--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I absolutely am not the 'de facto front…" description: "\"I absolutely am not the 'de facto front man' in The Mob - that title surely goes to Russell Allen, who is one of the best front men in the business. I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/mike-portnoy-5256_band_i-absolutely-am-not-the-de-facto-front-m_1322057.jpg" --- # I absolutely am not the 'de facto front man' in The Mob… ![“I absolutely am not the 'de facto front man' in The Mob - that title surely goes to Russell Allen, who is one of the best front men in the business. I am just happy to be part of the band and not necessarily leading it.” quote by Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/mike-portnoy-5256_band_i-absolutely-am-not-the-de-facto-front-m_1322057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/mike-portnoy-5256_band_i-absolutely-am-not-the-de-facto-front-m_1322057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/mike-portnoy-5256_band_i-absolutely-am-not-the-de-facto-front-m_1322057.jpg) > “I absolutely am not the 'de facto front man' in The Mob - that title surely goes to Russell Allen, who is one of the best front men in the business. I am just happy to be part of the band and not necessarily leading it.” [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He denies being the primary frontman, crediting Russell Allen while appreciating his role in the band. **In simple terms:** He sees himself as a supportive member, not the leader. Key Takeaway Value collaboration over fame. Themes teamwork leadership humility music Mood humble grateful Type team reflective When to use this quote - recording sessions - live performances - creative decision making Key Concepts role dynamics band hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - What makes a good supporting role? - How does sharing spotlight affect group cohesion? A Different Perspective Band dynamics can blur individual contributions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [I've known Russell Allen for over a decade now, and I've always thought he was a very underrated singer. He has one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-ve-known-russell-allen-for-over-a-decade-now-and-i-ve-always/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I've always been known for writing lyrics or being in a band but not necessarily for 'Oh, I love that guy's voice!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-koma/i-ve-always-been-known-for-writing-lyrics-or-being-in-a-band-but-not/) [Matthew Koma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-koma/) > [Everything I've ever wanted to do, we've kinda done. Everything beyond this has been just the cherry on top. I've been so happy with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-stump/everything-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-do-we-ve-kinda-done-everything-beyond/) [Patrick Stump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-stump/) > [Nobody told Don Henley or me that we were going to make it as solo artists, but I can speak for Don when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-frey/nobody-told-don-henley-or-me-that-we-were-going-to-make-it-as-solo/) [Glenn Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-frey/) > [We've become an underground thing for kids, because we never got the love our peers got back in the day. Kids are loving discovering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lukather/we-ve-become-an-underground-thing-for-kids-because-we-never-got-the/) [Steve Lukather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lukather/) > [Every band goes through breakups or splits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/every-band-goes-through-breakups-or-splits/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm about as privileged as you can get. I'm a white, male, heterosexual front man of a rock band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-reynolds/i-m-about-as-privileged-as-you-can-get-i-m-a-white-male-heterosexual/) [Dan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-reynolds/) > [There is more to me than just having been in the Runaways. And even though I'm really, really proud of what the band accomplished,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-fuchs/there-is-more-to-me-than-just-having-been-in-the-runaways-and-even/) [Jackie Fuchs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-fuchs/) > [I've always made sure that I tour with bands that people aren't expecting me to tour with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayer-hawthorne/i-ve-always-made-sure-that-i-tour-with-bands-that-people-aren-t/) [Mayer Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayer-hawthorne/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [I think my music has always been a mixture, depending on whom I'm working with - what band, what musicians, what producer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/i-think-my-music-has-always-been-a-mixture-depending-on-whom-i-m/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [My Nirvana experience was much different than the other three guys. For me, it was really new and exciting. I was just a guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-smear/my-nirvana-experience-was-much-different-than-the-other-three-guys/) [Pat Smear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-smear/) > [There is something to be said though when you have 4 or 5 guys playing with no net, there is a sense of urgency,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-mendoza/there-is-something-to-be-said-though-when-you-have-4-or-5-guys/) [Marco Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-mendoza/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [The reason I was drawn to the Band Perry was because they have a knack for doing rollicking country music that can sound a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/the-reason-i-was-drawn-to-the-band-perry-was-because-they-have-a/) [Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/) ## More by Mike Portnoy > [My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-lesson-would-be-to-not-sell-yourself-to-anybody-else-and-stay-true/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I love playing drums and helping out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-playing-drums-and-helping-out/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I don't even like doing drum solos live; to me, it's like, 'Ehhh.' It doesn't really interest me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-even-like-doing-drum-solos-live-to-me-it-s-like-ehhh-it-doesn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Every band goes through breakups or splits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/every-band-goes-through-breakups-or-splits/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and Lamb of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-music-fan-first-and-foremost-i-can-find-the-beauty-in-jellyfish/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a very sentimental guy; I'm a very nostalgic guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-very-sentimental-guy-i-m-a-very-nostalgic-guy/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [It's all about the music, and I work as hard as I do strictly because of the music. It's not a money thing; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/it-s-all-about-the-music-and-i-work-as-hard-as-i-do-strictly-because/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I have no interest in playing 'perfect.' To me, it's more about being an entertainer. Having a connection with the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-have-no-interest-in-playing-perfect-to-me-it-s-more-about-being-an/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm getting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-you-know-i-m-getting-to-do-everything-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-do/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with Adrenaline Mob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-could-be-just-as-happy-playing-a-beatles-song-as-i-am-when-i-m/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/flying-colors-is-more-alternative-pop-with-a-prog-edge-think-the/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) [Explore all 102 Mike Portnoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More Band quotes > [The reason I was drawn to the Band Perry was because they have a knack for doing rollicking country music that can sound a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/the-reason-i-was-drawn-to-the-band-perry-was-because-they-have-a/) [Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [There is something to be said though when you have 4 or 5 guys playing with no net, there is a sense of urgency,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-mendoza/there-is-something-to-be-said-though-when-you-have-4-or-5-guys/) [Marco Mendoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-mendoza/) > [My Nirvana experience was much different than the other three guys. For me, it was really new and exciting. I was just a guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-smear/my-nirvana-experience-was-much-different-than-the-other-three-guys/) [Pat Smear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-smear/) > [I think my music has always been a mixture, depending on whom I'm working with - what band, what musicians, what producer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/i-think-my-music-has-always-been-a-mixture-depending-on-whom-i-m/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [I've always made sure that I tour with bands that people aren't expecting me to tour with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayer-hawthorne/i-ve-always-made-sure-that-i-tour-with-bands-that-people-aren-t/) [Mayer Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayer-hawthorne/) > [There is more to me than just having been in the Runaways. And even though I'm really, really proud of what the band accomplished,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-fuchs/there-is-more-to-me-than-just-having-been-in-the-runaways-and-even/) [Jackie Fuchs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-fuchs/) > [I like the bad-boy types. Generally the guy I'm attracted to is the guy in the club with all the tattoos and nail polish.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/i-like-the-bad-boy-types-generally-the-guy-i-m-attracted-to-is-the/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [Bass guitar is the engine of the band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/bass-guitar-is-the-engine-of-the-band/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [I just became accustomed to being all the members of the band. That was something that was really exciting to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-collier/i-just-became-accustomed-to-being-all-the-members-of-the-band-that/) [Jacob Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-collier/) > [I guess because we're essentially a two-man band, we're attracting Wham's crowd. But Wham! are more of a businessman's band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-smith/i-guess-because-we-re-essentially-a-two-man-band-we-re-attracting/) [Curt Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-smith/) > [I'm about as privileged as you can get. I'm a white, male, heterosexual front man of a rock band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-reynolds/i-m-about-as-privileged-as-you-can-get-i-m-a-white-male-heterosexual/) [Dan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-reynolds/) > [I'd been playing in bands for something like seven years at this point. And we were always trying to get ahead, trying to rehearse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aerosmith/i-d-been-playing-in-bands-for-something-like-seven-years-at-this/) [Aerosmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aerosmith/) > [Metallica's the only band i've ever been in. I'm not sure that when it ends in five, ten years, I'm going to put an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lars-ulrich/metallica-s-the-only-band-i-ve-ever-been-in-i-m-not-sure-that-when-it/) [Lars Ulrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lars-ulrich/) Browse all 6,497 Band quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I absolutely am not the 'de facto front man' in The Mob - that title surely goes to Russell Allen, who is one of the best front men in the business. 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