Mike Portnoy apologized for comments on Dream Theater bandmates on Instagram.
“This is a question that has come up in many interviews I’ve done (why I’m not credited as co-Producer on ‘Parasomnia’ as I was on all the past albums from ’99 to ’09)…figured I may as well share the answer here so it addressed for anybody wondering…” the drummer wrote in his post, along with a screenshot of his recent interview with Rock Hard Greece.
Portnoy also included a link to his chat. Then, he added in the comments, “Btw, I’d like to apologize to JR & JM for the wording of ‘babysitting’ of their tracks.. I really did not mean for it to come off the way it did.”
“Obviously they are both completely capable of recording their tracks on their own…I was merely referring to me not being needing to be present for those processes. Obviously no disrespect meant AT ALL!” the rocker further shared.
In his Rock Hard Greece interview, Portnoy said John Petrucci wanted to keep the sole producer credit for Dream Theater’s new album. Portnoy would have liked to co-produce but respected Petrucci’s decision since things had changed while he was away.
The drummer also explained, “But to be honest, it didn’t dilute any of my ideas. All of my ideas were always welcome. And some of the things that I did suggest, like the conceptual, thematic stuff, a lot of that stuff falls under the category of producer, but if John wants the sole credit, that’s totally fine.”
“All that meant for me is that I don’t have to be in the studio 24-7 babysitting the keyboard tracks or the bass tracks, and that’s fine with me. I live three hours away. So, I was more than happy to delegate that all to John and be able to get home and spend a little time with my family here and there,” Portnoy stated.
Dream Theater started their North American 40th-anniversary tour on February 7 in Philadelphia. It’s their first North American tour since Portnoy rejoined. The tour ends on March 22 in New York City.
Photo Credit: Mike Portnoy – Instagram
