noun: an exceptionally successful rock group or one formed by musicians already famous from playing in other groups.
Yeah, that pretty much sums up the Winery Dogs. They are way more than that though. Portnoy, Sheehan & Kotzen. Names that resonate with musicians the world over, and if their debut album is anything to go by, the rest of the world will surely follow suit sooner rather than later. A one-off UK date was only going to please so many people, and the sold out Islington Academy were certainly in for a night to brag about.
Atlanta’s THE SIXXIS were a strong choice of support, wearing their Dream Theater influences not so much on their sleeves but on large neon signs above their heads. Technical prog-metal at it’s finest, with a set including “Nowhere Close” and closer “Snake in the Grass”, the Sixxis boys are certainly ones to watch. I do have a small confession though chaps. I accidentally snuck outside for a cigarette towards the end of your set. However, had I not done this I wouldn’t have bumped into Herman Li from Dragonforce, so alas my apology comes with little or no regret!
For those of you foolish enough to be unaware of the Winery Dogs’ collective background, I’ll give you a helping hand. Poison, Mr Big, David Lee Roth Band, Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold, Adrenaline Mob…..the list is long and esteemed, and as a rock fan you’d have to have been living under a rock for 30 years to not know these guys.
The trio emerged to a rapturous welcome from the sold out Academy and they weren’t ever going to disappoint. As with their well-received debut album, the show was opened with the soon to be classic “Elevate”, with all three of the guys on top of their game. Unison guitar/bass lines from Sheehan and Kotzen made the most of the great venue sound, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mike Portnoy look so content, showcasing technique whilst holding the songs down.
Being their debut tour, you could be fooled into expecting a short set but not here. Delving into some of their individual back catalogues, the WD boys treated us to not only great set of hard rock, but to some great solos too. Now I know what you’re all thinking….Drum solo? Bass Solo? I get it, everyone goes to the bar during these but not tonight. Billy Sheehan’s mastery of his instrument was insane as always, and I don’t think there was a single person present who didn’t wish that Portnoy’s drum solo was a bit longer.
Highlight of the night, for me anyway, was Richie Kotzen. I’ve waited since “Fever Dream” to see this guy live (my own fault) and it was worth the wait. I’ll never get my head around his ability to give a soulful vocal performance whilst ripping out some ridiculous riffs and fills on his telecaster. This guy should be revered alongside Satriani and Vai, maybe even moreso. His performance of solo classic “You Can’t Save Me” was nothing short of mesmerising.
The piano-led “Regret” closed the set, before the boys returned for a two song encore that left the crowd begging for more. Not this time though, for that you’ll have to wait for the next tour. If you missed them this time round, shame on you. Don’t make the same mistake next time round.
The Winery Dogs are currently touring Europe, and their debut album is available now on iTunes, and other music outlets with impeccable taste.
As one of the most charismatic frontmen of this or any generation, Kory Clarke has been kicking out at the system for over 25 years. I spoke to Kory ahead of Warrior Soul’s upcoming UK tour, and found that he hasn’t mellowed out one bit. To be fair, I never doubted it for a second…..
Scambot: Kory thanks for taking the time out to talk to us today. Your latest album “Stiff Middle Finger” seems to hark back to a more classic Warrior Soul sound. How do you manage to find the balance between political and party? Nobody else ever seems to manage it? Kory Clarke:I sing about things that interest me. I believe that our population deserves a voice to agitate and express our feelings of discontent towards the unfair greed of our corporate ruling class. And I like to party and hang around with hot chicks (lol). Somehow I have managed to walk a tight rope with this delicate balance of what otherwise might seem like disconnected topics of the proverbial stupid rock n roll songs the world embraces. Hooray for me.
SB: You’ve often been criticised by the mainstream rock press for being an overtly political band in the past. Do you think it’s important for artists to bring corporate corruption and government failings to the masses? KC: Some members of the rock press I feel are simply jealous of my ability to write better than them.
SB: It’s good to hear that you’re still not going to sit back quietly and let the world fuck itself. “2012” is as angry as I’ve heard you in a long time? KC: Thanks, it is just my laundry list of shit I don’t dig.
SB: On the other side of the coin, there is “Junky Stripper”. How did that song come about? (Great video by the way!) KC: The riff was written with me producing in the studio with Vince Kalman and the riff demanded the worst possible thing I could think of to irritate and be sleazy because I have never written a sleazy hard metal song and I used the image of a nasty ass stripper and all the feelings that go through men’s heads when they go to such unstimulating drinking establishments.
SB: What’s your take on the industry in 2013, with the emergence of Pledge campaigns and Spotify, etc? KC: I think it is cool, it’s another way to finance your records besides sucking some record companies cock. I have no opinion whatsoever on how records are financed as long as they get made.
SB: Are there any new up and coming bands that have really grabbed your attention lately? KC: ACID, Electric Mary …. and Generation Graveyard who will be opening for us on several dates of this tour.
SB: You’re about to embark on a UK tour. What can your British fans expect from the gigs? KC:We are doing a lot of songs we haven’t done since we started playing over there. My first show was at the Marquee in London in 1990 and we played the whole first album right through. I have ignored a few songs since, so we’ll be playing some things we haven’t played since that time. Having Pete McClanahan on this trip is going to open up the rhythm section along with “Awesome” John Besser on drums, who has a very open, Keith Moon style and is a very hard hitter. Bringing Joe Amodea from New York City as well on guitar was very fortunate. We have been wanting to play together since the mid-nineties. Jason Austin has been on 3 tours and over the summer has been playing in America. He’s come into his own as the best rhythm player we’ve ever had.
SB: Must be great to have Pete McClanahan back onboard for the tour? KC: Yeah, you bet! He’s one of my best friends and I am glad he has found the time to come back and play. He is the best rock bass player in the world.
SB: Poet, Musician, Artist – (Is there anything this man doesn’t do?)…..What really lights a fire under Kory Clarke? KC: A beach, blazing hot sun and an endless supply of margaritas and senoritas! I love producing records for me and others, I like playing drums, making comedy films (‘The Stoned’), writing poetry and painting.
SB: What’s next for Kory Clarke? KC: Working on a solo project with Andre Indiana from Lisbon and Bobby K from ‘ACID’ from New York. Andre, who has had a number one single in Portugal and Bobby K, who has also been playing with the New York Dolls, have a new plan for a solo project to be released early next spring. I am actually flying over to Lisbon to start some recording after the UK tour. Other than that painting and painting. Also I am working with Scotty T Dambacher on ‘The Stoned’ musical which is absolutely hilarious. If you haven’t seen an episode please go to You Tube. I also have been asked to play drums for Chicago’s new band ’13 MGs’ that has just come back together to do a new record and it’s fantastic. Think Mob Research, Ministry and The Sex Pistols.
SB: Thanks for your time, good luck with the tour. KC:Thank you. Hope to see you at a show!
Warrior Soul kick off their UK tour in Glasgow on September 13th. Tickets available at all usual outlets.
Things were getting a bit desperate for rock fans in the late 90’s. With the Wildhearts imploding post “Endless Nameless” and Nu-Metal taking over the world, those of us yearning for some glam-infused punk rock were left with only our memories for company. The scene needed a shot in the arm and when all looked lost, a four-piece from Nassjo in Sweden released “Look At You”, the first single from their upcoming sophomore album. Under three of minutes of Pistols sneer, coupled with a riff Johnny Ramone could’ve written (and probably did, several times) it was the perfect taster for what was soon to follow.
From the four cymbal crashes that herald the arrival of “Made Me Madman”, to the machine gun drums of album closing “Robber of Life”, it’s a reckless ride that comes in at under 40 minutes. Now normally, I’d be moaning about value for money but not here. No ballads, no bullshit, no filler. Just the soundtrack to the best night out you never had.
“Let’s Go To Hell” comes on like Lemmy’s trio at their finest, all low-slung punk n’ roll guitars from Nicke Borg and Dregen, whilst “Subculture Hero” is a snotty anthem that harks back to the New York Dolls and classic-era Wildhearts in equal measure. No bad thing I’m sure you’ll agree, and if you don’t you’re probably in the wrong place. You’re also very foolish indeed.
For me, even 15 years on, there’s two things that make this album for me. Dregen’s guitar playing on this album is sloppy as fuck, and I mean that in a good way. Channelling the spirit of Johnny Thunders through a dirty Marshall, he was undoubtedly the coolest guitarist since Slash first hit Sunset Strip, and probably still is. The second thing? Two minutes fifty-five of unadulterated riffing that goes by the name of “Bombed (Out Of My Mind)”. Peder Carlsson shows exactly why I’ve been trying to find a drummer who can play like him for years, and if that wasn’t enough….. how can you possibly argue with a song that kicks off with the line “I don’t care what you say, cause I’m born to lose”. It just doesn’t get any better than this.
If you don’t own this album, you should. There really is no excuse. Still don’t believe me?
…..there, I knew you’d like it. So you should, it’s a fucking masterpiece.
SCAMBOT 