Portnoy leaves Dream Theater

[lerxstcat]

He made some big miscalculations and is obviously butthurt at how it turned out. IMO he left DT obviously hoping to go permanent with A7X and his story about needing a break was a ruse. Then A7X said he wouldn't be continuing with them and suddenly he wanted back in DT? What happened to that break he needed so badly?

He also deleted a thread on his board about James LaBrie doing a solo tour in Canada. His fans were giving him some tough love feedback on his forum and he baioled on the forum in response.
Now he's trying to badmouth DT by publicly stating that they rejected his attempt to rejoin.

He's just making himself look worse every time he posts. He should take that break he asked for, he has no commitments now and it's the perfect time. If he goes without slagging his former bandmates long enough for them to do an album and tour cycle with the new drummer, then IF that guy is not just gelling perfectly with them, Portnoy might get a shot to rejoin.

I'm sure he can find something to do, but if he goes balls out right into another project, he'll be proving that he was lying in the first place when he said he needed a break. Bite your tongue and take a break, Mike. Eat some humble pie and rest, and ask 'em again in a year.

[lerxstcat]

Oh, and yesterday Jordan Rudess said on Twitter, "karma's a bitch".

[RobRR]

Makes sense now, a week or two ago MP posted on Facebook something along the lines of "just goes to show you the only people you can really trust is your family"... Guess A7X said thanks for the help, now hit the road. Obviously his whole "break" thing was in hopes of joining A7X. In all honesty, I dont blame DT for not taking him back. Now the rest of the guys have a bit of freedom and they probably dont wanna give it up, considering theyve been under his rule for so long.

[levantin]

The cheating girlfriend who leaves you for another dude comes back in 2 months time begging you to take her back. That's the impression I'm getting from the whole situation. Ironic eh?

[lerxstcat]

Makes sense now, a week or two ago MP posted on Facebook something along the lines of "just goes to show you the only people you can really trust is your family"... Guess A7X said thanks for the help, now hit the road. Obviously his whole "break" thing was in hopes of joining A7X. In all honesty, I dont blame DT for not taking him back. Now the rest of the guys have a bit of freedom and they probably dont wanna give it up, considering theyve been under his rule for so long.

Rumor from folks in the A7X camp is that Portnoy was trying to throw his weight around in that band, and assumed they would jump on him if he decided to stay. Apparently they didn't say anything to him to indicate that they didn't want his leadership, but upped the drummer search.

You have to figure, from A7X's POV, if Portnoy would bail on his band of 25 years because they didn't kowtow to him, why wouldn't he leave A7X in the lurch as well? He's been at it for so long, but that still indicates some instability.

Then Portnoy gets fired by A7X and immediately tries to rejoin DT! What happened to that break he so sorely needed?

He should take a break and stop making statements. He's digging his own grave by crying like he's the victim, when he basically fucked his own band, then tried to crawl back. He should drop out of sight long enough for DT to do an album and tour with the new guy, and hope it doesn't work out. And keep his mouth shut in the meanwhile!

[Axewielder]

Wow what a soap opera. So does A7X have another drummer in mind? Or, are they going to go with a DR-670??

[lerxstcat]

Wow what a soap opera. So does A7X have another drummer in mind? Or, are they going to go with a DR-670??

They haven't named him yet, but they said they have picked a guy to go out with them in 2011. He won't be an actual member of the band until and unless they see how it goes.

[lerxstcat]

This is the A7X statement:

Posted Dec 17 2010
For the past few months, we've been blessed with Mike Portnoy's talent and humanity. When Mike agreed to tour with us, it was only through the end of 2010. We always knew we'd need to find another solution for 2011 and beyond. And it's time for us to take that next step.
We know we are not ready to add another permanent member of Avenged Sevenfold. We don't know if we will ever be. But if we do, it will only be with someone who is not only a brilliant drummer, but also someone we've gotten to know well on the road and off, and who you the fans have had a chance to get to know, and hopefully accept. In other words, in this family, we take these steps together, band and our extended fan family.
We are lucky to be surrounded by so many friends, many of whom knew Jimmy very well personally, as well as our band and Jimmy's drumming talent and style. These friends have introduced us to several amazing drummers. We have decided to take one of them out starting in January. He will not be a member of a7x. He will be someone you and we are getting to know. Perhaps this drummer will be a fit. Perhaps not. One thing is for sure. Over time we will find someone who helps us continue our quest to make the music we love for the fans we love.
Mike and the band agree that can't be him. Why? Long before there was an Avenged Sevenfold, there were members of this band who looked up to Mike and, in Jimmy's case, learned a lot from watching Mike play. He is a brilliant writer, producer and of course drummer. Because of that, the world and we would always see it as Avenged Sevenfold with Mike Portnoy. We take a lot of pride in A7X being about something greater then any individuals. Its about the music, the fans and the friends and family we have as well as continuing our best friends legacy.
Please give whoever we try your love and support....and the benefit of the doubt. They won't be Jimmy. Who could be? But he will be himself, with his own special talents and creativity. And that's all we could ever look for.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for everything you've done to love and support us.
A7X

[markD]

smart kids...

[DarkkWarriorr]

All I can say: Fascinating!
Mike is as we all know a great drummer, and a nice dude in general, but I must admit he's a little egoistic diva. I had this impression of him when I met him in person years ago while he was touring with G3 covering the drumming spot for Petrucci, however, I never thought in a million years to see him trashing himself before the public like that!...

Man, I wonder if he's having a Lars Ulrich syndrome these days!

[roodyrocker]

Man, I wonder if he's having a Lars Ulrich syndrome these days!

I love Dream Theater and Portnoy and wish it could be worked out so that he can return. Although I do see Dream Theater's side of it after what he did. But that quote above cracked me up "Lars Ulrich Syndrome"

[Endrik]

heh, looks like DT is doing Metallica style next top model reality crap or whatever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yljVzWLlNa0

I personally hoped they'd get Steven Adler, at least he would have made the bore-fest exciting.

Got the best (who are not Vinnie Colaiuta) tech players there though... Mangini, Minnemann, Lang and Donati. All much more technical than Portnoy. Mangini is the sickest though and I believe Lang and Donati have bunch of gigs and clinics coming anyway. A couple of metal guys auditioned too but I've seen them (Roddy and Wildoer) posting at drummerworld already.

[RacerX]

DT prepare to announce new drummer: http://www.musicradar.com/news/guita...drummer-426469

DT uses Facebook "Like gate" to tease fans: http://mashable.com/2011/04/21/dream-theater/

[jackson1]

"Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie has described the band's auditions for a new drummer as "phenomenal" and "surreal".

That sounds like they are auditioning.... Mike Portnoy

[joshulator]

What exactly is that Spirit Carries On promo for? Is that a DVD? The new album? Are they merely just promoting the announcement of their new drummer?