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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...9/24/15


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 09/24/2015

"It's alive! It's alive! It is alive!" A famous quote from the movie "Frankenstein," where a supposed mad doctor creates a human being from multiple parts of deceased others and brings it to life with a power surge from a lightning strike. Today's music climate sees multiple artists forming "Franken-bands" as they are varying from their main or defunct groups to collaborate in side projects.

One of these mixed bags is comprised of Dream Theater alumni Mike Portnoy on drums, bassist Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai, David Lee Roth) and former Poison guitarist and longtime Mr Big mainstay Richie Kotzen; who together form; The Winery Dogs. "The chemistry in this band is, umm, interesting," said Kotzen with a laugh as he elaborated on the personalities which are what he considers the band's strong point. "We all have very different strengths and styles. We don't all always agree but when we do find common ground it becomes The Winery Dogs."

The Winery Dogs grew from the efforts of Portnoy and Sheehan. The two were working together late in 2011 but utilizing the talents of another guitarist. Reports have it that the trio didn't mesh as well as hoped and Kotzen had been suggested by a friend of the duo, the rest as they say; is history.

The trio first got together in January of 2012 and in their first meeting wrote three songs. One month later they returned for a second time and wrote five additional tunes; they all clicked and knew that they had something special. "When we're together in a room," explains Kotzen; "We come up with skeletons of songs. We probably have about God knows how many songs we've started or tried or are in the concept mode. We find it also depends on what we were listening to at the time or the night before. Like if I'm listening to R & B, my style tends to reflect that or if Mike is listening to whatever he was into at the moment or Billy; it comes out and hopefully we can make it work or blend it into something."

October 2 the band plans on releasing their second studio disc titled, "Hot Streak," followed by a tour which kicks off on October 3 in Ridgefield, CT. "The title comes from a song on the record and we feel it shows the evolution of the band; it also resonated with me for some reason," says an excited Kotzen who, as he laughed added, "It also describes the attitude of the band, especially on stage; we're a bunch of hot dogs!"



 


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Kotzen says that this tour and the record release are "Big Stuff" for the band and hopefully for the fans as well. "Oh yeah this is big stuff for us! The new record is coming out and we really feel that we've outdid ourselves. This is a bigger record, we took more chances, my producer is very excited and we are anxious to play the new material for our fan base. We've been playing "Oblivion" for a while and it's been going over well so we're pretty excited."

Along with the scheduled release and coinciding tour, Kotzen is releasing a live DVD from his solo tour; also on October 2. "I'm going to get it all out there," he stated with confidence. "Besides The Winery Dogs, I have no other bands. Mike is always touring with somebody, Billy is involved with some other things and me; I'm not really a multiple band guy. I did a stint with Poison and of course with Mr Big but it's The Winery Dogs for me right now and that's it; I can't be in several bands at one time. If not with these guys, I'd be doing my solo thing. I love to write and record and tour and I'm very excited to release the DVD with our CD."

A native of northeastern Pennsylvania, Kotzen says that the band loves playing Philadelphia, New York City and Los Angeles since they have "Home town connections" to these cities but loves how the band has been received throughout the country. Claiming that the fans will determine the length of the tour, Richie and the band know that regardless of the outcome, those who come to the shows are in for a high energy, good time. "Well, hopefully the fans will love the new record and more shows will be added and we'll tour far into 2016; so it all depends on them really. It could happen that way or they hate the new record and we go home (laughs). Now if that happens then I'll probably take a year off or maybe I'll make another record; I don't know. I do know this; we are ready to tour, we are anxious to hit the road and play the new material and we're going to give it our best every night!"

"Hot Streak" is a 13 track effort on the Loud and Proud label. To discover more about the upcoming release and tour; please go to www.thewinerydogs.com.

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!


THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS:


Alchemist & Barrister


28 Witherspoon Street Princeton


(609) 924-5555


Thurs. 9 p.m. "Thursday Jazz" feat.  Keith Franklin Trio


Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham


All shows 21+


Amalfi's Restaurant


146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville


(609) 912-1599


Fri 8:30 p.m. Papa Delux & MSG


Sat. 8:30 p.m. Ron Kraemer


Amarones Windsor Inn


29 Church St. Windsor


(609) 448-7144


 Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D


Sat. 8 p.m. Sounds Of The Street


Blend Bar & Bistro


911 Highway 33, Hamilton


(609) 245-8887


 Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam 


The Backstage at Championship Bar 


931 Chambers St. Trenton


Fri. 6 p.m. "Nice Guy Booking and Headbang For The Highway Present: The Battle For Knotfest Day 1" feat. The Blessing Of This Curse, Proletariat, Premonitions, Enemy Within, NoraStone, (TBA).  All ages, $15


Sat. 6 p.m.  "Nice Guy Booking and Headbang For The Highway Present: The Battle For Knotfest Day 2" feat. Suicide Conspiracy, Throat, Lethal  Affection, Common Wealth, Unholy Dispute, Stealing Fame, (TBA). All ages, $15


Candlelight Lounge 

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612


Sat. 3 p.m. Jullian Pressley Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)


Chickie's & Pete's


183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown


(609) 298-9182


 Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs


Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night


Dog & Bull Brew House


810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.


(215) 788-2855


Thurs. 8 p.m. Twin Ghost


Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (9 p.m.) Vic's Mix


Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Deb & Mike


Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale jazz Duo (3 p.m.) Kevin Toft & The All Stars


Mon. 8 p.m. Dustin Beck


Tues. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus


Wed. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan


Fran's Pub


116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.


(215)862-5539


Sat 8 p.m. Catch 5


Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam


All shows 21+  


Halo Pub


4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square


(609) 586-1811


Sat. 7 p.m. Paul Plumeri Joe Kramer Jerry Monk 


Havana New Hope

105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa. 

(215) 862-9897


Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party


Fri. 8 p.m. Sammy Flow / Paul Plumeri Band


Sat. 8:30 p.m. An Evening With Ace Frehley. Ages 21+, Doors at 6 p.m., $55 (general admission)


Sun. (1 p.m.) "Wounded Warrior Project Benefit and Carlos Del Catilla Tribute" (6:30 p.m.) JB Kline CD Release Party


Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron


Wed. Pat Foran and Friends


Hopewell Valley Vineyards


46 Yard Rd. Pennington


(609) 737-4465


Thurs. 6 p.m. Michael Gallant w/ James Popik


Ivy Tavern 


3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton

(609) 888-1435


Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke


Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke


Sat. 10 p.m. Beatles Pie


All shows 21+


John & Peter's 

96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981


Thurs. 9 p.m. "J & P's Comedy Night" w/ Sinners & Saints


Fri. 9 p.m. Keith Kenny CD Release 


Sat. (3 p.m.) Run To Sandy (9 p.m.) Ammunition


Sun. (3 p.m.) "Miss Pumpkin Presents" A Drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.) Collin J. Rocker & The Burning Barrels w/ Justin Wells 


Mon. 9 p.m. Husky Burnette


Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Aggreschen


Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational

All shows 21+


JoJo's Tavern


2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton


(609) 586-2678


Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke


Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series at the Capital Green


201 Barrack Street Trenton


Sat. 7 p.m. Dean Ween Group, Good Graeff, Molly Rhythm. All ages, Free outdoor event


Millhill Basement


300 S. Broad Street Trenton


(609) 989-1600


Wed. 9 p.m. Austin Lucas, Sammy Kay, Johnny Ott, Brian Rothenbeck, Steve Burks. $10


Palermo's Of Hamilton

310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton

(609) 838-7979


Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke


All shows 21+ 


Patriot's Crossing


1339 River Rd. Titusville


(609) 737-2780


Fri. 7:30 p.m. Back Porch Jug Band


Sat. 7:30 p.m. Chris & Tommy's Good Time Show


Pete's Steak House

523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton

(609) 585-8008


Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)


Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Stars


 Randy Now's Man Cave


134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown


(609) 424-3766


Sun. 7:30 p.m. Les The Mentalist. All ages, Doors at 7 p.m., $10


RHO Waterfront


50 Riverview Plaza Trenton


(609) 393-7300


 Thurs. 9 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Wessy Wes. Ages 21+, $5 (with college ID), $15 (without)


Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) The Grace Little Band


Sat. (1 p.m.) "Trenton Animal Shelter Fundraiser" w/ keynote speaker CBS Meteorologist Carol Erickson. $40 (9 p.m.) "Risk Taker 45th. Anniversary and Birthday Celebration for FEE and Bark Da Ripper" $20 (advance), VIP $30

Tavern On The Lake


101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345


Fri. 9 p.m. FarCry


Sat. 9 p.m. WarHammer


Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 


The HOB Tavern


146 Second Street


(609) 291-7020


 Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke


The Ivy Inn


248 Nassau St. Princeton


(609) 921-8555


 Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron


Fri. 10 p.m. River Dogs


Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong


Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv


Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron


The Record Collector


358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown


(609) 324-0880


Fri. 8 p.m.  Popa Chubby. All ages, Doors 7:30 p.m., $20 (advance)


Sat. 8 p.m. Ricky Byrd & Deuces Wild / Voodoo Fix. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)


Sun. 8 p.m. Wishbone Ash. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $35 (advance). 


The Sticky Wicket 


2465 South Broad St. Hamilton

(609) 439-0007


Fri. 9 p.m. Never Enough


Sat. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction


The Sun National Bank Center 

81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 656-3200


 Check web site for upcoming events


Tir Na Nog 

1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 392-2554


Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill


All shows  21+

Trenton Buzz


702 Pine St. Trenton


(609) 392-6000


 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat


Trenton Social


449 South Broad Street Trenton


(609) 989-7777


 Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA)


Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday Presents: "Old Work Meets New" by Howard Michaels


Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P


Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.


Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)

400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-8300


Fri. 10 p.m. Apache Trails. ($5 cover charge)


Sat. 10 p.m. Suburban Living. ($5 cover charge)


Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign ups 6:30 p.m.)


Tues. 9 p.m. The Crane Wives


All shows 21+


Wildflowers Inn


2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington


Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock 


All shows 21+



Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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