· Who thought up the name Dream Theater?
· What is the 'symbol' DT use?
· Who are DT's main influences?
· Where did DT go to school?
· Are the band members religious?

In the early stages of their career, Dream Theater were known as Majesty (named after Mike's description of the song "Bastille Day" by Rush). However, before the recording of When Dream and Day Unite another band named Majesty got in contact with DT ordering them to change their name.

Various names were considered ("Glasser" was the band's official name for about a week), but Howard Portnoy (Mike's father) gets the honour of being the person that suggested "Dream Theater". Mike got a message on his answering machine from his father telling him about a movie theater in California called the Dream theater, and the band liked it so much they used it for their band name.

In 2002 the theater was demolished, much to the dismay of local DT fans.

The "Majesty Symbol" (as it is commonly known) is the letter "M" of "MAJESTY" in a stylized lettering, and is based on the symbol used by Mary Queen of Scots.

It can be seen on all the album covers, as well as most of the discs themselves.

DT have been influenced by dozens of bands at one time or another, so it's impossible to list which bands did and didn't influence DT. However, in a recent interview, Mike summed up the band as follows:



Queensryche, Yes and Genesis are also among the band's biggest influences over the years.

For individual influences, see the "Members" section.

Petrucci, Myung, Portnoy and Sherinian all went to the Berklee school of music in Boston, MA. Berklee is a music-dedicated school that has produced the likes of Steve Vai, Al Di Meola and Chris DeGarmo. Jordan Rudess attended Julliard in New York from the age of 9, and Kevin Moore went to SUNY Fredonia, in New York.

When at Berklee, JM, JP and MP all left school to concentrate on the band after the first year, so none of them graduated (Although a common rumor states that Dream Theater holds doctorates in music, which isn't true).

The two Johns and Kevin also went to high school together.

The following was confirmed by Jordan Rudess on his message board, in a post made by one of the members asking about JR's religion:

James LaBrie - Christian

James has said in many interviews that he is Christian, and actively practices the religion. There is a (no longer available) interview from HM Magazine that had him talk in-depth about his beliefs, and the lyrical meaning of the song Blind Faith, with the interviewer and John Petrucci.

John Myung - Christian

This is as much confirmation as we can get: he said in an interview once that Jesus is his biggest influence in life. Anyone with more information please contact us.

John Petrucci - Catholic

In the above-mentioned interview with James, he stated that he is a catholic and actively practices the religion. This is also evident in some of his songs, particularly Scarred and Voices.

Mike Portnoy - Jewish

In a Ytsejam.com "10 Quick Ones" interview, Mike said that he is Jewish, but doesn't practice the religion. Jordan Rudess also confirmed this in the message board post mentioned above.

Jordan Rudess - Jewish

In the message board post above, Jordan stated that he is Jewish... see the comments below for some more information.