The Winery Dogs thread - Portnoy, Sheehan and Kotzen

[ytserush]

Gotta give it to MP, if there's one thing he knows it's how to monetize.

He may have spoken with Belew about this on the cruise since he's ( along with a few Crims (Levin for one)) been doing it for a few years now.

[Madman Shepherd]

MP: "OK kids, I know you all have the same question: How do you become famous? The answer is easy, you find yourself someone who can write music. Right, Ritchie?"
Richie: "Err, what?!"
MP: "So yeah, as I was saying, you find yourself a John Petrucci, a Neal Morse, or if all fails a Richie Kotzen. Stay away from the Orlandos!"

Ouch.  Brutal man. 

[nobloodyname]

Seems like a good opportunity for those who can afford it. If I had the musical ability to make it worthwhile, I'd go.

While Richie Kotzen may not be an icon, he's a wonderfully talented musician who I'd gladly pay to learn from.

[RodrigoAltaf]

 If ithis event was cheap a lot of guys would be complaining here as well, saying MP is struggling for cash, and how he´s now a fallen hero and whatnot. I still can´t believe how much criticism he gets in this forum.

[rumborak]

There's something called middle ground. If this camp cost $200 I could see how people would be saying MP is strapped for cash. But, this event costs 10 times as much, per person. In my book, that kind of dough should get you a private lesson.

[Nick]

I have to think they are pretty much trying to keep numbers low on this. For comparison, PN14 cost far less than this. And I understand that this is geared towards improving aspiring musicians, but even to them I'd think it would be clear that PN14 had more value to it. I think if everyone and their brother was at this thing they wouldn't be able to give the kind of attention to anyone they seem to be implying, and as such are choosing to jack prices and keep numbers low, as opposed to the other way around.

[rumborak]

I was actually just watching a video of the King Crimson thing at the same resort. They had the same pricing.
In terms of numbers, they had 75 people there.

[Nick]

Sounds about right. And I'd think that's enough to keep it going and everyone happy.

[rumborak]

In the end, and that's what I gathered from the KC video, it's not so much about the transfer of knowledge anyway I think. Most attendants there were just elated to jam and chat with their heroes. I would imagine that the Winery Dogs thing will be similar.

[cyberdrummer]

The Winery Dogs playing Saturday at Sonisphere UK. The day before DT.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I´d choose to watch a Winery Dogs show instead of a DT show nowadays.

[Mindflux]

I´d choose to watch a Winery Dogs show instead of a DT show nowadays.

Why not both? They're on different days. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

Yeah,  but if I had to choose between the two...

[Mebert78]

Article Link: https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-the-winery-dogs-talk-about-first-ever-dog-camp/

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhClnCPoLeU

THE WINERY DOGS Talk About First-Ever 'Dog Camp'

Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen of THE WINERY DOGS have announced Dog Camp, their first annual immersive program for aspiring musicians of all ages and levels, set for July 21-25, 2014 at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York.

Produced by Dreamcatcher Events, this special vacation experience offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the three legends as campers attend instrument-specific clinics, learn songwriting mechanics, and enjoy very special intimate performances and jam sessions from THE WINERY DOGS and special guests.

A two-and-a-half-minute clip of Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen talking about Dog Camp can be seen below.

Tickets for Dog Camp are on sale now at www.winerydogcamp.com. Attendees will have access to all workshops, seminars, gourmet meals, performances, jam sessions, and camp activities.

"We've all done clinics over the years, but it's always been something that's primarily centered around one instrument that each of us has typically done on an individual basis," says drummer Portnoy. "Dog Camp is the first time that any of us have hosted or participated in a true 'Band Camp.' As a result of that, we've got some incredible surprises in store for everybody attending."

"We'll be living together, hanging together, and jamming together," Portnoy continues. "We want you to ask as many questions as possible, and we're going to engage you on a one-on-one basis to help you realize your goals as a player."

"What's interesting is to talk about music, concepts, objectives, reasons why you're playing the instrument, what you want to achieve, and how to get to that point, rather than talking about major versus minor scales," says lead vocalist/guitarist Kotzen. "I love that feeling of sharing concepts with people. In THE WINERY DOGS, we all have various experiences that a lot of other people don't have. It's an opportunity to share that and grow; the feeling of moving forward and learning and experiencing something new. That's what excites me about Dog Camp. It's the creative process and creativity that make me want to do music, and I want to share that."

"I want to emphasize that players should keep an eye on what we're doing and why during the performances," adds bassist Sheehan. "In between songs or mid-song, I want to stop to make a point about what's going on and why. The expertise of being able to play ensemble is a bit of a lost art with kids today. They don't do what we did when we were growing up. Right away, we just got in a band whether we could play or not. Now, kids want to get up to a level of expertise and then join a band."

"[During the seminars] I like to have back-and-forth communication," Sheehan continues. "I want to speak with people and hear their opinions, disagreements, and challenges. I believe anyone who attends will see a jumpstart in their quest to achieve their dreams."

Dog Camp offers a variety of pricing options, based on the variety of available accommodations. All activities will be held at Full Moon Resort, which features an eclectic array of comfortable, rustic country-inn accommodations as well as primitive tent camping. All accommodations are just steps away from daily camp activities. Guests can enjoy the spring-fed swimming pool, on-site access to the Esopus Creek, and explore the splendors of the Catskills on the nearby network of hiking trails. Dedicated to the celebration of nature, music and the arts, this one hundred-acre wonderland of mountains, fields, and streams is a world of its own.

[cramx3]

Bumping this.

I have heard of this band when they started, but for whatever reason never listened.  Their Unleashed in Japan DVD came upon as recommended in youtube for me while I was at work and figured Id listen while I worked... well I listened to the concert four times over the course of the day.  I really like this.  Its got some classic sounds mixed with a bit of modern rock.  Really groovey and of course the musicianship is off the charts here.  I was not familiar with Richie but I really like his vocals and his guitar playing (without a pick too).

[rumborak]

Somebody sent me this video today:

https://youtu.be/dQZxv1kdrvY

It's so weird how artists often kinda go off the deep end. A friend of mine is a semiprofessional singer/songwriter, and she totally believes in shakras and healing crystals.

[countoftuscany42]

wow, had no idea he was a scientologist (still is i assume?).  to his credit though, at least in the first video of that interview he is super respectful of everyone's differing opinion and is very calm.  its not like he's shoving his religion down your throat, so i can respect him for that, even if i don't have the same views

[Calvin6s]

I'm no fan of Scientology, but I have to say that Sheehan came off better than the people interrogating him.

[rumborak]

He was definitely very polite, but I kept wondering whether Scientology trains their "street workers" the same way Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons do. Always stay polite, calmly disagree, but don't let yourself get drawn into an actual argument. Like, the way he responded to that ex-Scientology women, who was confronting him with clearly true statements, made me sad for him. He looked like a minion, a mouthpiece for someone else.

[nobloodyname]

My jaw dropped, literally, watching the first part of that interview.

[Madman Shepherd]

Seems like a pretty nice guy.  The few scientologists I've met are pretty nice although we never talked religion.  He definitely wasn't very forthcoming. 

I only watched the first part of the interview but when he talked about the guy suffering from schitzophrenia and then said, "They were actually taking action that day" (that he murdered whoever that was..his mom?) and then was cut off as he said something along the lines of "some quiet place, in the country."  Ummm, being in a quiet place in the country does not cure mental illnesses (and yes, I'm aware they think mental illnesses don't exist or can be cured without medicine.)

[Mindflux]

https://loudandproudrecords.com/the-winery-dogs-continue-their-hot-streak-with-new-album-set-for-release-october-2nd-2015/

New album announced!

The HOT STREAK will continue this fall for THE WINERY DOGS (Richie Kotzen-lead vocals/guitar, Mike Portnoy-drums, Billy Sheehan-bass).  Their second appropriately titled, self-produced studio album, HOT STREAK, is set for release October 2 on Loud & Proud Records via RED (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and in the rest of the world via earMUSIC. It will be preceded by the first single, “Oblivion,” set for release August 25 at radio.  A double vinyl edition of the new album is also in the works and is due out in early November.

After playing over 100 shows in support of their self-titled debut album, THE WINERY DOGS are eager to head back out on the road to get behind HOT STREAK. Their first round of U.S. headlining tour dates will kick off October 3 in Ridgefield, CT at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Shows around the globe are already being planned for 2016.

HOT STREAK shows the powerfully pedigreed trio’s initial burst of collective chemistry was no accident, from the strum and headbang of “Captain Love” to the propulsive uplifting vibe of “The Bridge” to the introspective acoustic harmonic convergence of “Fire.” If these three Dogs thought they captured lightning in a supper dish the first time around, HOT STREAK barks ups the aural ante into exciting new territory.

“I feel we’ve taken the band to another level,” explains Richie Kotzen. “The compositions are stronger on this album. I feel more connected lyrically and musically to what I did on this record than on the last one. We’ve widened the musical scope of the band on this record and moved it forward.”

Mike Portnoy continues, “Everything on this album was more of a collaboration than on the first album. There’s just a natural chemistry. The three of us really mesh very, very well, both musically and personally. The mission of this band is to write catchy songs, and not have the musicianship overpower that.”

“I’m glad we’re not playing it safe and just doing songs that automatically fit in the category of what we did on the first record,” Billy Sheehan concludes. “Some of them are a little different, and we definitely took chances. And you have to do that — otherwise, you don’t grow.”

The trio first exploded onto the Rock scene with their self-titled, self-produced and critically acclaimed debut album that was released July 23, 2013 on Loud & Proud Records and a sold-out worldwide tour.  THE WINERY DOGS debuted on Billboard’s “Top Alternative Albums” chart at #3, “Top Independent Albums” chart at #4, “Top Rock Albums” chart at #5, “Top Internet Albums” at #8 and “Top 200 Albums” chart at #27.

Here’s the complete track listing for HOT STREAK:

01. Oblivion
02. Captain Love
03. Hot Streak
04. How Long
05. Empire
06. Fire
07. Ghost Town
08. The Bridge
09. War Machine
10. Spiral
11. Devil You Know
12. Think It Over
13. The Lamb
Check out THE WINERY DOGS at any of the following tour stops:

DATE CITY VENUE

Sat 10/3 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
Sun 10/4 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak
Mon 10/5 – Boston, MA – Wilbur Theater
Thu 10/8 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater
Fri 10/9 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Sat 10/10 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
Mon 10/12 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Wed 10/14 – Jacksonville, – FL Ponte Verde Concert Hall
Thu 10/15 – Tampa, FL – State Theater
Fri 10/16 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
Sat 10/17 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
Tue 10/22 – Nashville, TN – Wildhorse Saloon
Thu 10/22 – Houston, TX – Pub Fountains
Fri 10/23 – Ardmore, OK – Heritage Hall
Sat 10/24 – Dallas, TX – The Gas Monkey
Tue 10/27 – Milwaukee, WI – Potowatami Casino
Wed 10/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Potowatami Casino
Thu 10/29 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theater
Sat 10/31  – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Mon 11/2 – San Jose, CA – Rock Bar
Tue 11/3 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
Thu 11/5 – Agoura Hills, CA – Canyon Club
Fri 11/6 – Beverly Hills, CA –  Saban Theater
Sat 11/7 – Las Vegas, NV – Vamp’d
Sun 11/8 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

[goo-goo]

Not liking the artwork at all but will be getting this one the first day it comes out. The debut was pretty rocking!

[Deathless]

That artwork is awful. I'm sure the music will make me quickly forget about it though! 

[Mindflux]

That artwork is awful. I'm sure the music will make me quickly forget about it though! 

It is awful. The music is what counts.

[Phoenix87x]

God, that artwork...

WOW

excited for the music though

[cramx3]

lol at the artwork too, but Im excited for this album and to see them on tour

[jingle.boy]

Concept of the artwork isn't so bad... execution on the other hand.

[kaos2900]

Agree on the artwork. Terrible. Easily the worst I've seen on an MP project. Though the music will kick ass I'm sure.

[mikeyd23]

Yea, that's a bad Photoshop job, . Looking forward to hearing what they came up with though. I thought the first album was pretty cool, but it didn't have much staying power with me. Hopefully this second album improves in that regard.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Elevate, Desire, and Six Feet Deeper still get regular rotation from me on the jukebox at our Thursday night watering hole.  Looking forward to hearing more.

[rumborak]

The artwork is bad, but what gets me is the album title. "Hot streak"?! Sounds like an 80s album title.

The artwork reminds me a lot of the Omerta one. Gambling imagery, with dude holding a playing card into the camera.

[Art]

Wow that´s bad artwork 

But i´m sure the songs will be awesome as the first record, so, who cares?

[mike099]

I was surprised to see them coming to my home town of Nashville, TN.  I have never been to the Wildhorse, but have heard the venue has great sound.  Appears to be a typo on the Nashville date.  Nashville and Houston are listed as 10-22.  Will need to leave the wife home for this one.  I do not believe she will be able to handle it.

[ErHaO]

Man, that cover... With photoshop even I can probably fix it to look better. The concept is good, but indeed, the image as is just looks off and faked.

Still, looking forward to this very much. I love the first album quite a bit.