Is Portnoy misunderstood ?

[Rufus]

Portnoy: I’m so misunderstood
Posted on Monday, 15th July 2013 by Léon
Mike Portnoy thinks he might be one of most misunderstood musicians in the world – especially by those who believe he suffers from lack of commitment.

That’s an accusation levelled against him after he quit Dream Theater in 2010 and went on to work with Avenged Sevenfold, Adrenaline Mob, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, Bigelf, Portnoy Sheehan MacAlpine Sherinian and his latest project the Winery Dogs.

But the drummer says the appearance is deceptive. He tells IconVsIcon: “Misconceptions about me that are out there by the fans and non-fans as well. I think the biggest one is that I’m band-jumping or opportunity-jumping. That’s not the case.


“I don’t think you will find more dedication than I do for what I did for Dream Theater. I literally oversaw every single step, every minute of the day; I did that for 25 years. You won’t find a more committed artist than me.”

He admits he’s got around in terms of his career in past few years, but he argues: “I’m enjoying having this musical freedom right now. Every one of the bands and projects I am involved with are so different from each other. The Winery Dogs is one thing, Transatlantic is another, Adrenaline Mob is something else. I give all I can to each of them.”

Portnoy recently bowed out of Adrenaline Mob in order to concentrate on the Winery Dogs. He explains: “When you give 100% to five different things, inevitably there are going to be schedule clashes. That has been the only problem – trying to solve that and make it all work.”

He recently clarified another misconception surrounding his work by explaining the Winery Dogs has no connection with the project he and Billy Sheehan abandoned with ex-Thin Lizzy man John Sykes.

Portnoy said: “Myself and Billy were previously working with John on an entirely different project, consisting strictly of John’s material. When that didn’t pan out, Billy and I began working from scratch with Ritchie Kotzen, and that’s when the Winery Dogs were born. It’s important that people understand.”

[chalkpie]

No, he just smells funny.

[Rufus]

No, he just smells funny.

Disagree, I thought he just thought he had knobbly knees !

[Sordel]

"It’s important that people understand.”

It's clearly important to him that people understand, but I'm not sure how important it is to the people. There is such a thing as letting the music do the talking, and it does avoid the situation where one ends up describing oneself in print as "one of the most misunderstood musicians in the world".

I've got no problem with Portnoy spreading himself across multiple bands, and that's quite common in jazz, so it never occurred to me to form an opinion about whether it was a good or bad thing.

[Plasmatopia]

It keeps people talking about him, so maybe that's a good thing for him -- even if what folks are saying isn't always positive.

[trurl]

Maybe it matters to some people... I'm with Sordel, I'm just interested in the music. He can play with 20 bands and quit them all, or not, totally up to him.

[Roth-Handle Studios]

I think Mike Portnoy is the most misunderstood musician in the world.

Sorry... I just wanted see what it felt like writing it. Feels even weirder saying it out loud.

//Mattias

[Scott Bails]

Portnoy's biggest problem is that he reads and cares too much about how he's criticized. He's gotta learn to let this stuff roll off his back.

[NeonKnight]

I think he should write a book...

[ForeverAutumn]

In theory, I kind of envy him. If I did the same job for 25 years, it would be nice to have the freedom to then do what you want to do, when you want to do it. I'm waiting for my retirement (in 20 years or so) to have that freedom.

Do I think he's misunderstood? I'm with Sordel. I'm not sure that most people really care. Especially in the prog world where side projects are so commonplace. And even if it's true and he is afraid of making a long-term commitment after DT...so what? It's his life, his career, and he can do what he wants. I think Mike's biggest problem is his need to make himself the centre of attention. Just my own opinion.

[chalkpie]

Portnoy's biggest problem is that he reads and cares too much about how he's criticized. He's gotta learn to let this stuff roll off his back.

He tries....it just gets stuck with all of that hair on his back

[gpeccary]

There's no one more interested in Mike Portnoy than Mike portnoy, most misunderstood musician in the world, what ever dude.

The guy just irritates me on several levels, but none of those involve his commitment, or his dedication, or his abilities. I understand what hes saying about how he "controlled" DT, and I personally think it was to the bands detriment. He went out on his own, that took balls, and/or the rest of them deciding they weren't going to play along anymore. He's doing what he wants to do, good on him. I wish he'd just play the drums and shut the hell up.

[ThomasKDye]

Portnoy's biggest problem is that he reads and cares too much about how he's criticized. He's gotta learn to let this stuff roll off his back.

After writing the lyrics to "Never Enough," he probably should have stepped back and said, "Well, I got that out of my system, maybe I should write the REAL lyrics now."

[ScottAM]

It's not like Mike titled the article. It was just a comment that he made during the interview that he feels misunderstood, and the writer thought that would make the best inflammatory headline. Because tons of people love to polarize a situation and judge Portnoy. Now they'll have even more fuel to their fire (like several posts here already) saying, "Oh, he's such a crybaby." "Oh, he's so self-involved," etc...

For me, I've never been a bigger fan. He's playing in some of my favorite musical projects and killin' it. I've been getting his daily tweets and really appreciate the insight to his world. He's a decent human being, a ravenous fan of music, and an amazingly dedicated drummer and performer.

And he put it best in a recent tweet (I'm paraphrasing based on my memory), "Got no time to hate those who hate me, as I'm too busy loving those who love me." Focus on the love in life and living your life from that place, and leave the hate and inflammatory headlines to those who enjoy living their life that way...

[Scott Bails]

After writing the lyrics to "Never Enough," he probably should have stepped back and said, "Well, I got that out of my system, maybe I should write the REAL lyrics now."

That's actually a great example. I get that he may feel that way sometimes, but you have to learn that there are people that will jump on stuff like that and will make a big deal about it. So, you can't write a song like that and then complain that you're being attacked.

It's not like Mike titled the article. It was just a comment that he made during the interview that he feels misunderstood, and the writer thought that would make the best inflammatory headline.

But, again, Portnoy's been doing this long enough to know that this sort of thing happens. But he never learns.

And he put it best in a recent tweet (I'm paraphrasing based on my memory), "Got no time to hate those who hate me, as I'm too busy loving those who love me." Focus on the love in life and living your life from that place, and leave the hate and inflammatory headlines to those who enjoy living their life that way...

See, that's just it - he doesn't do that.

I think Portnoy is so focused the fact that he's a fan, too, and wants to relate to and interact with his fans, that he takes for granted that everyone will just appreciate that for what it is. He doesn't realize that not everyone loves him (not saying that he's arrogant or conceited. I know many here feel that he is, but I don't think that's the case). I think he looks at is as, "I do everything I can for my fans, I work hard, rarely take time off from writing/recording/performing, interact with my fans, and try to give them the best experience that I can. Why do I get criticized?" What he doesn't realize is that no one can please everyone - everyone has critics. You have to take the criticism with a grain of salt.

I'm not saying that he "cares too much." More that he's way too over-sensitive to criticism.

[Stumpybunker]

Portnoy didn't write the lyrics to Never Enough, Petrucci did.

[Scott Bails]

Portnoy didn't write the lyrics to Never Enough, Petrucci did.

Incorrect.

[JKL2000]

> Portnoy recently bowed out of Adrenaline Mob in order to concentrate on the Winery Dogs.

Damn, that must have been a difficult choice...

[FSTDRMR]

Being a drummer Here is my view on the subject .....if he is giving his all on the recordings and live shows which he is and has the time to do all of these projects then that is great .....he was doing many different project when he was in DT also

[Mister Triscuits]

Gnr, ehr'm dzhe mrsht mzzarhndershtrd muhtzidgeon ahn dzhe wrrrld.

[Scott Bails]

You okay, Triscuits?

[Yanks2014]

I personally don't understand any of the criticism of the guy, he left DT and that is old news. I'm happy for him that he's enjoying his freedom to work with anyone. And I'm sure happy his old band decided not agree to any 5 year break. So I get a few projects from MP that I like, and DT is still recording new music and touring. The guy gave his heart and soul to DT for so many years, he will always have my respect for that.

[Clepsydra]

Portnoy's biggest problem is that he reads and cares too much about how he's criticized. He's gotta learn to let this stuff roll off his back.

Good Point; in the words of Ed McMahon : "YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!"

[PotatoSolution]

I understand perfectly. He's a working musician who is no longer getting a paycheck from Dream Theater, so he does a bunch of different projects so he can pay the mortgage and fulfill himself creatively.

Makes sense to me, why would anyone criticize him for that? Just because he's Mike Portnoy and anything that comes out of his mouth must be wrestled to the ground and beaten with sticks?

[Splicer]

He bashes the drums. I like a jazzier and lighter touch.