in San Jose CA and James seemed like he was on stage 20 minutes or so out of the two hours in the show. John M. is a great bass player, but there is really no songwriting credits and Jordan at times seems to be in the ether as well. John wrote most of the songs on the last two albums and the band, in my opinion, is simply drifting and has run out of ideas. A good long break, say two years, would be of some value.
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15. writes:
To Mike's sister. Good for you for setting the record straight and if anyone has followed Mike for years and Dream Theater for years, they already knew all that but your words helped. Good luck to Mike and DT - and I bet they will cross musical paths again, and soon.
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22. writes:
Emotional.......riveting..........BUT WHAT DOES HIS COUSIN THINK?
Stay tuned for next week when we can hear comments from Portnoy's high school band teacher, followed by his youth soccer coach and the guy who used to drive the ice cream truck thru Portnoy's childhood neighborhood
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1. Huge Mike writes:
Sad, but true..... at least he will continue making great music.