THE WINERY DOGS On Band's Formation, Chart Success (Video)

Artisan News recently conducted an interview with THE WINERY DOGS, the power trio featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB),legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH) and guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON). You can now watch the chat below.

The self-titled debut album from THE WINERY DOGS 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.

"The Winery Dogs" was 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. Sheehan previously stated about the effort: "I'm really pleased with it. Richie sang his ass off and played amazingly unique stuff, and, of course Mike annihilated on drums. [It's a] really cool, unique record."

"In all of my years in this business, I've always been part of either a progressive band or a metal band," said Portnoy. "This is the first time I've been in an all-original band that's just a rock band in the vein of LED ZEPPELIN or VAN HALEN."

He added: "It's so refreshing to just play straight-ahead music with lots of twists. Obviously, the musicianship is great in this band, but it's very song-oriented."

Regarding how THE WINERY DOGS got its name, Portnoy said: "It was Richie's name. We had a list of about 50 names. I had about 10 that I preferred over THE WINERY DOGS, but you know, when you're in a band, you have to give and take and choose your battles, and Richie really, really loved this band name. So, you know, it was, like, 'OK.' A name is a name. If you feel that strongly about it, then go for it. So that's who we are."

"The Winery Dogs" track listing:

CD:

01. Elevate
02. Desire
03. We Are One
04. I'm No Angel
05. The Other Side
06. You Saved Me
07. Not Hopeless
08. One More Time
09. Damaged
10. Six Feet Deeper
11. Criminal
12. The Dying
13. Regret

DVD (limited edition, only available in Japan):

01. Elevate
02. Desire
03. I'm No Angel

THE WINERY DOGS will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, August 14 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with THE WINERY DOGS by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The show will be streamed on the "Rockline" web site for two weeks beginning the afternoon after the live broadcast.