The Winery Dogs thread - Portnoy, Sheehan and Kotzen

[ytserush]

Still haven't listened to the 3rd one yet. but I'm listening to Hot Streak for the last several hours and I still dig it. I love the musicianship nuggets which are all over the place  Not really a fan of Ritchie Kotzen other than maybe the fusion album he did in the mid-90's but I think his voice suits the music which to me sounds fresh and inspiring in a way that Sons Of Apollo wasn't. Billy Sheehan is all over the record too, but I guess he'd have to be in a power trio.

[HOF]

I've given it 4-5 full spins now, and I think it's an enjoyable listen most of the way through. There really is some great playing here, and Richie seems to be especially on fire when soloing. I think the weak spot is in the lyrics mainly. Some real throwaway lyrics on tracks like Xanadu, Gaslight, and Pharoah. "I'm cocked like a pimp I've got game, game, game" might be one of the funniest things a 52 year old man* ever sang. But my overall impression of the album is positive. I think Mad World, Breakthrough, Stars, Lorelei, and The Red Wine are all strong tracks. The Vengeance is pretty cool too.

*Hard to believe it's been 7+ years since the last Winery Dogs album, when Richie famously sang "I'm 45, but I'm 18 in the clutch." 

[nobloodyname]

I'm not particularly invested in lyrics usually but perhaps the 'I'm 45 but I'm 18 in the clutch' was written from the perspective of a character? A bit like Steven Wilson singing his Xbox is a god to him when he's never touched an Xbox in his life.

[HOF]

I'm not particularly invested in lyrics usually but perhaps the 'I'm 45 but I'm 18 in the clutch' was written from the perspective of a character? A bit like Steven Wilson singing his Xbox is a god to him when he's never touched an Xbox in his life.

I think it’s more just trying to come up with some cheesy rock lyrics on purpose. The age lines up at least! I make fun, but he has written some great lyrics in the past. I think these ones are more just trying to have fun.

[ReaperKK]

There really is some great playing here, and Richie seems to be especially on fire when soloing. I think the weak spot is in the lyrics mainly.

I agree about the playing being great it's just too much noodling in the songs (I get the irony here being a DT fan). The songs feels like a bunch of noodles tossed together with lyrics trying to convince you Richie doesn't have erectile dysfunction.

[HOF]

There really is some great playing here, and Richie seems to be especially on fire when soloing. I think the weak spot is in the lyrics mainly.

I agree about the playing being great it's just too much noodling in the songs (I get the irony here being a DT fan). The songs feels like a bunch of noodles tossed together with lyrics trying to convince you Richie doesn't have erectile dysfunction.

 

[Stadler]

Lyrics don't matter unless and until they matter.  There are guys that can sell "I'm 45 but 18 in the clutch" and some that can't. It's like anything else; I think Stevie Van Zandt looks cool AF in a bandanna, and Danny Coker looks like a desperate tool. 

For whatever reason, maybe it's music behind it, but I thought those lyrics failed miserably with Adrenaline Mob, and while I don't spend a ton of time with The Winery Dogs, they don't seem to work for me there either.

[cramx3]

While I think some of the lyrics are pretty cheesy, I think they kind of fit the band.  They advertise themselves as Dogs so that type of attitude seems to match what they are trying to convey.  Having said that, only Ritchie really comes off as that type of personality though. 

[nobloodyname]

I hate to be base about it but if I was married to Richie's wife, I'm pretty sure I'd feel 18 in the clutch

[cramx3]

Considering the guy got kicked out of Poison for banging Rikki Rockett's fiance at the time, I think it takes a certain type of personality to do both that and write these lyircs 

[ReaperKK]

I think that might be it, to me Richie doesn't have the swagger to sell the lyrics. It's certainly not vince neil levels bad

Who knows maybe he'll make me feel 18 again when I see them in a few months.

[hefdaddy42]

Listened over the weekend.

Like the other Winery Dogs releases, fun but not great.  Probably a good live band, I would imagine, and I would definitely see them live given the opportunity.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Seeing them at the Keswick on Friday. Anybody heard anything about an opening band?

Turns out it's Frankenstein 3000 for this and, I think, Patchogue.

[ProfessorPeart]

Still haven't heard the new one but I discovered that District 97 is opening for them at The Arcada. Very happy about that. Be my second time seeing The Dogs and my third seeing D97.

[cramx3]

I'd be happy with District 97, but never heard of Frankenstein 3000.  I don't see anyone listed as an opener for the NYC date that I'll be at.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Does anyone know what was the setlist of the first show of the tour?

[axeman90210]

Does anyone know what was the setlist of the first show of the tour?

According to Setlist FM the first show is tonight.

[cramx3]

I gave a bunch more listens since my last opinion on III.

It's a decent album, but it's lacking standout tracks.  There's lots of awesome instrumental parts and a few songs that overall I really enjoy (Stars, Breakthrough, The Red Wine) but most of the songs don't really stand out too much.  I think the chorus of Stars is the only real ear worm I get when listening to the album. 

I'd have to say, it seems pretty safe to say this is my least favorite of the 3 albums, but I woulnd't consider it a bad album at all, just kind of a let down for me.

I'm curious which new songs get played, I think it's obvious Xanadu and Mad World will be played, because I think the live versions could be a lot more enjoyable as I know for a fact, these three guys on stage put on a great show.  I'm just not sure that will elevate my opinion of the album to be better than the first two though.

[HOF]

I think for the kind of album it is, 3 or 4 tracks that are a bit more significant along with a bunch of enjoyable if not particularly deep rockers is fine. I’ve enjoyed it every time I’ve gone through it. It may never be a particular favorite by them or anybody, but it’s worth having if you like this kind of music I think.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Frankenstein 3000 sounds like Faster Pussycat meets Black Crowes. I dig it.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I gave a bunch more listens since my last opinion on III.

It's a decent album, but it's lacking standout tracks.  There's lots of awesome instrumental parts and a few songs that overall I really enjoy (Stars, Breakthrough, The Red Wine) but most of the songs don't really stand out too much.  I think the chorus of Stars is the only real ear worm I get when listening to the album. 

I'd have to say, it seems pretty safe to say this is my least favorite of the 3 albums, but I woulnd't consider it a bad album at all, just kind of a let down for me.

I'm curious which new songs get played, I think it's obvious Xanadu and Mad World will be played, because I think the live versions could be a lot more enjoyable as I know for a fact, these three guys on stage put on a great show.  I'm just not sure that will elevate my opinion of the album to be better than the first two though.

I have a friend with your exact opinion. He thinks it's the third best in their discography, but it's still good.

[countoftuscany42]

Call it an educated hunch, but i think we'll be seeing west coast dates announced in the not too distant future 

[cramx3]

Call it an educated hunch, but i think we'll be seeing west coast dates announced in the not too distant future 

Yup, MP tweeted the US west coast dates will be announced soon and they will take place this May

[Dr. DTVT]

I’m at opening night of the tour.  The mix of shirts here is interesting to say the least.  My favorite is one a woman is wearing that says “I’m only here because my husband drags me to these damn metal shows”. 

[ReaperKK]

I've seen a similar shirt a DT show. Enjoy DTVT!

[devieira73]

Does anyone know what was the setlist of the first show of the tour?

According to Setlist FM the first show is tonight.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-winery-dogs/2023/the-palace-theatre-greensburg-pa-33bab845.html

[cramx3]

Solid set, playing the songs I like the most on III.

[devieira73]

Indeed a nice selection from the new album.

[DTwwbwMP]

Solid set. I could change 2 or 3 out for others (Damaged, Regret, Hot Streak), but that's just my personal opinion.

[Dr. DTVT]

The opening band, We Came From Space, wasn't the best stylistic match for the show, but I really liked their set.  Ended up buying their albums.  It's got Bill Hubauer, so that should be a solid endorsement if you like his work in The Neal Morse Band.

I went to the show mostly for Portnoy and Sheehan, as I only had the first album and it didn't move the needle for me when I bought it 11 years ago, and didn't do much for me when I revisited it a few weeks ago.  My thoughts were - World class drummer and bass player with some dude who was in Poison after their hayday, just an excuse for Mike to play some straight forward rock.  Richie impressed me last night with his playing.  The Winery Dogs probably aren't ever going to be a top 5 MP act for me just because I want something more proggy or metal, but they put on a hell of a show even though Mike seemed the most subdued of the bunch. 

[DTwwbwMP]

videos from Penns Peak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExWj2oLjrVo&t=134s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3JIedeIUwk&list=UULFba2-gANDSwZcW7xB9igAHQ&index=9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0l4r3QuWdE&list=UULFba2-gANDSwZcW7xB9igAHQ&index=11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZM6D55VbtM&list=UULFba2-gANDSwZcW7xB9igAHQ&index=10

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Anyone here do the meet-and-greet for the show?

[axeman90210]

Anyone here do the meet-and-greet for the show?

I was curious when I saw them announce they were offering one, but nope'd out hard at the price

[TAC]

Anyone here do the meet-and-greet for the show?

I was curious when I saw them announce they were offering one, but nope'd out hard at the price

How much was it and what do you get?

[ReaperKK]

I just looked it up and it's $300, for that you get:

VIP Experience includes:

Private Soundcheck Viewing
Tour VIP Laminate and Lanyard
Autographed Poster
8x10 Photo
Meet & Greet with The Winery Dogs
ONE personal photo opportunity with The Winery Dogs

Edit: this is for the local show near me in Charlotte