Official Dream Theater Thread

[Segue Myles]

The Astonishing is a 6/10.

 

I don't love it, I don't hate it.

 

I think it's a good rating!

[bluefox4000]

I understand the lukewarm reception for it. But my broadway sensibilities love it to death.

 

i saw the who's tommy on broadway in 93. I alays thought the story to that was ridiculous too. but i loved it on stage. didn't run long. but Rock operas on b'way NEVER do.

 

so no TA wouldn't run long. but i could just see it on stage.

 

besides......the music is becoming some of my fav they ever wrote.

 

9/10 from me.

 

Mick

[Segue Myles]

My Broadway and musical sensibilities tell me this is average at best as a musical.

[bluefox4000]

and Segue we go........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IhdXLtBM2w

my point being NO rock opera Anywhere get's a good run in NY

 

Mick

Edited February 9, 2016 by bluefox4000

[Segue Myles]

and Segue we go........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IhdXLtBM2w

my point being NO rock opera Anywhere get's a good run in NY

 

Mick

 

I will give TA praise where appropriate:

 

I love the lushness of the arrangements. Melodically, I don't really find much to enjoy, but I do like the sound. It has a sweeping feel of a good soundtrack. I am not saying I love it, but for what they have achieved, it is really attractive.

[Tony R]

Mike Portnoy says he’d “welcome” a Dream Theater return if the opportunity ever arose.

 

The drummer quit the band in 2010, leading to a public war of words, and an attempt to rejoin, and was eventually replaced by Mike Mangini.

He’s gone on to appear in several projects since the split, including Flying Colors, Metal Allegiance, and his band The Winery Dogs. But he says he’d be open to some sort of reconciliation in the future.

He tells Gigs And Festivals: “ Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci, we’ve stayed in touch. I’ve never closed the door on doing something with them.

“It’s not like I’m waiting for it – it’s not like I’m planning it, it’s not like it’s in my career plan, but certainly if the invitation, or if the opportunity arose, I would surely welcome it.

“It’s just because I don’t hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past. That was 25 years of my life.”

Portnoy says he’ll spend the majority of 2016 with The Winery Dogs, but will also continue with his Twisted Sister touring commitments, Metal Allegiance project and make another record with the Neal Morse Band.

He adds: “You never know what’s around the corner, and if I can squeeze things in – I’m a workaholic so you never know what might pop up.”

The Winery Dogs are currently on tour supporting latest album Hot Streak, with their next show scheduled for tonight (February 10) in Barcelona.

[Rod in Toronto]

Mike Portnoy says he’d “welcome” a Dream Theater return if the opportunity ever arose.

 

The drummer quit the band in 2010, leading to a public war of words, and an attempt to rejoin, and was eventually replaced by Mike Mangini.

He’s gone on to appear in several projects since the split, including Flying Colors, Metal Allegiance, and his band The Winery Dogs. But he says he’d be open to some sort of reconciliation in the future.

He tells Gigs And Festivals: “ Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci, we’ve stayed in touch. I’ve never closed the door on doing something with them.

“It’s not like I’m waiting for it – it’s not like I’m planning it, it’s not like it’s in my career plan, but certainly if the invitation, or if the opportunity arose, I would surely welcome it.

“It’s just because I don’t hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past. That was 25 years of my life.”

Portnoy says he’ll spend the majority of 2016 with The Winery Dogs, but will also continue with his Twisted Sister touring commitments, Metal Allegiance project and make another record with the Neal Morse Band.

He adds: “You never know what’s around the corner, and if I can squeeze things in – I’m a workaholic so you never know what might pop up.”

The Winery Dogs are currently on tour supporting latest album Hot Streak, with their next show scheduled for tonight (February 10) in Barcelona.

 

Blabbermouth being Blabbermouth. Mike took the high road this time, didn't he?

[Tony R]

 

Mike Portnoy says he’d “welcome” a Dream Theater return if the opportunity ever arose.

 

The drummer quit the band in 2010, leading to a public war of words, and an attempt to rejoin, and was eventually replaced by Mike Mangini.

He’s gone on to appear in several projects since the split, including Flying Colors, Metal Allegiance, and his band The Winery Dogs. But he says he’d be open to some sort of reconciliation in the future.

He tells Gigs And Festivals: “ Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci, we’ve stayed in touch. I’ve never closed the door on doing something with them.

“It’s not like I’m waiting for it – it’s not like I’m planning it, it’s not like it’s in my career plan, but certainly if the invitation, or if the opportunity arose, I would surely welcome it.

“It’s just because I don’t hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past. That was 25 years of my life.”

Portnoy says he’ll spend the majority of 2016 with The Winery Dogs, but will also continue with his Twisted Sister touring commitments, Metal Allegiance project and make another record with the Neal Morse Band.

He adds: “You never know what’s around the corner, and if I can squeeze things in – I’m a workaholic so you never know what might pop up.”

The Winery Dogs are currently on tour supporting latest album Hot Streak, with their next show scheduled for tonight (February 10) in Barcelona.

 

Blabbermouth being Blabbermouth. Mike took the high road this time, didn't he?

 

It’s just because I don’t hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past

 

:laughing guy:

[bluefox4000]

Portnoy being Portnoy. who Flipped out over a fan wearing a Dramatic turn of Events shirt :laughing guy:

 

Mick

[tangy]

Mike Portnoy says he’d “welcome” a Dream Theater return if the opportunity ever arose.

 

The drummer quit the band in 2010, leading to a public war of words, and an attempt to rejoin, and was eventually replaced by Mike Mangini.

He’s gone on to appear in several projects since the split, including Flying Colors, Metal Allegiance, and his band The Winery Dogs. But he says he’d be open to some sort of reconciliation in the future.

He tells Gigs And Festivals: “ Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci, we’ve stayed in touch. I’ve never closed the door on doing something with them.

“It’s not like I’m waiting for it – it’s not like I’m planning it, it’s not like it’s in my career plan, but certainly if the invitation, or if the opportunity arose, I would surely welcome it.

“It’s just because I don’t hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past. That was 25 years of my life.”

Portnoy says he’ll spend the majority of 2016 with The Winery Dogs, but will also continue with his Twisted Sister touring commitments, Metal Allegiance project and make another record with the Neal Morse Band.

He adds: “You never know what’s around the corner, and if I can squeeze things in – I’m a workaholic so you never know what might pop up.”

The Winery Dogs are currently on tour supporting latest album Hot Streak, with their next show scheduled for tonight (February 10) in Barcelona.

 

It makes more sense if you look at the article.

 

In a brand new interview with GigsAndFestivals.com, ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy was asked if the recent passing of British art-rock icon David Bowie has made him think that perhaps he would like to one day play with his former bandmates again.

 

"Look, I'm a very sentimental guy, I'm a very nostalgic guy," he responded. "I was the guy in DREAM THEATER that opened up the door to [former keyboard player] Derek Sherinian and [original vocalist] Charlie Dominici to come back and join us on stage [at a concert in Los Angeles in 2004]. I also extended that invite to [keyboardist] Kevin Moore, so I've always been that type of person. I look at my past with a fond memory, and I probably shouldn't even say this — I'm not trying to publicly state this — but around Christmas time I sent all the guys in DREAM THEATER a nice e-mail, just reaching out to say how much I love and miss them, because that's just the way I am."

 

He continued: "Jordan [Rudess, keyboards] and John Petrucci [guitar], we've stayed in touch, so in answer to your question, I've never closed the door on doing something with them. It's not like I'm waiting for it; it's not like I'm planning it, it's not like it's in my career plan, but certainly if the invitation, or if the opportunity arose, I would surely welcome it. It's just because, you know, I don't hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past. That was twenty-five years of my life."

 

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than thirty years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI). Portnoy later revealed that he tried to rejoin DREAM THEATER, only to be rebuffed.

 

Asked in a 2015 interview with Loudwire if it's true that he quit DREAM THEATER due to the fact that he wanted a five-year break from the band but the other guys in the group disagreed, Portnoy said: "Well, I mean, obviously, the fact that I left the band is a fact. But the five-year break thing is fiction. That's a… What is it called? Not a rumor… a myth… urban legend. The five-year thing is an urban legend. I never said five years. I just wanted to have a hiatus. Just 'cause we had been going 25 years — boom! boom! boom! — with no break. Write-record-tour, write-record-tour, and it was burning me out. It didn't mean I wanted to stop making music. One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left DREAM THEATER, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone was, like, 'We thought you wanted a break.' And it was, like, well, I didn't want a break from making music; I just needed a break from the DREAM THEATER camp. It was 25 years without a break in that camp, and I was just fried. I needed other people and other musical outlets in my life. But the five-year hiatus, I think… I had suggested hiatus of any length, it somehow got misinterpreted as a five-year… which, coincidentally, would have been now. So it would have been up by now, actually — if it was a five-year hiatus."

 

Portnoy was also asked whether it's true that he offered to return to DREAM THEATER shortly after quitting the band, but that his offer was rebuffed via DREAM THEATER's lawyer. He responded: "I'll just say that there was… Once I left, there was a tremendous amount of legalities and technicalities, so I'll just say that I was doing whatever it would take to keep peace and keep things going smooth. And at that point, they were just only speaking through their lawyer. But it's a 25-year relationship coming to an end, so, obviously, it goes very, very deep, not only personally and emotionally, but also legally, and all the red tape that's involved with something like that. So it was a tough time, a tough period, and, luckily, we all got through it. But, yeah, I don't wish that kind of stuff on anybody in a band. It's tough."

 

 

Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mike-portnoy-would-surely-welcome-opportunity-to-play-with-dream-theater-again/#ziMph2r1t0SBIMj7.99

[Jaminbenb]

I think the "separation" was just a greedy thing from the rest of the band's point of view...but that said...Portnoy was spreading himself a bit TOO thin!

 

I remember when it all happened, and they sort of alienated him, and he was forced to walk away..then all the internet press of their search for a new drummer... talk about lame drama! The guy wanted like six months off ferkrissake!

 

Anyway....just heard from a friend of mine that we have tickets to see them at the Tower Theater towards the end of April...so there's a first!

Edited February 11, 2016 by Jaminbenb

[The Analog Cub]

Portnoy is an awesome musician, but damn he's got one of the worst PR filters.

[J2112YYZ]

Bottom line with all this Portnoy shit is that he wanted to take a hiatus from the band but the rest of the band didn't want to. So they went their separate ways. That's really all there is to it.

 

I don't see Portnoy coming back any time soon. Dream Theater is doing fine without him. They would really have to start tanking financially for them to bring him back for the big reunion cash grab. They are still playing them same size venues they did with Portnoy and they still get top billing at the summer festivals in Europe. Unless they really miss playing with him, they've got no reason to bring him back in the near future.

[bluefox4000]

I do not see portnoy ever coming back full time. One off show years down the line......maybe.

 

Mangini is the drummer now.

 

Mick

[Todem]

I would fully welcome Mike P back into the band.

 

Managing is a great drummer. No question. But the magic and chemistry of Mike P and Mike P is undeniable. And sonically I think Mangini is far inferior to Mike P.

 

I can;t stand his drum sound in the studio. It sounds awful to be frank. That snare is just garbage compared to Mike Portnoy's sonic approach in the studio.

 

And over give me Portnoy's ferocity and creative juice. The band IMO has not been the same without him. Yes the last record (before TA) was awesome. I love it. But I would love Mike P back with them again in the future.

[RUSHHEAD666]

I would fully welcome Mike P back into the band.

 

Managing is a great drummer. No question. But the magic and chemistry of Mike P and Mike P is undeniable. And sonically I think Mangini is far inferior to Mike P.

 

I can;t stand his drum sound in the studio. It sounds awful to be frank. That snare is just garbage compared to Mike Portnoy's sonic approach in the studio.

 

And over give me Portnoy's ferocity and creative juice. The band IMO has not been the same without him. Yes the last record (before TA) was awesome. I love it. But I would love Mike P back with them again in the future.

 

But Portnoy's snare sound on "Images And Words" is complete garbage. I would rather listen to a thousand machine guns going off at once that that shite.

[RUSHHEAD666]

Portnoy being Portnoy. who Flipped out over a fan wearing a Dramatic turn of Events shirt :laughing guy:

 

Mick

 

Forget about Dream Theater. "Captain Fantastic" is a masterpiece.

[Rod in Toronto]

I would fully welcome Mike P back into the band.

 

Managing is a great drummer. No question. But the magic and chemistry of Mike P and Mike P is undeniable. And sonically I think Mangini is far inferior to Mike P.

 

I can;t stand his drum sound in the studio. It sounds awful to be frank. That snare is just garbage compared to Mike Portnoy's sonic approach in the studio.

 

And over give me Portnoy's ferocity and creative juice. The band IMO has not been the same without him. Yes the last record (before TA) was awesome. I love it. But I would love Mike P back with them again in the future.

 

But Portnoy's snare sound on "Images And Words" is complete garbage. I would rather listen to a thousand machine guns going off at once that that shite.

 

Yes, and he gave the producer hell because of how the drums sound on I&W. And hey, that was 24 years ago, dude. Mankini's (not a typo) horrid drum sound is a choice, not an accident!

[Rod in Toronto]

I would fully welcome Mike P back into the band.

 

Managing is a great drummer. No question. But the magic and chemistry of Mike P and Mike P is undeniable. And sonically I think Mangini is far inferior to Mike P.

 

I can;t stand his drum sound in the studio. It sounds awful to be frank. That snare is just garbage compared to Mike Portnoy's sonic approach in the studio.

 

And over give me Portnoy's ferocity and creative juice. The band IMO has not been the same without him. Yes the last record (before TA) was awesome. I love it. But I would love Mike P back with them again in the future.

 

But Portnoy's snare sound on "Images And Words" is complete garbage. I would rather listen to a thousand machine guns going off at once that that shite.

 

Yes, and he gave the producer hell because of how the drums sound on I&W. And hey, that was 24 years ago, dude. Mankini's (not a typo) horrid drum sound is a choice, not an accident!

[RUSHHEAD666]

I would fully welcome Mike P back into the band.

 

Managing is a great drummer. No question. But the magic and chemistry of Mike P and Mike P is undeniable. And sonically I think Mangini is far inferior to Mike P.

 

I can;t stand his drum sound in the studio. It sounds awful to be frank. That snare is just garbage compared to Mike Portnoy's sonic approach in the studio.

 

And over give me Portnoy's ferocity and creative juice. The band IMO has not been the same without him. Yes the last record (before TA) was awesome. I love it. But I would love Mike P back with them again in the future.

 

But Portnoy's snare sound on "Images And Words" is complete garbage. I would rather listen to a thousand machine guns going off at once that that shite.

 

Yes, and he gave the producer hell because of how the drums sound on I&W. And hey, that was 24 years ago, dude. Mankini's (not a typo) horrid drum sound is a choice, not an accident!

Hahaha! Well ok! I respect your total honesty. I didn't know Mike was pissed about it. I thought it was Mike's choice of sound since Dream Theater was his baby. Now a bastard child.

 

Mangina should be ashamed then.

 

His drumming is so "I Robot."

 

Signed,

 

Alan Parsons Project

[Rod in Toronto]

Google Mike Portnoy + David Prater, Earl. The triggered snares were David's idea.

[RUSHHEAD666]

Google Mike Portnoy + David Prater, Earl. The triggered snares were David's idea.

 

Wow!!! Thank you Rod for the info. David Prater should have been fired. Why the heck did Mike for that triggered shit? "Images" is still one of the greatest albums on the planet. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.

 

Could you imagine if "Images" had a natural sounding snare? UGH!

[Rod in Toronto]

No worries Earl. I think David managed to alienate all members of DT after working with them on the album. He had issues with Kevin Moore too.

[Jaminbenb]

Google Mike Portnoy + David Prater, Earl. The triggered snares were David's idea.

 

Wow!!! Thank you Rod for the info. David Prater should have been fired. Why the heck did Mike for that triggered shit? "Images" is still one of the greatest albums on the planet. I may be crazy but I'm not stupid.

 

Could you imagine if "Images" had a natural sounding snare? UGH!

 

Yeah, I remember reading some articles way way back when Mike was annoyed at his drum sound on that... I always wished that they would have put out a remix of that album with a real drum sound! (on their official bootleg series releases)

 

The fact that they used that damn snare sound on this new album just makes some good songs sound cruddy! Hoping when I see them, that the snare sound is "normal"....

[J2112YYZ]

I'm glad I can't tell what the hell the snare drum sounds like on anything. So, these problems don't bother me.