Is Mike Portnoy Suing Dream Theater?
Reports suggest that the drummer is taking his former band to court
Blabbermouth reports that Portnoy began legal proceedings against Dream Theater in April, but the news only broke this morning.
According to the report he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates in April claiming that they "wrongfully excluded" him from the group and are "wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with their recording of an album without the participation or consent of Portnoy."
The drummer's complaint, which was filed on April 27, alleges that the defendants - John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), James LaBrie (vocals), along with associated companies Ytse Jam, Inc. and Infinity Tours, Inc. - "are wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with the promotion of live performances by the individual defendants, without the participation or consent of Portnoy."
Portnoy addressed the story pretty soon after it ran, though, and he suggests that there's more to it than meets the eye.
Writing on his official forum after the news broke earlier today, Portnoy said, "Everyone needs to chill out. Stop feeding into this negative poison on the net... I am legally NOT ALLOWED to speak of business matters, but I'm sure you realize there are two sides to every coin... If I could openly talk about this stuff and explain the REALITY of everything, I would love nothing more!!! But I am legally unable to discuss it... In the meantime, life is bright and positive...I am happy and so are they....so shouldn't YOU be too??? Don't believe the hype...Carpe Diem!"