By Danny Coleman
originally published: 01/08/2016
Looking back at some memorable shows from 2015, The Winery Dogs at The Starland Ballroom in Sayerville, NJ has to rank among the best of the year. The opening act of Kicking Harold did a fantastic job setting the tone and the rest as they, "Was History."
Currently on a brief hiatus prior to the start of the European leg of their tour in support of their latest studio disc, "Hot Streak;" this trio of highly successful musicians just put the wraps on a torrid few months of criss-crossing the U.S. to enthusiastic crowds and rave reviews and the Starland Ballroom show was no exception.
"Oblivion" got things started as their initial one hour and twenty five minute set started at 10:33 p.m. High energy was the theme from the get go as the trio seemed loose and in a take no prisoners mode.
"Captain Love" (featuring some searing guitar work by Kotzen),"We Are The One," and the title cut from their latest album; "Hot Streak," which was prefaced by a smiling Kotzen asking the crowd, "Do you feel like going on a hot streak?" This tune featured a sweet bass interlude where the monster that is Billy Sheehan went off on a tangent; ripping off riff after riff after Kotzen once again dazzled with some nice guitar work.
Now officially cooking with high heat, the title track was just the beginning as it segued into "How Long and then "Time Machine." After a brief toweling off and some banter with the crowd; "Empire" was the next in line to rock the audiences collective socks off.
The frantic pace gave way to the ballad "Fire," which was the first of two selections highlighting Kotzen's talents. "Think It Over" featured Richie at the electric piano in a mellow presentation that had the house swaying `and drinking in every drop of this soft drink the band offered up.
That was short lived however, as Mike Portnoy (who had been putting on a clinic all night) pounded out a drum solo that wowed the crowd as only he can. More than one voice was overheard saying at the moment and on the way out, "Portnoy's solo; that's why we came. Absolutely amazing."
Billy Sheehan is known for his legendary live performances and the bass solo which was the filling between "The Other Side" and "Not Hopeless" did nothing to tarnish that reputation. The aggressive style, coupled with the effects and Sheehan's relentless attacking of his instrument for nearly seven straight minutes drew major ovations from the ravenous fan base.
Another quick breather led to Kotzen explaining that the next selection was based loosely on his childhood residence as he lamented, "Living in kind of a dead end place," just before they launched into "Ghost Town." A near seamless transition into the hard driving semi-ballad "I'm No Angel" was a nice foundation for the finale; "Desire."
The encore saw Kotzen once again return to electric piano for "Regret" and "Elevate." The choice of the calmer "Regret" was a nice change of pace after the high of "Desire" but when this gave way to the driving "Elevate;" the crowd was quickly head bobbing, fist pumping once again.
The 12 minute encore ended with high fives, handshakes and much interaction with those in the front row along with the promise of a return visit in the future and if such is the case; don't miss it.
Photo Credit: Tom Callan
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Take Five
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Maunikita
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Group feat. Billy Hill
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Fool Me Once, Kylan Hillman, Shy Shape, Deeply Woven, The Holland Tunnel. All ages, $10
Sat. 6 p.m. B Luckz Kon, Casso Kon, God Yasin, Neechi The Profit, Young Flak,Afriking, Bizzy Brown, Burgandy Bal, Jai Hoffa, Q'moshyn, Mr. Frickle, J Legacy, Music & Sound by: TDogg, Hip Hop By: Dawnie Blue and Drea. All ages, $10
Sun. 5 p.m. Bahscumbag, Mercy Blow, Guttersnipe, Dissent, Wastelands, Vengeance, Garland Green. All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Monnette Sudler Guitar Quartet (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8 p.m. "Kansan Tribute" w/ Know Return. Doors at 6 p.m., $15
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Moroccan Sheepherders
Sun. 4 p.m. Ash
Wed. 8 p.m. "An Evening With Tim Reynolds" / Dave Cahill. Doors at 6 p.m., $35
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Thurs. Jazz" feat. Alex Otey Trio
Fri. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Sat. 6 p.m. Thieves & Poets
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Ambience The Duo
Hurricane Jacks Bar7759 New Falls Rd. Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Fri. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Sat. 9 p.m. Jim Mitchell & The Repeat Offenders
Tues. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Mr. Lucky
Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Holiday Hangover" Comedy Show
Fri. 9 p.m. Moonbreaker
Sat. 3 p.m. Gleason's Drift
Sun. 3 p.m. Anthony Sacchetti
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Fri. 10 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Wed. 10 p.m. "Saturday Night Party" w/ Dueling DJs
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Check web site for upcoming events
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Williamsboy w/ Scott Joseph
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Steve Sereduk
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7 p.m. Acoustic Martin & Company
Sat. 8 p.m. Raven Rock Rounder
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "Michael Toft Birthday Bash" w/ Kevin Toft & The All Stars
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check website for upcoming events.
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. Mike & Joe Acoustic
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. Papa Delux & The Main Street Groove
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 1 p.m. Frank Secich (Book signing). All ages, FREE ADMISSION.
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Sat. 9 p.m. Strictly 60's Band
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. "Jeff's Birthday Bash" w/ Never Enough
Sat. 9 p.m. Stone Dead
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. Ryche Chlanda
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Taylor Reed
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Driftwood Soldier. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Mammal Dap. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
