If Dream Theater went mainstream...

[Ael]

Now I don't know if this has been something talked about on the board before but let's go with it...

Let's say you woke up and Dream Theater was played on MTV and on the radio and suddenly became mainstream with all this other radio shit we hear all day long?

Would you still listen to Dream Theater? Or would you be happy they're mainstream and EVERYONE is hearing them? What if their music started becoming more "mainstream" and changing to a much different sound to suit the new audience? Instead of having 12 minute epics you had 3 minute songs just to play on the radio? If this EVER hapenned would you listen to Dream Theater?

I just brought this up cause on the MP forum I saw something about how he was thinking of making a music video for "As I Am" and giving another chance to try and get a DT video aired on TV.

Although I think a video would be cool, I like how Dream Theater isn't "mainstream" and very popular in it's own way, and I'm afraid if "As I Am" becomes a hit and they go mainstream they might lose a lot of their edge, then again, it could be just me...what do you think?

-Emeric

[Taurus]

The only good reason to make a video for As I Am would be to get more people familiar with DT.. get a larger fanbase.Get new fans.. But hell, not go fight alongside that R&B black or even fight TOP40 rockbands.

If DT changes to mainstraim music, and really make 4/4 crap then it will mess up the entire fanbase. I dont believe they ever will though, its just impossible. If they ever would I wont be a fan of DT anymore, except fancy their older work.

I dont believe DT has money for things like that anyway, they would have to organize huge marketing campains next to it all.

[merijn]

It would be a pitty, but I would still be a fan.

[Liquid Shadow]

There is such a thing as good mainstream music, so if that's what they were producing, then why not?

[Nick]

hm..if they make 4/4 mainstream crap..i would not buy that stuff..just listen to the older stuff....

but i dont think they will...hopefully.

[Poopshred]

As long as James would be in the band.

[Britler]

Whether I still listen to them would depend entirely on whether they maintain their integrity, which really isn't worth worrying about. And think... how awesome would it be if it turns out that DT pull music out of the rut it's in right now, and then become one of those legendary bands like Zep or The Beatles or somethng?

[Ael]

That would be awesome, and I do realize they'd still make music...I'm just saying, the curse of mainstream is horrible...you get such good underground bands who totally change...cause once you are mainstream you really no longer maintain any creative authority over your songs...your songs have to be like everyone else's, or almost the same and just set yourselves apart...look at all the mainstream music on MTV and such in terms of rock...it's all the same...do you think each band wants their music to be the same?

[mmvrs09]

Yes, as long as they don't obtain that mainstream attitude. And if their music goes downhil, then also, probably not....But if they continue to make amazing music and keep their already "cool" attitude, then definately yes.

[Enigma™]

I think the big difference isn't so much about being mainstream - I'd still listen to them. Unless they SOUNDED mainstream. There's a difference. If they kept their style, but became popular enough that they were mainstream, cool. If they changed their sound to do it... We'll just say it depends on the sound :)

[Ehren]

Would I keep listening to them if they went mainstream? Yes. I don't think anything could persuade them to sell out and produce crappy music. To thine own self be true, eh?

I would, however, be considerably less enamored with them. It's just my nature - Dream Theater is great to me (partly) because it's my own personal thing ... maybe it's just because I'm in my senior year in high school, and individuality is a big part of that. At any rate, I like being one of the only people around that digs DT, and although it's selfish, I couldn't be as into them if everyone around me was as well.

It's almost like the ignorant morons that comprise the majority of the public don't deserve them.

[Over The Edge]

If their music is really good...why not continue listening
to them. There are some very good mainstream acts
out there right now.





FL
www.franklucas.net

[maJ estY]

I agree with Frank - if you're a prog fan, you don't have to hate everything that "normal" ( ;) ) people listen to... Mainstream doesn't mean it's bad - it depends on what DT would do - I voted for yes!

[Peter_Stone]

I'm already listening to their older stuff. I hope the next record will be more mature - just my opinion of course!

Listening to 6 degrees of inner T, last night. In my opinion the composition is actually going somewhere.

The last album was too (commercial???) much for the heavy metal crowds - in my opinion...-think I've grown out of H/M but there we go. Am I the oldest guy on this forum? Ha.

If DT hit it big and still evolved their songcrafting, I'd be a happy listener again.

Whats the deal with a radio edit of the first track on the CD, which actually slags off the radio culture? If thats what they feel, then I ask why they bother...but thats a whole different topics' worth...

My opinion of course...(not looking to start a war of words or anything)!

Peter

http://soundsichiban.com

[maJ estY]

Everyone's has got his opinion, but one thing I like is that DT changes their "style" with every new album. Six Degrees was not so accepted by the drummers and the guitarists, because they prefer the heavier parts. Those are happy with Train of Thought now, but at the same time, there are many keyboard players who don't like at the moment. You can never make everyone happy, and you can be sure that their next album will different again.

[Peter_Stone]

I agree with Majesty. Hard to please everyone...

In that case I believe that I'm a keyboardist trapped in a guitarists body.

I think the 'chops' thing is getting a bit tired though...

Peter

http://soundsichiban.com

[SirMaximus]

I will listen to them as long as they make music that i like.If they get more attension on TV and radio,that`s great...I love them anyway.

[Ehren]

I'm personally a fan of the albums prior to ToT myself, although I haven't heard MUCH of the new album, so it's hard to judge. It seems like they always have the perfect blend of "heaviness" and really impressive melody.

[Bastardo Demono]

whether or not I will continue buying their new albums would depend if it retains the quality of their past stuff and thats it. I dont care about popular/not popular as long as its good stuff. There are plenty of great popular, progressive bands, just look at Yes, Rush, Pink Floyud, or Emerson Lake and Palmer.

Besides, Dream Theater are one of the most popular so called "underground" rock bands in the world right now. They might not be a household name, and every teenybopper girl might not have pictures of labrie and jordan's kurzweil on their school notebook, but even in america they are able to attract pretty sizable crowds now headlining decent sized venues. Its not like they are really THAT far outside the mainstream- they've a ways to go, yes, but we've all seen that they are quite capable of commercially acceptable stuff, some of it good (pull me under, another day, lie) some of it not so good (falling into infinity).

Though I personally think an sudden increase in dt's popularity would be very harmful for their band, inner tensions that may be put on the back burner now would definately creep up.