INTERVIEW: Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs on Their New Album, and Longevity in The Music Business


 

Ghost Cult caught up with bass guitar legend Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs! Billy discussed the new album “III” – out now on Three Dog Records, launching their own label, the evolving role of labels in the music business, how Billy – Mike Portnoy, and Richie Kotzen all write together, the return of touring, how many guest sessions Billy really did during the height of the pandemic, and much more! Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: The Winery Dogs Live at Tupelo Music Hall


 

Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, and Mike Portnoy. Three dynamo musicians that need no introduction on their own, much less as a three-piece supergroup. The Winery Dogs rolled into Derry New Hampshire’s Tupelo Music Hall this past Sunday on their 2023 World Tour. Intimate venue, the cold weather outside, and hot music. Let’s dive in…

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The Winery Dogs Announce Share Their New Single and Video for “Xanadu”


The Winery Dogs, by Evil Robb Photography

Prog-Rock supergroup The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy, and Billy Sheehan – already announced their upcoming new album III, is set for release on February 3, 2023, via the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, III was once again self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston (Anthrax). Pre-orders are available today, December 9 on CD and all digital formats, which include an instant download of the album’s first single “Xanadu” – out now. A vinyl edition of III will also be revealed in just a few months. Watch the video, stream the single, and also a chance to win a guitar from Richie Kotzen.

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The Winery Dogs Announce European Tour Dates, New Single Out This Week


The Winery Dogs, by Evil Robb Photography

Prog-Rock supergroup The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy, and Billy Sheehan – already announced their upcoming new album. Now they have announced addtional 2023 tour dates, this time in Europe. III is set for release on February 3, 2023, via the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, III was once again self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston (Anthrax). Pre-orders will be available starting Friday, December 9 on CD and all digital formats, which include an instant download of the album’s first song to be released, “Xanadu.” A vinyl edition of III will also be revealed in just a few months.

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The Winery Dogs Announce Their New Album “III” – World Tour Dates Incoming


The Winery Dogs, by Evil Robb Photography

Prog-Rock supergroup The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy, and Billy Sheehan – are back in full force with their aptly named third album III, which is set for release on February 3, 2023, via the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, III was once again self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston (Anthrax). Pre-orders will be available starting Friday, December 9 on CD and all digital formats, which include an instant download of the album’s first song to be released, “Xanadu.” A vinyl edition of III will also be revealed in just a few months.

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PODCAST: Episode 123: Derek Sherinian on “The Phoenix”, Prog, and More!


Ghost Cult caught up with progressive music legend and keyboardist/producer Derek Sherinian, (Sons of Apollo, Black Country Communion, ex-Dream Theater) to chat all about this new solo album, out this week, September 18th, via InsideOut Music. Derek discussed the new album, working with special guests such as Tony Franklin, Jimmy Johnson, Billy Sheehan, Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, Kiko Loureiro, Derek’s approach to composition, how he lays down guest tracks for bands around the world every day from his home studio, his with mentor and friend Simon Philips, covering Buddy Miles, a hint at future Sons of Apollo plans, discussing his keyboard heroes from history, and a cool story about Patrick Moraz. Pre-order the album here: https://dereksherinian.lnk.to/ThePhoenix and check out our chat. Continue reading


Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier, John Moyer, and More to Raise Money for The David Z Foundation Livestream Tonight


Stars from across Rock and Metal will join together on a livestream to raise money tonight on the David Z Foundation Livestream. David Z (David Zablidowsky) was the brilliant metal and progressive rock musician best known for his work in bands such as Adrenaline Mob, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and ZO2, died three years ago on July 17th, 2017 when a tractor-trailer collided with Adrenaline Mob’s tour bus. Check out the updated poster from Mike Portnoy’s tweet below. You can donate at the GoFundM link below and watch the live stream including artists ranging from Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier (Korn), John Moyer (Disturbed) Rikki Rockett, Don Dokken, Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto, Carmine Appice, Eddie Trunk, Marco Mendoza, Joel Hoekstra, Tiffany, John Pooper, Alex Skolnik, Charlie Benante, Dug Pinnick, Ra Diaz and more! Continue reading


Billy Sheehan Signs with Metal Blade for Talas Debut Album


Billy Sheehan (Sons of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big), who emerged from the upstate New York music scene in the late 1970s with the band Talas, has signed a deal with Metal Blade Records for the release of a new studio album, their first formal album ever. Talas earned its reputation performing gigs in the Buffalo and Rochester scenes. Although Talas started out by playing covers, it eventually introduced originals to its setlist. Sheehan later was well known as a studio musician before joining David Lee Roth’s late 1980s solo band, and later chart-topping stardom with Mr. Big (‘To Be With You’). The news of TALAS’s new record deal was broken by Sheehan’s longtime manager Michael Faley, a former roadie with Talas who also works for Metal Blade. On Friday (January 17), Faley posted a photo of Sheehan signing the contract with Metal Blade and included the following caption: “Billy Sheehan signing contract for a new TALAS studio album with Metal Blade Records. The 4 piece TALAS never recorded a studio album and there is soooo much material to pick from.”Continue reading


Watch Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian of Sons of Apollo Discuss New Single “Good Divinity”


 

Sons Of Apollo, the prog-Metal supergroup which includes former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force)-just shared their first single and video from their new album MMXX (pronounced: 20/20). Watch Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian discuss the clip in a new video below. MMXX produced by The Del Fuvio Brothers (Portnoy and Sherinian), MMXX will be released on the 17th January 2020 via InsideOutMusic/Sony as a standard CD package, Limited Edition 2 CD package (which includes instrumental mixes and a cappella excerpts), 2 LP + CD package, and on all digital formats. The album is the followup o the acclaimed debut Psychotic Symphony, one of the rare albums Ghost Cult gave a 10 / 10 grade to. Continue reading


Watch the New Video from Sons Of Apollo – “Goodbye Divinity”


Sons Of Apollo, the prog-Metal supergroup which includes former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force)-will release their second studio album in 2020, appropriately titled, MMXX (pronounced: 20/20). Produced by The Del Fuvio Brothers (Portnoy and Sherinian), MMXX will be released on the 17th January 2020 via InsideOutMusic/Sony as a standard CD package, Limited Edition 2 CD package (which includes instrumental mixes and a cappella excerpts), 2 LP + CD package, and on all digital formats. The album is the followup o the acclaimed debut Psychotic Symphony, one of the rare albums Ghost Cult gave a 10 / 10 grade to. Check out the video for the first single, the Vicente Cordero-directed clip for, ‘Goodbye Divinity’ right now! Continue reading