THE WINERY DOGS Drummer MIKE PORTNOY – “We’re Just One Of Those Bands That Somehow Speaks To And Connects With Everybody”

The Winery Dogs drummer Mike Portnoy recently spoke with Hard Rock Daddy about the band’s new album, Hot Streak, the multitude of bands that he works with, and sitting behind the kit for Twisted Sister. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

Q: You guys have cultivated a sound that transcends genres.  There is no real natural radio format fit, and yet everybody loves the band.  How do you explain peoples’ reaction to The Winery Dogs?

Portnoy: “I think that’s a sign of a great band.  You can say the same thing about Van Halen.  I mean, what is Van Halen?  Are they metal?  Are they rock? You know, we’re just one of those bands that somehow speaks to, and connects with, everybody…metal fans, prog fans, rock fans.  Even people that aren’t necessarily rock fans seem to just embrace this band, which is awesome.”

Q: Having seen The Winery Dogs in a live setting, I have to say that you have an incredible chemistry that is unlike any other band that I’ve ever seen…

Portnoy: “I think that we’re like a three-headed beast on stage, and no matter who you’re watching, you’re going to be entertained.”

“It’s kind of strange in a way.  In most bands, the rhythm section would be the anchor, and then you’d have the singer and the guitar player going around them.  In our case, it’s the opposite.  Richie is actually the anchor, and Billy (Sheehan) and I are running circles around him.  You have Richie – who is such a soulful entity – holding down the song as the singer and the guitar player.  He does his thing, and then Billy and I are like the rhythm section from hell.  We love playing off of each other and being very spontaneous.  I don’t think that either one of us has ever played the same fills two nights in a row.  We’re also both animated and entertaining on stage, and are the sort of players that enjoy being up there.  So, it’s definitely like a three-ring circus when you see us.”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Gear Gods met up with Mike Portnoy to talk about the kit he’s using on The Winery Dogs’ world tour. Watch the segment below:

The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan and Mike Portnoy, are set to play a string of UK shows in early 2016 in support of their second album, Hot Streak, which was released in the UK via earMUSIC in partnership with Loud & Proud Records last month.

Mike Portnoy comments: “Yay!! We’re so excited to bring the three-ring circus that is The Winery Dogs to Europe and the UK! We did our best to hit as many places as we could in the available window… but fret not, if we’re not hitting your country just yet, as we hope to come back in the summer as well to play as many places as we can! C’mon and join the fun!!”

Singer/guitarist, Richie Kotzen echoes the sentiment, saying: “We are super psyched to have the opportunity to return to the UK and Europe for a string of live shows supporting our new album, Hot Streak. Thank you all for making this release a success and we will see you from the stage real soon!”

UK dates:

January
31 – London, England – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

February

2 – Bristol, England – O2 Academy
4 – Manchester, England – O2 Ritz
5 – Birmingham, England – O2 Institute

Currently on the road in the US, The Winery Dogs stopped by the New York’s Q104.3 studios. In the clip below the guys talk about camping with fans, performing on cruise ships, and the writing process behind, “Oblivion,” the single off the new album, Hot Streak. They also perform an acoustic version of the song, “Fire”.