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MIKE PORTNOY Interviewed By PROG ROCKS (Video)

October 24, 2013

Drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, TRANSATLANTIC, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) was interviewed by Prog Rocks at the 2013 Progressive Music Awards on September 3 at London, England's Kew Gardens. Mike talked about his album influences, compared progressive music of today to yesteryear and answered some questions from Prog Rocks. You can now watch the chat below.

THE WINERY DOGS is the power trio featuring Portnoy, legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH) and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON).

THE WINERY DOGS' self-titled debut album sold around 10,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released in North America on July 23 via Loud & Proud Records and in Japan on May 15 via Victor Entertainment, the CD was mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, ADRENALINE MOB, STONE SOUR and STEEL PANTHER.

Regarding the songwriting process for THE WINERY DOGS' album, Portnoy told Hardrock Haven: "We didn't have any preconceived goals or direction. Even the style wasn't discussed. Within ten minutes of sitting in the same room together, we immediately started writing incredibly, quickly and naturally within the first ten minutes we started writing the songs. Over the course of a couple of days, this music was just falling out of us incredibly quickly. It was just very natural colaborating and putting ideas on the table. It was very organic and quick."

Asked how he would describe THE WINERY DOGS' sound, Portnoy said: "I would describe it as a great classic rock band. It has all of the elements that the three of us grew up listening to. Bands like THE WHO and THE [ROLLING] STONES, [LED] ZEPPELIN. It has some twists and turns by maybe some ALICE IN CHAINS and SOUNDGARDEN. But really, it is a straight-up rock band with great songs, great playing and great vocal hooks. It is what it is. It is just the three of us."

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