YtseJammers Israel

Hi Everyone,

It seems there is an misunderstanding. When I said I was not sad with Mike's departure, it unfortunately leaves plenty of room to misconstrue such words. No one can tell you or me how to think and feel. Initially with Mike's departure I was extremely upset, down and shocked. But one needs to deal and work through these emotions in order to arrive at a more positive and optimistic place. That is where I am now and was when the interview took place. Let me put it more plain and simple. Life does not afford us the luxury to wallow in our sorrow. You have to deal with the situation at hand and make it a productive and positive endeavor. In other words, onward and upward. Mike made it perfectly clear why he chose the current path. I would much rather his words be the definitive answer. In the end does it really matter what our views are, other than human curiosity it doesn't change a thing. I have said my peace and believe there is no room for misinterpretation. I will give no further weight to this subject, all has been said.

Sincerely,

James.

The new issue of Classic Rock presents Prog has a cover story and exclusive interviews with all of DT and MP.

Classic Rock / Prog Magazine has given us the green light to post MP's exclusive interview in the most recent issue here at MP.com.


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PROG:
Were you expecting the guys in the band to agree with you that Dream Theater needed an extended break?

MP:
Well, I knew my proposal would be met with some shock and hesitation...but I honestly hoped the guys would see my need for a break or a hiatus and respect it.

Its not the most insane request in the history of rock....MANY bands have done it, only to return bigger and stronger than before. Soundgarden, Rage Against The Machine, Janes Addiction, Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Megadeth, Phish, etc etc...even Rush, Genesis, Pink Floyd have all taken extended breaks in order to keep the band together....

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PROG:
Were you shocked and upset that they ultimately decided to go on without
you?

MP:
I'd be lying if I didn't say I am devistated they chose to continue without me rather than take a break. After me giving my heart & soul, blood, sweat & tears to them and the band for 25 years, I hoped they'd value me and our relationship enough to respect my need for us to take a little break. I am truly heartbroken over their decision.

I suppose it also kills me that in the past the guys NEVER would question or ever debate my direction within the band. They always let me call the shots and always trusted my vision and guidance. And NOW, with such a huge and personal conflict...they disagreed with me for the first time...on the biggest decision of them all.

DT is my baby and I NEVER wanted to abandon my child. I only felt the parents needed a little breather to help save the marriage.

The big irony here is that I wanted a break to help mend and strengthen our relations and ultimately bring us closer together....and now by them chosing to move on without me it is ultimately going to seriously damage our relationship....as well as the DT legacy I spent so long building and protecting.

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PROG:
Apart from wanting a break from the DT routine and the guys in the band,
was there any part of the music that you needed to escape from? (eg Were you
happy with the musical direction of the last two albums or had it become
stale for you? Had this become a "day job" and you were worried you might
just be going through the motions?)

MP:
Honestly, it had nothing to do with the music itself or the musical chemistry within the band. I was always very inspired when writing and recording together and am as proud of our last few albums as anything else in the catalog...

It really was more of the behind the scenes, personal relationships within the band.

Yes, on the surface it may seem that life was great and full steam ahead for DT...things like playing Download and Wembley, the recent Maiden tour in the US, top 10 entry on Billboard were all nice feathers in the cap...but beneath the surface, there was a lot of friction and burn-out.

I mean, we have one band member that would literally not even sit in the same room with the rest of us for years now and we'd only see him on stage or at meet and greets...and then other members just doing a lot of complaining about the day to day stuff...to me, these are obvious signs of wear and tear and a need for a break from each other in order to recharge the batteries and reignite the flame...

On the opposite hand, I would go out on tour with Transatlantic or Avenged Sevenfold and all of the band members are hanging out, eating meals together and enjoying each other's company. I think DT really needed a bit of a break to rejuvinate our relationships.

Of course, now in the wake of this split the 4 guys HAVE to pull together to keep the band together, so I'm sure they will surely look at these issues and change them. I'm just saddened that they wouldn't wait for me to do it.

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PROG:
Do you regret your decision?

MP:
Well, I absolutely HATE the outcome and the situation I was put into to have to make it. But I could not honestly return to the band to make an album in January without feeling resentment and being uncomfortable that I was forced into doing something I wasn't ready to do.

I have chosen the harder more challenging road rather than the safer, easier road. But my heart has never steered me wrong...I've always followed it and only done things that I knew would make me happy.

At the moment, I am very happy playing with Avenged Sevenfold...and I do not want to stop doing something I am happy doing to go do something I'm not very happy doing. I cannot do something with my life and career because I "have" to, I need to "want" to do it.

For 25 years now, I have made decisions for Dream Theater and our fans...for once in my life, I needed to make a decision for Mike Portnoy....