# The Winery Dogs

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American hard rock band

The Winery Dogs The Winery Dogs performing in 2020 Background information Genres Hard rock, blues rock, progressive rock Years active 2012 (2012)–present Labels WHD, Loud & Proud, earMUSIC Spinoffs Sons of Apollo Spinoff of Mr. Big Members Mike Portnoy Billy Sheehan Richie Kotzen

**The Winery Dogs** are an American [hard rock](/source/Hard_rock) [supergroup](/source/Supergroup_(music)) formed in 2012. It consists of [Mike Portnoy](/source/Mike_Portnoy) (drums), [Billy Sheehan](/source/Billy_Sheehan) (bass), and [Richie Kotzen](/source/Richie_Kotzen) (vocals and guitar).

## Background

The band was conceived by drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Billy Sheehan, who were aiming to form a [power trio](/source/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](/source/John_Sykes), talk show host [Eddie Trunk](/source/Eddie_Trunk) heard about it and suggested Richie Kotzen, who had previously played with Sheehan in the band [Mr. Big](/source/Mr._Big_(American_band)) from 1997 to 2002.

The three musicians got together at Richie Kotzen's studio in Los Angeles[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] and at the end of the [jam session](/source/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 Mr. Big, [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai), [David Lee Roth](/source/David_Lee_Roth), [Talas](/source/Talas_(band)), and [Sons of Apollo](/source/Sons_of_Apollo). Mike Portnoy is known for being the original drummer of [Dream Theater](/source/Dream_Theater), [Flying Colors](/source/Flying_Colors_(band)), [Transatlantic](/source/Transatlantic_(band)), [Neal Morse Band](/source/Neal_Morse_Band), Sons of Apollo and [Adrenaline Mob](/source/Adrenaline_Mob).[1]

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

[The band's self-titled debut album](/source/The_Winery_Dogs_(album)) was released in Japan on May 5, 2013 through [Victor](/source/Victor_Entertainment) 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](/source/Hot_Streak_(album))*, 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]

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]

The band's third album, *III*, was released on February 3, 2023.[11] The Winery Dogs conducted a world tour from February to November 2023 in the US, Latin America, and the EU/UK regions.

## Band members

- [Richie Kotzen](/source/Richie_Kotzen) – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano (2012–present)

- [Billy Sheehan](/source/Billy_Sheehan) – bass, backing vocals (2012–present)

- [Mike Portnoy](/source/Mike_Portnoy) – drums, backing vocals (2012–present)

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 Released: May 5 (Japan) July 23 (Worldwide) Label: Loud & Proud Format: Digital download, CD, LP 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

- *[Dog Years](/source/Dog_Years_(EP))* (2017)

### Live albums

- *Unleashed in Japan 2013* (2013)

- *Dog Years: Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016* (2017)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["The Winery Dogs Discuss Formation of Band, Debut Album + More"](http://loudwire.com/the-winery-dogs-formation-band-debut-album-more/). *Loudwire*. July 22, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-blabbermouth_2-0)** ["The Winery Dogs - 'Elevate' video released"](http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=189044). Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved April 26, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Joe Bosso (July 19, 2013). ["Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen talk The Winery Dogs CD track-by-track"](http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/mike-portnoy-billy-sheehan-and-richie-kotzen-talk-the-winery-dogs-cd-track-by-track-580388/1). Music Radar. Retrieved July 19, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Winery Dogs Begin Recording Sophomore Album"](http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-winery-dogs-begin-recording-sophomore-album/#4fvvhaDJjhB4ZIeK.99). *[Blabbermouth.net](/source/Blabbermouth.net)*. June 2, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Mike Portnoy offers Winery Dogs new album update"](http://progreport.com/mike-portnoy-offers-winery-dogs-new-album-update/). *ProgReport*. June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Henne, Bruce (July 3, 2015). ["Winery Dogs album due ahead of October tour"](http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-07-04/winery-dogs-album-due-ahead-of-october-tour). *[Classic Rock](/source/Classic_Rock_(magazine))*. Team Rock. Retrieved July 7, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Hot Streak by The Winery Dogs: Amazon.co.uk: Music"](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hot-Streak-Winery-Dogs/dp/B0141OZ0SC/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1440607796&sr=1-3&keywords=the+winery+dogs). Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["A Camp with Bite: The Winery Dogs' First-Ever Dog Camp — Review"](http://www.guitarworld.com/camp-bite-winery-dogs-first-ever-dog-camp-review). Guitarworld.com. Retrieved September 29, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Richie Kotzen: The winery dogs are taking a break"](https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/richie_kotzen_the_winery_dogs_are_taking_a_break.html). Retrieved April 9, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Mike Portnoy [@MikePortnoy] (December 5, 2018). ["The Winery Dogs - Who Let The Dogs Out 2019 US Tour"](https://twitter.com/MikePortnoy/status/1070362275024916481) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["THE WINERY DOGS Announce 'III' Album, Early 2023 Tour"](https://blabbermouth.net/news/the-winery-dogs-announce-iii-album-early-2023-tour). [Blabbermouth.net](/source/Blabbermouth.net). November 21, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["THE WINERY DOGS' Self-Titled Album Debuts At #5 On Billboard's Rock Chart"](http://www.bravewords.com/news/208212). Bravewords.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-The_Winery_Dogs_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-The_Winery_Dogs_13-1) ["The Winery Dogs"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130927075221/http://loudandproudrecords.com/artists/the-winery-dogs/). Loud And Proud Records. April 15, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://loudandproudrecords.com/artists/the-winery-dogs/) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Finnish charts portal"](http://finnishcharts.com/search.asp?search=winery+dogs&cat=a). finnishcharts.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["ザ・ワイナリー・ドッグスの作品"](http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/586511/products/release/). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). Retrieved February 8, 2023.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [The Winery Dogs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Winery_Dogs).

- [Official website](http://www.thewinerydogs.com)

- [The Winery Dogs](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0003111403) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier))

v t e The Winery Dogs Mike Portnoy Billy Sheehan Richie Kotzen Studio albums The Winery Dogs Hot Streak Extended plays Dog Years Related articles Mr. Big Niacin Flying Colors Transatlantic Poison Adrenaline Mob Dream Theater Sons of Apollo

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Winery Dogs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winery_Dogs) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winery_Dogs?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.