Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with former DREAM THEATER and current THE WINERY DOGS drummer Mike Portnoy. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Metal-Rules.com: Can I have something about your former band, if you don’t mind?

Portnoy: I may not answer it.

Metal-Rules.com: Have you heard their latest album?

Portnoy: I won’t talk about, because there is no winning. Any time I say anything about DREAM THEATER… Honestly, I’d rather not talk about it. Because no matter what I say, it will be twisted and… So I kind of have made myself promise, that I won’t talk about DREAM THEATER anymore. If you want to ask me about my 25 years in the band, I could talk about that. But talking about them now, it’s a no-win situation.

Metal-Rules.com: I totally understand so can you then briefly sum up your 25 years with the DREAM THEATER?

Portnoy: Yeah. I’m proud of everything I did for those 25 years. That was my life for a quarter of a century, my half of lif-time. DREAM THEATER was my baby. I formed it from the beginning, out of college and I lived a lifetime with them. So I’m proud of every one of those albums and every one of the shows. I left behind a legacy and there is a lot of people that still talk about seeing me with them. I don’t count on that happening. I wouldn’t count on it. I wouldn’t bet money on it. If it happens, then, sure, I’m up for it. Because I’m a very sentimental person and I still love the guys and I love the fans. But I surely don’t count on it and I don’t plan on it, and I’m happier than ever with everything I’m doing now.

Metal-Rules.com: I can see that you’re really happy man now.

Portnoy: Yeah, I’m free. I don’t think I was ever meant to be tied down to one band for the rest of my life, playing one style of music. I’m a music fan of so many styles that I need to have the freedom to do that kind of stuff.

Read the entire interview at Metal-Rules.com.

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than thirty years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI). Portnoy later revealed that he tried to rejoin DREAM THEATER, only to be rebuffed.

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net