The Winery Dogs

The Winery Dogs are an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2012 by Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen.

The Winery Dogs
GenresHard rock, blues rock, progressive rock
Years active2012 (2012)–present
LabelsWHD, Loud & Proud, earMUSIC
Members

Background

The idea of the band started out as a project featuring drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Billy Sheehan, who were aiming to form a power trio rock band with a lead singer/guitarist as the frontman. After an aborted project, tentatively titled "Bad Apple", with guitarist/vocalist John Sykes, talk show host Eddie Trunk heard about it and suggested Richie Kotzen, who had previously played with Sheehan in the band Mr. Big from 1997 to 2002.

The three musicians got together at Richie Kotzen's studio in Los Angeles and at the end of the jam session, they had a few skeletons of songs that would appear on the debut album. After their first album success, they released a live concert DVD called Unleashed in Japan 2013: The Winery Dogs.[1]

Prior to the Winery Dogs, all three members have had successful careers with other bands. Richie Kotzen is known as a former member of bands Poison and Mr. Big, as well as having a consistent solo career with many albums released. Billy Sheehan is known for playing with Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Talas, and Mr. Big. Mike Portnoy is known for being the original drummer of bands Dream Theater, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, Neal Morse Band, Sons of Apollo and Adrenaline Mob.[1]

When asked about the band's main influences, Mike Portnoy commented that they are working towards a classic rock sound, influenced by Led Zeppelin, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Grand Funk Railroad, as well as newer artists such as Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, the Black Crowes and Lenny Kravitz.[2]

The band's self-titled debut album was released in Japan on May 5, 2013 through Victor subsidiary WHD Entertainment, with a worldwide release following on July 23, 2013 through Loud & Proud Records.[3] It was produced by Jay Ruston. It features 13 songs and they switched out the song "Time Machine" with the song "Criminal" for the Japan edition.

In June 2015, the band entered a studio around Los Angeles to record their second album.[4][5] In a July interview, Portnoy said the album was about to begin mixing that month, and it should be released before they begin their October tour.[6] The album, titled Hot Streak, was released on October 2, 2015.[7]

The Winery Dogs also have a band clinic in the summer called Dog Camp. This camp allows musicians and fans to come meet, jam with and learn from the band. Not only does it include individual clinics, but it also incorporates a band setting as well.[8]

In April 2017, it was announced by Kotzen that Winery Dogs were taking a break. Kotzen was quoted as saying the band were "still friends", however, and it's likely there will be more releases from them in the future.[9] The band performed the song "Elevate" at a tribute for David Z, bass player for Adrenaline Mob, who died in a car crash.

On December 5, 2018, Mike Portnoy announced that The Winery Dogs would go on a one-month tour of the U.S. in May 2019.[10]

In November 2022, the band announced the release of their third album, III, on February 3, 2023.[11]

Band members
Left to right: Kotzen, Portnoy and Sheehan

Discography

Studio albums
Year Title US
[12]		 CAN
[13]		 FIN
[14]		 JPN
[15]		 Additional North American
chart positions[13]
2013 The Winery Dogs 27 115 38 18
  • #3 – Top Alternative Albums
  • #4 – Top Independent Albums
  • #4 – Tastemakers
  • #5 – Top Rock Albums
  • #8 – Top Internet Albums
  • #30 – Canada Top Internet Albums
2015 Hot Streak
  • Released: September 23 (Japan)
    October 2 (Worldwide)
  • Label: Loud & Proud
  • Format: Digital download, CD, LP
 30 — — 30
2023 III
  • Released: February 3
  • Label: Three Dog Music
  • Format: Digital download, CD
 — — — 40

EPs

Live albums
  • Unleashed in Japan 2013 (2013)
  • Dog Years: Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016 (2017)

References
  1. "The Winery Dogs Discuss Formation of Band, Debut Album + More". Loudwire. July 22, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  2. "The Winery Dogs - 'Elevate' video released". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  3. Joe Bosso (July 19, 2013). "Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen talk The Winery Dogs CD track-by-track". Music Radar. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  4. "The Winery Dogs Begin Recording Sophomore Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 2, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  5. "Mike Portnoy offers Winery Dogs new album update". ProgReport. June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  6. Henne, Bruce (July 3, 2015). "Winery Dogs album due ahead of October tour". Classic Rock. Team Rock. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  7. "Hot Streak by The Winery Dogs: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  8. "A Camp with Bite: The Winery Dogs' First-Ever Dog Camp — Review". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  9. "Richie Kotzen: The winery dogs are taking a break". Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  10. Mike Portnoy [@MikePortnoy] (December 5, 2018). "The Winery Dogs - Who Let The Dogs Out 2019 US Tour" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. "THE WINERY DOGS Announce 'III' Album, Early 2023 Tour". Blabbermouth.net. November 21, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  12. "THE WINERY DOGS' Self-Titled Album Debuts At #5 On Billboard's Rock Chart". Bravewords.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  13. "The Winery Dogs". Loud And Proud Records. April 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  14. "Finnish charts portal". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  15. "ザ・ワイナリー・ドッグスの作品". Oricon. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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