ION INDIE MAGAZINE November 2015, Volume 18 | Page 35

A Conversation with
Of The Winery Dogs

THE WILBUR THEATRE • BOSTON, MA • OCTOBER 5, 2015
Interview and Photography by Mark Myers • www.MarkMyersPhotography.com
Doing my pre-interview homework on MIKE PORTNOY and THE WINERY DOGS was easy--just because I’m
such a huge fan of the band! When I walk into this interview, I’m greeted by the drumming legend himself
and he proceeds to bust my balls. This is already going great! I was about to interview a Long Island NY
native and I’m wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey. I was greeted by, “Really? You do know where I’m from,
right?” To which I answered, “Yup…but you went to school down the street at Berklee, so we’re good.” We
were off on the right note. This guy couldn’t have been nicer; unassuming, laid back, just a regular guy that
also happens to be one of the world’s best drummers.
Mark: I’m from ION Indie Magazine and we basically are dedicated to independent, unsigned bands; we
promote unsigned bands--musicians that are just starting out. But the other important part of our magazine
is dedicated to finding legends…and I know that some people are not comfortable with that word…
Mike: (laughs) Oh I love it! I’m very comfortable with it!
Mark: …musicians that have “made it” and they play at a level that’s far beyond what we as local musicians
will probably ever achieve. So we’d like to interview you, and my first question to you would be: What kind of
advice can you give to a band or musician that’s toiling in the clubs of Boston and…