Fair enough, never liked DT much but I do very much like Portnoy (non drummer's perspective - always wondered why he was so maligned by many...) I don't think i could handle being in a studio with Jordan Rudess for an hour, let alone 10+ years, so I think he's done ok for himself.
Oh youve gotta be kidding - Jordan is an awesome guy!
Im just speculating here, but I dont believe a lot of what the press statements are saying. Did Mike leave or did the band move ahead without him?
Mike (in his own words) was burnt out, but it was
his decision to take on the workload he had. If you're overdoing it, why not drop the sideprojects and concentrate on the breadwinner? If he wasnt vibed about being in the chair for Dream Theater anymore, then shouldnt he have just left the band? Apparently not - he claims the band 'moved on without him' when he suggested a break, which tells me he had no plans to leave permanently - But why not if you prefer to be doing other things?
My hunch is that the rest of DT may have been getting impatient with Mikes other projects pulling him out of DT time, whilst they're trying to write/record a new album. It would be a distraction and although the other guys have dabble in side projects in the past and still do, DT seems to always be the band they are 100% behind, and Mike (although being THE driving force for the band) has been increasingly spreading out to other projects as time goes on. If he was after a 'hiatus', what guarantees would the band have when he did return? I think they saw his heart wasnt in it anymore and offered him a way out.
If one person goes and finds themselves heaps of work while the rest of the band sit around and wait for him to come back, I cant blame them for not being sympathetic when he asks for some down time afterwards.
Dunno, its just a thought...
