Ever since Mike Portnoy and Dream Theater split, things seem to be very hot and cold with the group. Though now that everything has died down and tensions aren't running nearly as high, Portnoy has revealed in an interview with Gigs and Festivals that he really misses the band.
Look, I’m a very sentimental guy, I’m a very nostalgic guy; I was the guy in Dream Theater that opened up the door to [former keyboard player] Derek Sherinian and [original vocalist] Charlie Dominici to come back and join us on stage [at a concert in Los Angeles in 2004]. I also extended that invite to [keyboardist] Kevin Moore, so I’ve always been that type of person. I look at my past with a fond memory, and I probably shouldn’t even say this – I’m not trying to publicly state this – but around Christmas time I sent all the guys in Dream Theater a nice email, just reaching out to say how much I love and miss them, because that’s just the way I am.
This is essentially akin to being married for 25 years and then breaking up with you significant other. Maybe things got rough, but then you look back and it really sucks. Maybe we'll see Portnoy on stage with the band sometime in the future? He at least keeps in touch with guitarist John Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess.
Jordan [Rudess] and John Petrucci, we’ve stayed in touch, so in answer to your question, I’ve never closed the door on doing something with them. It’s not like I’m waiting for it; it’s not like I’m planning it, it’s not like it’s in my career plan, but certainly if the invitation, or if the opportunity arose, I would surely welcome it. It’s just because, you know, I don’t hold grudges, and I like to have an open heart and always cherish the people in my life and in my past. That was twenty-five years of my life.
At this point, it seems that Dream Theater are pretty set with Mangini and it would be insulting to their new drummer to bring back Portnoy, but who knows? Maybe an anniversary celebration or something could lead to a jam.
