The Winery Dogs/Scarlet Rebels –
Epic Studios, Norwich, Sunday 8th October, 2023
Scarlet Rebels are a five piece Rock band from Wales who have been supporting The Winery Dogs on the UK leg of the tour. They are releasing an album next year. I was not aware of them before going to the show and was pleasantly surprised by their sound and their stage presence.
The sound engineering of the entire show was very well done. I was parked over by the bassist’s side of the stage and could still hear the guitars very well throughout the night. Scarlet Rebels played for around 45 minutes and performed a variety of songs.
How much sound do you think a 3 piece band could produce? Had you asked me I would have said not a lot however having seen The Winery Dogs performing at Epic Studios in Norwich, my answer has been changed. They are an American 3 piece Supergroup and each member has been in a band previously and has come together to form this 3 piece project.
Billy Sheehan on bass is also in bands such as ‘Mr Big’ and ‘Tallas’. Ritchie Kotzen on guitar and vocals has been in ‘Poison’ and has had a very successful solo career. Mike Portnoy on drums has been in ‘Dream Theatre’ and many other projects. The band released their third album ‘III’ this year and are on tour to promote it.
The Winery Dogs came on to play a varied set from their 3 studio releases starting off strong with ‘Gaslight’ from III. The band displayed a wide range of material, building up to their more well known songs ‘I’m No Angel’ and ‘Oblivion’ to finish off the main part of the set. They came back onstage for an encore playing ‘Regret’ and ‘Elevate’ a fan favourite of the band.
We were also treated to two solos during the set. The Drummer, Mike Portnoy delivered a blazing drum solo before ‘The Other Side’ and the Bassist, Billy Sheehan expertly performed a bass solo. Both artists are at the top of their game and masters of their instruments.
The Winery Dogs are performers through and through; use of smoke effects, use of light effects, they performed and displayed great musicality whilst having fun and you could tell they were having fun whilst performing. It didn’t feel robotic at all.
If I could critique the night, it would be this. As much as I could hear the guitar over the drums and the bass as I mentioned earlier - I was living on the bassist’s side – The vocals were drowned out by the rest of the band which was disappointing because I love Ritchie’s voice on the album and would love to have heard it live as well.
Overall it was a night to remember, Scarlet Rebels were an amazing surprise and The Winery Dogs delivered on all of my expectations for the evening.
Review by Cassie Harris
Photographs by Paul Hampson
Special thanks also go to
'Happenin’ Harry'
our new Los Angeles correspondent for setting it up!