Mike Portnoy interview (excerpt)

Eddie Trunk: A zillion people asked me to ask you what you thought of the new Dream Theater song that was released. Can you comment? Do you want to comment?

Mike Portnoy: [laughs] I shouldn’t comment.

ET: I’m only doing my job, buddy. I’m asking the questions for people. You can handle it however you want.

MP: I know, bro. I know. Uhhhhh... it’s very difficult for me to hear. It’s like nobody wants to see their ex-wife of 25 years with a new husband, moving into the house that you built for 25 years. So it’s painful for me to hear.

ET: I’m not laughing at your predicament. I’m just laughing at your analogy because it’s spot on and it’s really funny.

MP: Yeah, I mean, it’s a painful thing for me to hear and see. You know, a Dream Theater without me was never in the plan. I never expected that, but they’ve chosen to move on, and I just have to sit on the sidelines and watch and listen. I mean, I did hear the song, and I heard an excerpt of another song, and I guess I’ll reserve comment on those just because whatever I say, whether it be good, bad, or indifferent, it’s probably going to come across wrong and will be completely dissected and misinterpreted, so let’s leave it at no comment. Let’s leave it at that.

ET: I understand completely what you said about being pulled apart and misinterpreted. So enough said.