John Petrucci Reveals the Importance of Fans in Dream Theater's 40-Year Journey

Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci (Instagram @johnpetrucciofficial)

JAKARTA - John Petrucci again emphasized how crucial the role of fans is in Dream Theater's long journey as a band.

Appearing as a guest on the latest episode of Jon Stankorb's Guitar Hang podcast, Petrucci shared deep reflections on a musician's moral responsibility as well as the philosophy of the relationship between the band and the audience who have supported them for the past four decades.

Petrucci explained that his views on the relationship between fans and bands were heavily influenced by the big groups in the world that he admired when he was young.

"As kids, bands (like) Iron Maiden and Metallica, they're the bands that exemplify how important the fan-band relationship is. Every time we see them on stage or we watch their live videos, whatever it is, you'll see them interacting and always taking the time to connect with the fans. So, that's what we learned, like, that's the normal way; that's how you do it," Petrucci said.

Furthermore, the guitarist known for his precise playing admitted that Dream Theater never played the type of music that could achieve instant or commercial success in the mainstream.

According to him, their existence actually faces many challenges due to the complexity of their composition.

He emphasized that their success in transforming from playing in small clubs to being able to meet the capacity of the O2 Arena is purely due to the strength of live performances and creative consistency that fans appreciate.

"The fact is we built our careers really on the strength of live shows and working hard and being creative and consistent, it makes you appreciate the relationship with the fans because they're the reason why this has grown, why we've moved from Marquee in London to the O2 Arena. They're the reason we can do these things," said the 58-year-old guitarist.

"So you can't forget that. It's a really important relationship. And I think the best perspective, the way to look at it, at least the way I do, is that we're in it together. It's not like 'us and them'. I always hated that. Just because we're standing higher on the stage - we're just musicians," he added.

This momentum of closeness is getting more special along with the return of the drummer and band founder, Mike Portnoy, into the Dream Theater formation after leaving for 13 years.

Portnoy's return in October 2023 sparked tremendous global enthusiasm. Dream Theater itself has embarked on a new chapter by releasing the album "Parasomnia" on February 7. The album contains eight songs with a total duration of 71 minutes was recorded at their studio on Long Island, New York, and produced directly by Petrucci with a touch of mixing from Andy Sneap.

As part of Portnoy's return and the launch of the new album, Dream Theater is scheduled to tour Latin America in the spring of 2026 with the title "An Evening With Dream Theater".

During the tour, the progressive metal giant plans to perform the entire album "Parasomnia", as well as perform the seven-part masterpiece "A Change Of Seasons" in its entirety for the first time since Portnoy rejoined.

The tour also celebrates 40 years of their career journey since they were first formed as Majesty in 1985 by Portnoy, Petrucci, and John Myung at Berklee College Of Music.