THE WINERY DOGS drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER) is featured in a new interview with veteran journalist Chad Bowar. An excerpt is available below:

Q: At this point in your career, are you still learning new things, or is it more of a point of just polishing what you've already learned and known over the years?

Portnoy: "Anybody that's serious about their instrument will never stop learning, never stop trying to grow and get better. I'm still as inspired by music today as I was when I was a 13-year-old kid playing KISS songs in my bedroom. I'm just a huge music fan, through and through. With that comes a love and a passion for, not just drums, but music in general. I'm inspired by all of it."

Q: Were you surprised by how well received the Winery Dogs were?

Portnoy: "Yes. In my post-Dream Theater career, I have formed and started several new bands. No matter how much of a name and past and history you've had on your own, when you form a new band you have to start from scratch and build it from the ground up.

I saw that with FLYING COLORS. I saw that with ADRENALINE MOB. I've been doing that with a few different bands the past few years. Some have been slow. Some took a little while to get off the ground.

But the Winery Dogs was immediate. Immediately, the shows were all sold out. The album entered the Billboard charts in the top 30. Obviously, it became apparent to me that the Winery Dogs was something that people could really relate to, be a part of. It's been an amazing start, so far."

Go to this location for the complete interview

The Winery Dogs - also - featuring bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist Richie Kotzen - are gearing up for a US tour this spring and have added shows in San Antonio, Las Vegas, New haven, Boston, Poughkeepsie and Toronto (**) to the schedule. Check it out below:

April

30 - Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ

May

2 - Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
3 - State Theater - New Brunswick, NJ
4 - Penn's Peak - Jim Thorpe, PA
6 - Tupelo Music Hall - Londonderry, NH
7 - Birchmere Music Hall - Alexandria, VA
9 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA
10 - Amos Southend - Charlotte, NC
18 - Juanita's - Little Rock, AR
21 - The Rib Room - Fort Smith, AR
22 - Backstage Live - San Antonio, TX **
23 - The Scout Bar - Houston, TX
24 - The Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
30 - The Marquee - Tempe, AZ
31 - Vamp'd - Las Vegas, NV **

June

24 - Mainstage - Ramona, CA
26 - Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
27 - Saban Theater - Beverly Hills, CA
28 - Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA
30 - Yoshi's - San Francisco, CA **

July

1 - Yoshi's at Jack London Square - Oakland, CA

26 - The Tralf - Buffalo, NY
27 - Toad's Place - New Haven, CT **
28 - Revolution - Amityville, NY
30 - The Keswick Theater - Glenside, PA

August

1 - Wilbur Theater - Boston, MA **
2 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY **
3 - Phoenix Comcert Hall - Toronto, ON **

On April 15th, The Winery Dogs will release both a Special Edition, and Dog Treats Deluxe Special Edition of their self-titled debut album.

The Special Edition is a two disc set including the original album, Unleashed In Japan 2013 - a 10 song live recording, including the song 'Criminal' (previously unavailable in the US), and an expanded booklet with photos and lyrics.

The Dog Treats Deluxe Special Edition is a box of “dog treats” fortified with these essential vitamins:

- The two-disc Special Edition (above)
- A CD of demos from 2012, The Winery Pups
- A DVD of music videos and band interviews
- Mike Portnoy’s in-studio diary from the making of the record
- Custom Winery Dogs dog tags with chain
- Custom Winery Dogs wine bottle topper
- Custom embroidered paw print logo patch

Unleashed In Japan 2013 Tracklisting:

'Elevate' (Live)

'Criminal' (Live)

'Time Machine' (Live)

'I'm No Angel' (Live)

'Not Hopeless' (Live)

'Stand' (Live)

'You Can't Save Me' (Live)

'Shine' (Live)

'Fooled Around And Fell In Love' (Live)

'Desire' (Live)