RICHIE KOTZEN To Release 'Venom' Single, Video

Guitarist Richie Kotzen (THE WINERY DOGS, POISON, MR. BIG) is filming a video for his upcoming single, "Venom", today in the Los Angeles area. The official release date for the song has not yet been announced.

Kotzen recently told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation" that he is working on material for a possible new solo album. "I think that's what's happening," he said. "I just have such a relaxed attitude about it, which I think is kind of good. Only 'cause I have so many records that I've put out — be it with bands or solo or whatever — so I don't feel like I'm under any kind of pressure to have to make a record, 'cause I have enough material that I can keep touring and change the show. Each time I do a tour, I could do a different show. But I do have a couple of new songs, and I have one that I really like that I think would be a great candidate to lead the record with. So I'm gonna make a video for that, and probably hang on to that until I feel like either I have a record, or if I don't, I'll just put out a single."

Kotzen released two singles in 2018 — "The Damned" and "Riot". The tracks feature his longtime bassist Dylan Wilson and drummer Mike Bennett.

Richie's most recent solo album, "Salting Earth", was made available in April 2017 via his own custom label, Headroom-Inc.

Inspired by KISS, Kotzen picked up the guitar at the age of seven. He recorded his first solo album at 19 and was playing with POISON by the time he was 21, replacing C.C. DeVille. He co-wrote and played on the gold-certified POISON album "Native Tongue", which showcased his evolving shredding style. After a stint in MR. BIG in the late '90s, Kotzen recorded several successful solo albums before joining rock supergroup THE WINERY DOGS with drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Billy Sheehan in 2013.

Kotzen will re-team with Sheehan and Portnoy for a month-long American tour with THE WINERY DOGS this spring.