ION INDIE MAGAZINE November 2015, Volume 18 | Page 38
much…we collaborate. There’s no leader in this band. All three of us, we all have 25, 30 years’ experience
behind us. So we respect each other creatively and musically, and we respect each other’s ideas. In this
particular combination of people it’s actually been very smooth. Richie’s very easy-going, you know--a lot of
times the lead singer will have a reputation for being difficult. A lot of times the guitar player has a reputation
for being difficult and in our case, we have two in one. But luckily, Richie is actually a rather easy-going kind
of person and it makes collaborating not that difficult.
Mark: I know you’ve said that calling it a “Supergroup” was kind of a stigma, and you’ve said you’re a real
band. I agree with that, and I think you’re proving that with the second album.
Mike: Personally I don’t mind the word “Supergroup” because anytime you have guys coming from other
bands, that’s the term. But the term I do mind is the term “project”--this is NOT a project. Project applies or
is insinuating that this is just a one shot deal and it’s a “money grab”--and you got together and made a
record and you’ll never play live. This is not a project. This is a real band. And for the three of us, this is our
home base. This is now the priority for all three of us.
Mark: For us as fans, that’s great to hear--to hear that it’s not one and done…
Mike: Well yeah, I mean, here we are already on our second album. We did 100 shows last time. We’re going
to do well over 100 shows this time. That’s not a project…that’s a band.
Mark: I’m definitely a fan and love the new album. My favorite tune from it is “Captain Love”. I love a quote
I read from you that’s it’s your
“stripper pole song”…
Mike just laughs and says,
“Ya…”
I could have easily chatted with
Mike for hours, but my fifteen
minute allotment of his very
valuable time came to an end
way too quick. Now it was time
to say, “Thank you!” and wait
anxiously to see the master and
his band mates blow the roof of
The Wilbur!
ION Photojournalist Mark Myers with Mike Portnoy of The Winery Dogs
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/
www.facebook.com/mikeportnoyofficial