Our friends from The Winery Dogs’ Polish Empire fanpage made an interview with the legendary Billy Sheehan – bassist of Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big and recently The Winery Dogs where he plays with Richie Kotzen and Mike Portnoy. Billy appreciates his fans and he’s a very nice person to talk to. See what Billy shared with us and how did he answered to a few questions from fans.
Hello Billy! You have completed a great European and Asian tour with The Winery Dogs recently. How are you feeling about it?
Fantastic! It’s been wonderful and the best part is there is MUCH MORE to come!
Most of the shows were sold out, which was not really surprising for us, fans, as you are 3 well-known musicians playing together, but it seems that it was surprising for you. Could you explain this to us?
We never know what is going to happen, so it’s ALWAYS a very pleasant surprise. We are so grateful.
Mike Portnoy published on his blog a list of covers that were supposedly recorded by you during the sessions for the debut album. Could you share with us what’s the status for these songs? Which were finished, which weren’t?
A few but not very many. I can’t recall too much about them right now.
I have read an interview with Richie few days ago, where he said that he is not a fan of doing covers unless they’re part of his DNA. Is that the reason why you’re not playing covers anymore while touring with Winery Dogs?
Not really – it’s just that now we have 2 albums and enough songs for a whole show with our music.
We will be back to Winery Dogs later, but now let’s talk about your other bands. First off, Talas. I would like to focus on one of your biggest hits from that band, 'Shy Boy’. You play this song a lot, with different musicians. We heard that one performed with Winery Dogs, Tony MacAlpine, Steve Vai. Is there any difference in playing a song like this between Steve and Richie for example?
With every different band it’s a whole new thing, with every guitar player, the song is treated a bit differently. It’s all good! I’m happy to hear how each musician interprets any song in their own way. It always give the song new life and renewed interest.
In 2014, Mr. Big gave their fans new album called „…The Stories we Could Tell”. Around that time, we learned about Pat Torpey’s illness. How’s he feeling now and what’s the future of the band?
Pat is doing really well! Thanks. We hope to do some Mr. Big in 2017. And more Winery Dogs too!
Last November you were about to play the reunion show with David Lee Roth „Eat 'Em And Smile” band. Eventually it was cancelled at last minute. Are you gonna play reunion show another time at another place?
I just don’t know. I certainly would LOVE to. Anywhere, anyhow, any time. I hope it happens!
Looking at your Facebook page, you seem to be a very open person to your fans. Many rock and metal musicians are questioning usefulness of so called „social media” and they are even dissociate themselves from them and refuse to contact their fans that way. What do you think about that? Do you think that keeping good contact with fans helps the band in some way?
I love the people who come see me play, and who listen to the music I make. I’m very grateful to have them as my friends. I think social media is an incredible opportunity for people to communicate in ways that were never possible before. I love hearing from friends and fans around the world, and I do my best to respond and answer as much as I can. My pleasure!
Few months ago you played a show to raise money for Tony MacAlpine who is fighting cancer. How is he doing? We wish him all the best!
I think he’s doing well! I’m so happy to say. I just saw a post about it, and he will be recording again soon. Much thanks to any of you who donated to that cause. Tony is awesome, and a dear friend. And one of the greatest musicians I know.
Let’s go back to The Winery Dogs. Everytime I watch Unleashed in Japan DVD I’m impressed by how great you were playing considering it was your only second show as Winery Dogs. Who’s idea it was to record the live DVD so early? Maybe there is some special explanation about it that we don’t know?
Yes, that was unusual! It was the record company in Japan’s idea. We didn’t want to record a show that early in the tour, as well as it being our first tour ever, and second show ever! There are a few mistakes, but we did not edit them out, so it’s a very honest and real representation of the very beginning of the band.
Who writes most of the stuff for Winery Dogs? How big is your participation in writing new music?
Richie writes a lot because he sings everything, but Mike and I write a lot of the music, and we add arrangement and ideas to all of the songs. Writing with The Winery Dogs is very enjoyable, easy, and fun. We have all made so many records for so long that it has become a very natural process for us.
Back in 2015, Mike said that you would play all songs from „Hot Streak” during the tour, but as of now, you kept playing the same setlist from the beginning of the tour. Why? Are you still planing to do so on upcoming shows?
We are trying. It’s hard to find time to rehearse before shows. I’ll keep trying to add more!
And here are the questions from fans:
For you, what is the difference between working in a four-piece band and a three-piece one like The Winery Dogs?
There is something special about a 3-piece band. It’s so much easier to know what two other people are doing, as opposed to 3 other people. I’m not sure why. It’s easier to connect on stage together, easier to hear everything that is going on. We listen to each other a lot while we play live, and it’s easier with 3 people.
What do you remember the best from your recent visit in Poland?
I’m so glad to see Poland doing so well! I was there in the difficult times before the fall of the Soviet Union (and it all started in Poland!). I grew up in Buffalo, N.Y., which has very very many Polish people, so many of my friends at school and around my life had Polish heritage. And we ate Pierogi’s! And Kielbasa! My recent trip there was one of the BEST ever – the audience was simply fantastic. Very inspiring! I hope we can come back and play in many more cities next time. Thank you all for making my trip to Poland one of my best recent tour memories! Dziękuję!!!!!
The Winery Dogs last record is 2015’s „Hot Streak”. Listen to the single from that album – 'Oblivion’:
https://youtu.be/66aK_9h8Nhw
