Mike Portnoy Reveals Status of Winery Dogs

Drummer Mike Portnoy was recently asked about the status of The Winery Dogs in an interview with The Rockpit, to which the Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold drummer replied: "[I don't know] if you want to use the word 'hiatus' or if you want to just say we're between albums. We did two back-to-back albums and tours and they were very well-received throughout the whole world, so all three of us really love the band, but I think Richie in particular kind of wanted a breather. He's always been a solo artist for the last twenty years or so, so being in a full-time band is something that's kind of new to him and a bit overwhelming, so I think he wanted a breather to go do his solo thing for a while. And, in the meantime, there's no shortage of things for me and Billy to do, so we're kind of just on break at the moment. And once everybody has caught their breath, we will get back to work on another album at some point."

Portnoy clarified his comments during a recent performance on Trunk Nation: "It's unfortunate, because… It's funny, because I've been doing press and I've said things… I always know what I'm saying. I'm not a politician; I'm a very open, honest guy, and that's the way it is — that's the way I am; take it or leave it. So I said specifically all the great things that the band did, how much fun it is and how much I love it, but I also said that right now, personally, it's the furthest thing from my mind, because, obviously, I just finished a new [solo] record and so I'm getting out, touring and getting behind my new music, which is what people do. And I also pointed out that the other guys [from THE WINERY DOGS] are doing the same thing. I pointed out that MR. BIG has a record coming out, and we know Mike is always busy. So I just pointed out the obvious. And I think I said [I would] keep all doors open, and, of course, in the future, we could see a WINERY DOGS record. I think I said something else that maybe got people in a panic, that it would probably be at least two years [before there is new music from THE WINERY DOGS]. But if you really look at reality, if my [solo] album cycle is going from now into 2018 and there's a MR. BIG thing happening and this and that, it really will be two years until we actually get our hands on new music from THE WINERY DOGS, because let's face it: we have to write it, we have to create it. So my point is the DOGS are sleeping, but they'll be back. So whatever I say should not be creating a panic, it's just talking frankly and honestly and [relaying the] reality of what's going on."