After releasing two awesome albums the super power trio, The Winery Dogs came to Hungary for the first time. On this occasion we didn’t miss the chanse to speak a little with the group’s fantastic drummer, Mike Portnoy.

Rockbook: - You’ve been in Hungary six times with Dream Theater, once with Adrenaline Mob and once with the Portnoy, Sheehan, Macalpine, Sherinian project and now you’re here with The Winery Dogs. All of these bands have a completely different style but almost every show was sold out. It appears that the Hungarian fans really enjoy your shows and you as well. How do you feel it?

Mike Portnoy: - Thank You! Every time I play here, no matter what band it is, I always feel such a great great passion from the Hungarian fans.  It’s always a favourite place to play and I’m happy to be back tonight. I’m sorry it took so long. With all the bands I can playing with I thought I’ll be back sooner, but I’m glad I’m here tonight and we have a sold out show, so I expected to be awesome.

Rockbook: - Many people predicted that The Winery Dogs would be a one hit wonder. But now here you are after two albums and a world tour. Can you tell us what the future plans are for The Winery Dogs?

Mike Portnoy: -  Well we said right from the beginning of the last album and tour that was a real band, but everybody refuses to beleive it, everybody thinks ohh it’s just a supergoup that would breakup, it’s just a one time project but I think people finally now realise and know it is a real band. Me and Richie and Billy… we all have other things, I have a million other things, but The Winery Dogs is a real commitment and it’s full time. When I go out and play with Transatlantic, or Flying Colors… that’s just a very short window of shows. With The Winery Dogs we go out all year long, play all over the world. The way I was in the Dream Theater. It’s a much different situation that all of the others project I’m apart of.

Rockbook: - What inspires you to take part of projects in so many different styles?

Mike Portnoy: - That’s easy what inspires me is the musicians I play with. I love that on a point in my career I’m able to do all these different styles and work with so many great people. I have a band with Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen and I have another with Alex Skolnick and David Ellefson another band with Steve Morse. To me it’s like a dream scenario to able to have all of these outlets so what inspires me is just the ability to have so many great opportunities. And they’re all different. Metal projects has so different from Winery Dogs which is so different from Flying Colors. Anyone of them has a very different style and feeling.

Rockbook: - What are the differences between the American and the European audiences? You must be an expert on this topic since you’re always on the road.

Mike Portnoy: - Every place has a very very different feelings and emotions. The American audiences a little more subduded and relaxed. European audience is a very passionate and vocal and warm. I prefer that. I want to play to an audience that’s very interactive and vocal. Even within Europe there’s many many different styles. You can’t really stereotype Europe as one audience. Hungarian audience is different from the Dutch audience they different from the English audience they from the French audience. Every country has a very different feel.

Rockbook: - I’m sure you know that lots of fans miss you from Dream Theater. Do you keep in touch with anyone?

Mike Portnoy: - I’m not gonna talk too much about Dream Theater, but yes I’m stay in touch with Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci. I’ve tried to stay in touch with the whole band but John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess are the only one who stay the touch.

Rockbook: - Nowadays there are loads of bands everywhere and it’s really hard to show something new. What do you feel they need to do to stand and gain popularity?

Mike Portnoy: - Well different things work for different people. I mean my sons favourite band on the world is Slipknot. So they have to concentrated on their music. All the bands I’m apart there is the concentration on music itself. Rock and roll has been around over fifty years now and it’s hard to be original. Everybody having done everything, but exactly I don’t know answer this question. If your music comes right from your heart, than people will react.  

Rockbook: - Do you think rock music can still evolve? In which ways you can imagine it?

Mike Portnoy: - We always have a voice and right from the heart and be able to move people. It’s really hard to offer something new because everything has been done but once in a while there is a band what blows my mind and doing something original. It’s always nice when you discover something like that.

Rockbook: - Are you planning to put together any new groups? If so, could you say something about it? Do you have any dreams in music that you definitely want to make come true?

Mike Portnoy: - I’m not planning on creating anything new I’m currently in six bands. That’s enough. I have Winery Dogs, Metal Allegiance, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, the Neal Morse Band and Twisted Sister. So between six bands I have no plans, but you never know what happen. Last year I had five bands and suddenly Twisted Sister came up. You never know what to come up, but right now there’s nothing new on the horizon.

Rockbook: - If you could form the band of your dreams who would be in it?

Mike Portnoy: - For me to be in it, or to be just a listener?

Rockbook: - To be in it.

Mike Portnoy: - I’m think I have done it. Everytime I put together a band, that’s my dream band. Winery Dogs was a dream band for me, Metal Allegiance was a dream band for me. Transatlantic, Flying Colors these are all the bands my imagination came up with. But okay If I make up somthing… The dream band is with Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Jimmy Page. They are my heroes that I never play with. Otherwise my career is a wishlist and I’m checking off more and more things. I’ve got to play with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss to Phil Anselmo and Bruce Dickinson… you know I played with all these people and it’s pretty much a dream career.    

Photos: Barba Negra Music Club, Hungary