Dream Theater Drummer Auditions

^ Exactly! I think it is so lame that they are doing some ridiculous "reality show" about the search process, as if they needed MORE publicity than they are already receiving!  This is a ploy, similar to the fiasco of "The Decision" by LeBron James, to market themselves and preen their tail feathers.

Honestly, I actually had a lot of respect for DT before this whole Portnoy debacle.  I had seen clips of their live performances on DVD and was seriously interested in listening to them more in-depth, which I still plan on doing even though I hated "Images & Words."  Now I think that the band has shown their true colors, and this whole self-promotion joke combined with Portnoy's absence really shows that DT is not invested in the music like they should be.  Perhaps a break really would have been a good idea after all.  

andyman1125 wrote: Barking Weasel wrote: andyman1125 wrote: Barking Weasel wrote: andyman1125 wrote: Being such a snob really isn't necessary.  I wouldn't enjoy prog-rock half as much if I couldn't be a snob about it.  Besides, Donati is an odd-time specialist who favors a more academic, subtle approach to drumming.  Portnoy is bombastic and exhuberant, lacking restraint in his approach to the drumset.  This is a direct outcome of his outgoing and strong-willed personality.  They need a larger-than-life persona in order to fill Portnoy's massive shoes, unless they are instead looking for his polar opposite, out of fear that egos will clash onstage.  If the latter is true, than Donati is their man.     Saying Portnoy isn't an odd-time signature master would be terribly short-sighted. And yes, Donati is more "quiet," and Portnoy more "bombastic," but I don't he "lacks restraint." Sure, he's outgoing, but he knows when to pull in the reigns.  Donati would be a good drummer for the band, and it pains me to read your comment of "don't lower yourself to DT's level." Donati is a drummer, DT is a band (and a damn good one at that), I don't think Donati is above DT's level. Sure he's good at polyrhythms, but that doesn't make him better than a group of highly skilled musicians who could easily play at a higher level than Donati. So that's what I mean by snob.  You know, in the case of DT I am honestly not willing to pretend to appreciate or care about what they do.  I've heard enough of the band to know that they aren't for me.  But the real issue here isn't the musical quality or lack thereof, it is a question of honor and commitment that has not been exhibited by DT towards each other.  What does it say about this band, with a lineup that has remained relatively unchanged for over 25 years, that they refuse to honor a simple request by co-founding member (and supposed blood-brother) Portnoy for a mutual break to recuperate from a long stint of touring?  If they actually cared about each other, this would have been an easy decision to make, and Portnoy would still be in DT.  As it stands, there is absolutely nothing holding these men together; no loyalty, no integrity, no compassion for one another.  It makes me sick to observe such wanton, fevered egos running amok.  I pity whichever unfortunate soul is chosen to join the colossally arrogant ranks of DT, for their next cash grab. You have some good points, but I fail to believe it's simply their ego and "lack of loyalty" that split the band apart. Yea, it would have been nice for them to go on hiatus for the sake of Portnoy, who put more than half his life into the life of the band. But I don't think halting the band was a "simple request." They've been going non-stop and I understand MP was tired, and I do think it was a little harsh for the guys to say no, but for MP to leave was not due to a lack of loyalty, integrity, or any of the other things you listed. If Steve Jobs or Bill Gates asked Apple or Microsoft to halt operations, would the business comply? No. Although the band is much more than just an economic entity, they run on similar principles. The departure of Portnoy was tragic, but I think the halting of the band would be much more of a rupture in their fanbase. They've said it wasn't an easy choice to make, and I have all the reason to believe them. And calling DT's music a cash grab is insulting. The band makes music for making music, not economic gain. Look at any of their music. I don't think they were looking for radio play or high ranking billboard performance. At the core of the band's existence they want to please their fans, and a new drummer is the only way that will happen.  But seriously, I think we need to agree to disagree. I think Donati would be a good fit, you don't let's leave it at that before this goes down as PA trolling history.

I'm actually saying that Donati would be a good fit under certain circumstances, depending on what the rest of the guys in Dream Theater are looking for.  If they are looking for a technically gifted yet low-maintenance, low-ego individual, Donati is perfect.  This would allow them to avoid the clashing of personalities that sometimes erupt when the "new guy" shows up amongst superhumans.  However, my point is that choosing Donati runs contrary to the spirit of filling in Portnoy's shoes, in that Portnoy is quite outgoing and extemperaneous as a drummer and human being, and DT might be looking for that sort of personality to replace him.

As far as needing a break, I just don't buy the whole drama aspect that has been force-fed to the media and fans.  It seems so overblown and preposterous.  What kind of drummer just up and quits his band and pet project of 25 years over a minor scheduling conflict?  That is like Kobe Bryant saying, "I've had enough of the Lakers, the work involved in obtaining those 4 championship rings was too much for me, instead I'm gonna go ball with the Timberwolves."  Totally ludicrous and irrational, as far as I am concerned.  Then again, Portnoy does seem like the kind of guy who would do something impulsive like that.  It is not at all his fault though, that the rest of the guys decided to be hostile about a genuine concern he voiced.    

andyman1125 wrote: Barking Weasel wrote: andyman1125 wrote: Being such a snob really isn't necessary.  I wouldn't enjoy prog-rock half as much if I couldn't be a snob about it.  Besides, Donati is an odd-time specialist who favors a more academic, subtle approach to drumming.  Portnoy is bombastic and exhuberant, lacking restraint in his approach to the drumset.  This is a direct outcome of his outgoing and strong-willed personality.  They need a larger-than-life persona in order to fill Portnoy's massive shoes, unless they are instead looking for his polar opposite, out of fear that egos will clash onstage.  If the latter is true, than Donati is their man.     Saying Portnoy isn't an odd-time signature master would be terribly short-sighted. And yes, Donati is more "quiet," and Portnoy more "bombastic," but I don't he "lacks restraint." Sure, he's outgoing, but he knows when to pull in the reigns.  Donati would be a good drummer for the band, and it pains me to read your comment of "don't lower yourself to DT's level." Donati is a drummer, DT is a band (and a damn good one at that), I don't think Donati is above DT's level. Sure he's good at polyrhythms, but that doesn't make him better than a group of highly skilled musicians who could easily play at a higher level than Donati. So that's what I mean by snob.

You know, in the case of DT I am honestly not willing to pretend to appreciate or care about what they do.  I've heard enough of the band to know that they aren't for me.  But the real issue here isn't the musical quality or lack thereof, it is a question of honor and commitment that has not been exhibited by DT towards each other.  What does it say about this band, with a lineup that has remained relatively unchanged for over 25 years, that they refuse to honor a simple request by co-founding member (and supposed blood-brother) Portnoy for a mutual break to recuperate from a long stint of touring?  If they actually cared about each other, this would have been an easy decision to make, and Portnoy would still be in DT.  As it stands, there is absolutely nothing holding these men together; no loyalty, no integrity, no compassion for one another.  It makes me sick to observe such wanton, fevered egos running amok.  I pity whichever unfortunate soul is chosen to join the colossally arrogant ranks of DT, for their next cash grab.

andyman1125 wrote: Being such a snob really isn't necessary.

I wouldn't enjoy prog-rock half as much if I couldn't be a snob about it.  Besides, Donati is an odd-time specialist who favors a more academic, subtle approach to drumming.  Portnoy is bombastic and exhuberant, lacking restraint in his approach to the drumset.  This is a direct outcome of his outgoing and strong-willed personality.  They need a larger-than-life persona in order to fill Portnoy's massive shoes, unless they are instead looking for his polar opposite, out of fear that egos will clash onstage.  If the latter is true, than Donati is their man.    

Virgil Donati,

Please don't sink to the level of DT, you can do better.

Sincerely,
BW

^^^No please don't let it be him.

Of those, I think the best fit for the band (and the most likely choice) is Mangini.

Yeah I'm completely done with the suspense-building... they should just announce it or not say anything yet.

I find most, if not all, reality shows over-pathetic. 

Horizons wrote: The video was over dramatic. Cant wait?

Yeah, it definitely was over-dramatic.