Mike Portnoy interview (excerpt)

Dane Prokofiev: Since both Derek Sherinian and you were once part of Dream Theater, many people who are and will be following PSMS’s progress will inevitably use Dream Theater as a benchmark for comparison. Do you feel flattered or annoyed by the weight of such a heavy legacy?

Mike Portnoy: Well it depends on how it’s compared, whether or not I’m flattered or annoyed. [chuckles] I’m flattered when people talk about my 25-year legacy there and the history because it was an important part of my life. I spent my life’s work doing what I did in Dream Theater for 25 years, so I’m proud of that. If people start comparing it to modern Dream Theater, that to me is annoying. I’m not interested in that; I’m interested in looking at the things that I’ve done, and I put a heart and soul into everything I do and passion into everything I do. So I’m only interested in people that have positive things to say. I don’t like the controversy and negativity and things like that.