The Winery Dogs

The American hard rock veterans known as the Winery Dogs unite vocalist and guitarist Richie Kotzen, whose résumé includes Poison and Mr. Big, with bassist Billy Sheehan, previously of David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Steve Vai, and drummer Mike Portnoy, co-founder of Dream Theater. Drawing from 1970s classic rock alongside the body of work each member had already produced, the three musicians convened for exploratory sessions in 2012 and quickly achieved a natural chemistry. Once intense yet smooth recording sessions wrapped, the newly formed supergroup finalized its self-titled debut album for release in 2013. Their second full-length effort, the progressive-leaning Hot Streak, followed in 2015. Kotzen placed the Winery Dogs on hiatus two years afterward. The trio resumed activity in 2022 and delivered the aptly titled III the next year. Captured at Kotzen’s home studio, the ten-track collection further sharpened the band’s blues-rooted classic-rock style through confident technical command.