The Mike Portnoy Appreciation/Discussion Thread (merged)

[Stadler]

I happen to think the second The Winery Dogs album (Hot Streak) has some of Mike’s best drumming since he left DT. The first one is really good too of course.

I understand why people might not be fans of The Winery Dogs. If you're a prog fan, I can definitely see you finding their sound too direct or simplistic, for lack of better words. I love their sound, and it's a shame that Richie has what I think i fear of commitment when it comes to working as a band. The second tour was going great, and then he decided it was time to focus on his solo album, just when we thought we would get a third one straight away.

Hopefully we get the third one by early next year at least. Sounds like they are finishing it now.

What I love about TWD is they are not explicitly prog, but they still bring all the instrumental chops of a prog band to more of a straight ahead rock format. Kind of the best of both worlds. You avoid the kind of over the top nature of something like Sons of Apollo, while getting something more based on hooks and melodies. Honestly it’s more of the Rush vein of proggish hard rock (not that they sound like Rush). Or I guess kind of the bluesy hard rock companion to Flying Colors. They’re just a fun band playing fun music.

But here's the thing:  I SHOULD love The Winery Dogs.  I'm not married to prog, I'm not a guy that really cares about "genre" per se.  I love Deep Purple, I love Black Country Communion, I love Chris Cornell... all touchstones of TWD, and yet... it doesn't grab me.  I couldn't sing you ONE TWD song right now off the top of my head.  I dig that others love them, and I enjoyed the one show I saw with them (the tour for the second album), but I'm not salivating over the third release.

[El Barto]

I happen to think the second The Winery Dogs album (Hot Streak) has some of Mike’s best drumming since he left DT. The first one is really good too of course.

I understand why people might not be fans of The Winery Dogs. If you're a prog fan, I can definitely see you finding their sound too direct or simplistic, for lack of better words. I love their sound, and it's a shame that Richie has what I think i fear of commitment when it comes to working as a band. The second tour was going great, and then he decided it was time to focus on his solo album, just when we thought we would get a third one straight away.

Hopefully we get the third one by early next year at least. Sounds like they are finishing it now.

What I love about TWD is they are not explicitly prog, but they still bring all the instrumental chops of a prog band to more of a straight ahead rock format. Kind of the best of both worlds. You avoid the kind of over the top nature of something like Sons of Apollo, while getting something more based on hooks and melodies. Honestly it’s more of the Rush vein of proggish hard rock (not that they sound like Rush). Or I guess kind of the bluesy hard rock companion to Flying Colors. They’re just a fun band playing fun music.

But here's the thing:  I SHOULD love The Winery Dogs.  I'm not married to prog, I'm not a guy that really cares about "genre" per se.  I love Deep Purple, I love Black Country Communion, I love Chris Cornell... all touchstones of TWD, and yet... it doesn't grab me.  I couldn't sing you ONE TWD song right now off the top of my head.  I dig that others love them, and I enjoyed the one show I saw with them (the tour for the second album), but I'm not salivating over the third release.

They're a perfect example of a live band for me. I only care about new albums insofar as they provide good music for them to play live. It's very rare that I'd put one of the albums on, though they're certainly not bad. I'll always catch them when they're in town, though, and they've always been great.

[HOF]

That is kind of odd to me, Stadler. They do seem like they should be up your alley, and songs like Elevate, Desire, I’m No Angel, and Regret are very hooky in my opinion. The second album does feel less hooky to me, but I think it is more interesting musically, and there are some really great songs especially on the second half. Ghost Town, The Bridge, Spiral, and The Lamb are big stand outs to me.

[Stadler]

That is kind of odd to me, Stadler. They do seem like they should be up your alley, and songs like Elevate, Desire, I’m No Angel, and Regret are very hooky in my opinion. The second album does feel less hooky to me, but I think it is more interesting musically, and there are some really great songs especially on the second half. Ghost Town, The Bridge, Spiral, and The Lamb are big stand outs to me.

It's odd to me!   I have more "Mike Portnoy" in my collection than just about any artist, and I'm more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  But I go by gut on my listening. I don't put a lot of thought into what I like or don't like until afterwards, and for whatever reason, those two TWD records just don't tickle the bone.  I can't really explain it.

[WilliamMunny]

That is kind of odd to me, Stadler. They do seem like they should be up your alley, and songs like Elevate, Desire, I’m No Angel, and Regret are very hooky in my opinion. The second album does feel less hooky to me, but I think it is more interesting musically, and there are some really great songs especially on the second half. Ghost Town, The Bridge, Spiral, and The Lamb are big stand outs to me.

It's odd to me!   I have more "Mike Portnoy" in my collection than just about any artist, and I'm more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  But I go by gut on my listening. I don't put a lot of thought into what I like or don't like until afterwards, and for whatever reason, those two TWD records just don't tickle the bone.  I can't really explain it.

I feel the same way about the Neal Morse Band albums—I have tried, tried, and tried again over the years, because all of the ingredients are there, but it just never clicks. 

[gzarruk]

I really liked the first TWD album back when it got released, but lost interest in it quite fast. To this day, I don't think I've ever listened to ther 2nd in full, and I haven't listened to either of those in so many years I lost count. I'd rather take another SOA album than a new TWD, even though I'm not a fan of Soto's vocals.

[SoundscapeMN]

I still contend, my favorite drum performance of his is on

[gzarruk]

I still contend, my favorite drum performance of his is on

I tried listening to it one (please notice the emphasis on tried), but I just couldn't make it through the first song. Arch's vocals are tough, man

edit: fixed a typo.

[HOF]

Yeah, John Arch is probably the greatest terrible singer of all time or something. He has an astoundingly awful voice but he somehow gets the job done!

[Kram]

That is kind of odd to me, Stadler. They do seem like they should be up your alley, and songs like Elevate, Desire, I’m No Angel, and Regret are very hooky in my opinion. The second album does feel less hooky to me, but I think it is more interesting musically, and there are some really great songs especially on the second half. Ghost Town, The Bridge, Spiral, and The Lamb are big stand outs to me.

It's odd to me!   I have more "Mike Portnoy" in my collection than just about any artist, and I'm more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  But I go by gut on my listening. I don't put a lot of thought into what I like or don't like until afterwards, and for whatever reason, those two TWD records just don't tickle the bone.  I can't really explain it.

I'm the same way Stadler.  TWD is definitely a band that in theory I should like.  And every time I hear one of their songs, I think "that sounds pretty good".  For some reason though, I have zero desire to seek any of their other stuff out.  It's just missing something for me - but I can't really put my finger on it.

[Stadler]

Yeah, John Arch is probably the greatest terrible singer of all time or something. He has an astoundingly awful voice but he somehow gets the job done!

Haha, what a distinction. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

Yeah, John Arch is probably the greatest terrible singer of all time or something. He has an astoundingly awful voice but he somehow gets the job done!

 His approach to writing verses is "hey, let's see how many syllables we can fit in this bit right here!!!!"

[ProfessorPeart]

My issue with Arch is not so much his voice but his vocal melodies. It's like he's tracking a completely different song.

As for OSI, I don't really count the MP albums as great examples. Kevin mucked with his performance on both albums. I noticed he did not really do that at all on the Gavin records.

[goo-goo]

Took me a while to get into Arch's vocals but Sympathetic Resonance and Winter Ethereal are phenomenal. The phrasing is a lot better on this albums than what he did with Fates Warning. I do wish both AM albums would have an instrumental version because the music is probably Jim's best work.

The John Arch EP does have Mike's best performance, specially the 1st track.

[HOF]

My issue with Arch is not so much his voice but his vocal melodies. It's like he's tracking a completely different song.

That could be it, but it at least gives the impression that he can’t sing on pitch.

[Kram]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

I just watched this, pretty interesting.  MP made a point to say he's on good terms with ALL the guys in the band now.  Good to hear.

[emtee]

Count me among the others for whom TWD does not connect. I was really looking forward to the collaboration with John Sykes as I love his playing style, but it wasn't meant to be.

I've never heard the Arch album with MP. I'll seek it out and listen.

[goo-goo]

Count me among the others for whom TWD does not connect.

I loved the 1st Winery Dogs album. The 2nd felt more like a Kotzen solo album than a collaboration. The magic with the Winery Dogs happens live. As a live band, they kick some serious ass.

[Mladen]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

That was a fun watch. 

[faizoff]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

For Dream Team, I can recommend Neal Morse - One and Flying Colors - Second Nature.

This is an awesome video, thanks for sharing!

[ProfessorPeart]

Count me among the others for whom TWD does not connect.

I loved the 1st Winery Dogs album. The 2nd felt more like a Kotzen solo album than a collaboration. The magic with the Winery Dogs happens live. As a live band, they kick some serious ass.

Agreed. Night and day difference between the first and second albums. Richie went on the record as stating he thinks the 3rd album is much more like the first. Let's hope so.

[cramx3]

Count me among the others for whom TWD does not connect.

I loved the 1st Winery Dogs album. The 2nd felt more like a Kotzen solo album than a collaboration. The magic with the Winery Dogs happens live. As a live band, they kick some serious ass.

Agreed. Night and day difference between the first and second albums. Richie went on the record as stating he thinks the 3rd album is much more like the first. Let's hope so.

I really like both albums, I'm still (after all these years) not sure which one I like more.  But I do agree, their live show is top notch.  It's amazing to see what those 3 people can do.

[425]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

For Dream Team, I can recommend Neal Morse - One and Flying Colors - Second Nature.

This is really interesting and might be worth posting on the DT side if you haven't already. I find it interesting, especially in light of a recent conversation on here about the conflict between MP and the label for FII (and more generally about the influence of labels then and now), how much emphasis he put here on the decisions he now thinks the label made correctly for IAW

[TAC]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

Thank you so much for posting this. What a fantastic watch.

I remember that first tour, and opening with Metropolis was freaking incredible. The crowd was literally stunned.

[pg1067]

Yeah, John Arch is probably the greatest terrible singer of all time or something. He has an astoundingly awful voice but he somehow gets the job done!

I was really excited about the bonus live material that came with the anniversary edition of Awaken the Guardian...until I played them....

Yeah, John Arch is probably the greatest terrible singer of all time or something. He has an astoundingly awful voice but he somehow gets the job done!

 His approach to writing verses is "hey, let's see how many syllables we can fit in this bit right here!!!!"

Yup

[Dream Team]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

For Dream Team, I can recommend Neal Morse - One and Flying Colors - Second Nature.

This is really interesting and might be worth posting on the DT side if you haven't already. I find it interesting, especially in light of a recent conversation on here about the conflict between MP and the label for FII (and more generally about the influence of labels then and now), how much emphasis he put here on the decisions he now thinks the label made correctly for IAW

Pete’s always a great watch, he really knows his stuff and sometimes gets really good guests.

[TAC]

Pete’s always a great watch, he really knows his stuff and sometimes gets really good guests.

He has an excellent channel.

[KevShmev]

Mike makes a surprise appearance on Sea Tranquility to discuss Pete's obvious pick for #1 album of 1992. It's a solid 26-minute chat. Towards the end, we finally have some insight into how Mike felt seeing DT for the first time. Quite heartwarming.

https://youtu.be/OFTgT08cVFM

That was definitely a great watch, thanks for posting it!  Very nice chat.

[425]

Pete’s always a great watch, he really knows his stuff and sometimes gets really good guests.

He has an excellent channel.

I've never watched his material before, but I'm definitely going to watch more after that interview.

[Dream Team]

Pete’s always a great watch, he really knows his stuff and sometimes gets really good guests.

He has an excellent channel.

I've never watched his material before, but I'm definitely going to watch more after that interview.

Yeah he’s got album-ranking and Top 10 song ranking (often with guests), etc, on pretty much every known metal and hard rock band ever among a bunch of other good stuff.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I wonder what studio albums Mike will be part of this year. Aside from a potential Winery Dogs, which will likely come out in 2023 inly, I haven't heard of anything else.

[Kram]

I wonder what studio albums Mike will be part of this year. Aside from a potential Winery Dogs, which will likely come out in 2023 inly, I haven't heard of anything else.

He said in that video that he has a few things in the works that he can't talk about yet.  I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

[gzarruk]

I wonder what studio albums Mike will be part of this year. Aside from a potential Winery Dogs, which will likely come out in 2023 inly, I haven't heard of anything else.

He said in that video that he has a few things in the works that he can't talk about yet.  I wonder if he's a part of that new project that Eric Gillette is working on purportedly with Diego?

Don't think so, Simen Sandnes tracked drums for it, as far as I know.

[ProfessorPeart]

Well, MP just tested positive for Covid. Hoping he gets cleared before the tour.

[The Letter M]

Well, MP just tested positive for Covid. Hoping he gets cleared before the tour.

You mean the Transatlantic tour that starts in two weeks? Yikes...

-Marc.