Mike Portnoy Leaves Dream Theater - Official Press Release

I just got done crying my eyes out... I can't help but feel a little resentful towards Mr. Portnoy right now. You don't wanna get burned out? Then how about trying not to perform a bloody juggling act by trying to be in 50 different bands at the same time??? Wouldn't that make sense?!

Does anyone else think if DT is actually considering to continue that they'll become a bar band? A huge fan base of DT's audience were big Mike Portnoy fans and if he's not in the band anymore I honestly see that happening them. A lot people just won't care anymore.

what

the fuck

this band is the reason i write music and listen to music... and its over?

i havent even read MPs post yet... better do that now

Dream Theater is more than just Mike Portnoy, but he's such an integral part of the Dream Theater machine that it's hard to imagine what the band will be like without him.  As has been said before, Dream Theater may get out another album and a tour and then disband, much like when Phil Collins left Genesis.  I hope this isn't the case, I really do, but I fear that it might be.

In end, Mike, you did what you thought was right and you made a decision that was very difficult.  I'll still follow all your projects, of course, and wish you all the best.

Goodbye, Dream Theater. 

Wow, I really hope that this can be reconciled in the future. I am very upset and disappointed at this decision. Dream Theater has been a huge part of my life for the past 18 years and always looked to their music to stay sane. Not caring about the record companies and mainstream acceptance has always drawn me to DT. 

I am really going to miss you Mike and what you brought to DT. If any I wish you the best in your career and try and continue to make your music matter. Don't let the main stream taint your talent. You will always be welcomed back to DT by the true fans.
P.S. I felt like you just died and I can't come to grips with it. Take care. R.I.P \M/

Insanity.

Portnoy is an organ inside of the being that is Dream Theater. Not a removable one. Without Portnoy, this is not DT.

I never could believe that something like this would be possible, and for DT to..continue on?

Here's to hopes that the band reconsiders, and a break is all that will come of this...

this is way too sad, i'll never understand it...

I still can't believe this... holy shit

I can't believe it ... I'm speechless ...

As long as you are happy. 

Also, I really hope A7X hires you are a permanent member of their band. You deserve it. 

what the fuck just happened?

wow... :(  I never felt so sad for a band.. that i truly LOVE .. all the best for you mike. and .. dang.. hope to see DT soon.. 

is april's fools the same there in the US as it is here in Brazil?

No way...

This isn't happening.

Just come back to Dream Theater eventually.

I'm completely in shock, almost in tears... I cant believe all this happen and I still need to process all this, too much information way to fast... All the best Mike and thanks for all this years of amazing and incredible music and live performances. You rock Mike and we are going to be here for you forever!

To Mike:

After hearing this heart shattering news I feel I must write this. Just in case you didn't actually have amnesia, and think September 8th is actually April 1st.


Dream Theater has been my favorite band since I first heard As I Am, 5 minutes after buying Train Of Thought in my mom's CD player in her car. The day I truly discovered Prog.

Since that day, my eyes and ears have been discovered to Prog, making me a better person physically emotionally and making a better drummer because of you. That will never stop.

The day I meet you in Ellis Drum Shop in Minneapolis, MN; getting 3 pictures with you and getting my MP signature snare signed will forever be one of, if not the greatest day of my drumming life.

No matter what project you have been a part of, rather it be Dream Theater, OSi, LTE, Transtalantic, John Arch, A7X, any 5 of the cover bands, any any fill in shows you have done. I've been there. And no matter what you do in the future, I will be there to buy the album the day it's released. But at the same time. I gotta say that JP, JR, JLB, & JM are 4 of my other favorite musicians of all time (along with Zappa, Devin Townsend, etc) I will still be a Dt for life, that will never change, but first and foremost, I am a Mike Portnoy fan.

Thanks you for the 25 years you have dedicated to DT and may your career continue to get bigger and bigger, there isn't a drummer out there that deserves it more then you! Maybe one day I will get to meet you again or hell, maybe I'll even be able to open for you some day. One can always dream

From your biggest Clear Lake, Wisconsin fan,

Josh Rundquist

This sucks, but I can see it being a good thing in the long run, maybe after a couple of years he'll follow his heart and come back to dream theater (for we move in circles right?) and it'll be all fresh and new and exciting for him again! I'd rather his heart not be in it and he leaves as opposed to doing something which he feels is weighing him down! I wish him all the best! Whether it be with A7X or perhaps any new future projects!

To cast aside this tragedy, I think for the next album (if there is to be one next year still) Gavin Harrison might well be a candidate to guest drum or something as his time schedule will be empty due to no PT action...? Some food for thought to try and take my mind of this shock!

I honestly don't know what to say...
I don't ever recall being this when reading news about my favorite bands.

Mike, we'll always be with you, no matter what band you're playing with.

But still... holy crap, I can't believe this.

Luckly I was able to see you guys live 4 times.

Keep on rocking forever!

:( :( :(

prog shredder


I just got done crying my eyes out... I can't help but feel a little resentful towards Mr. Portnoy right now. You don't wanna get burned out? Then how about trying not to perform a bloody juggling act by trying to be in 50 different bands at the same time??? Wouldn't that make sense?!

I sort of agree, but I'm not resentful. You do what you gotta do. If you'd rather play with other bands then ok. But your logic makes sense to me. When MP is out touring with other bands right now what are the other guys in DT doing? I'm assuming nothing. Of course they're ready to start back recording/touring.

I'm almost...speechless.

I guess that was bound to happen though.  Most of the other band members only have Dream Theater to go on, while Mike Portnoy always had and still does a thousand side projects.

do what you gotta do mike.

I am beyond words right now, but I'll give this a shot.



NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


:....(

Mike, I love you as a Band Leader first, DT drummer second and a drummer full stop third. This move can only remove you further from those first two roles. I understand what you have given to us all as fans has left you completely drained. Me and my memories of various meetings and DT gigs thank you so much. So so much. x

I refuse to believe this! I've never been this upset about anything in my entire life!

Hats off to you Mike for being true and honest with yourself. You got to do what you got to do. I look forward to hearing what ever project and band you put out...Been here since 1998 on and off and even enjoyed working with Dream Theater and LTE here in the Bay Area.. True fans do not go anywhere but will continue to support...Wishing you all the best

Bear

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

damn I was shaking reading this... this sucks so much!   I respect your decision though, and thanks so much for the music, Dream Theater has been so inspiring to me, and they will always be my favorite band. 

What will the band do now without MP?  I really hope they continue to make music and tour, but to find someone who can play even nearly as awesome as Mike...just...NOOOOOOOOO :( 

Keep rockin!  It's a good thing I also love A7X :)

Wow!  Just.....wow.

With all due respect to the rest of the guys, Dream Theater is over.  Without Mike, or JP, or JMX, it's not Dream Theater.

Best of luck, big guy.  Looking forward to what you have in store.

Come on!! Just write something like I&W, Lines on the sand, Trial of Tears.. 6DOIT, Octavarium, The Count Of Tuscany..

DT was exhausted with new label, sound like disco heavy emo metal band.. so sad..

Mike, don't go like many ot music idol idiots. Just play music, good music. Take a breath and play something spiritual, something like the good DT music with DT guys. If you leave, I will hate you. Please, don't destroy my world. DT world. Don't. Mike, Avenged Sevenfold was a big shit mistake really.. Don't be a fool. Be our DT men, the man to be proud with you..

OMG, I never thought I would read that in a LIFETIME!  Wow!

Dear Mike,

Thank you for ALL the years and blood you shed for all of us.  I know this was a TOUGH decision to make, as close to a divorce as can be.  I wish only the best for you and your family.  One door closes, another opens. 

See you in your future endeavors.
Karen

I am still in shock

This is fucking bullshit. There I said it. Seriously, what the fuck?

I thought DT was MP.....I am shocked. However, I will continue to support MP and DT, no hard feelings here.

I'm very much interested in hearing what the rest of the band has to say about this, especially John Petrucci.

I agree you should always do what is best for yourself on a personal level but this is insane. I can't comprehend how someone could do something like this to so many people. Shame on the other guys for not being willing to take a break. There are some people who's whole life is Dream Theater and cannot get through the day with out your guys music, people who follow your every word, think about that. 

No. Just no.

I can't believe this.

I do wish you all the best Mike, but didn't expect this!

*shock*

Not being a fan of ANY of the side projects beside LTE, this is devastating for me. You guys have  a chemistry that is undeniable. Something NO OTHER band has.

F U C K I N G    L A M E

I forgot to include this in my first post.

WHAT THE FUCK