Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
After making my way into Nottingham, I get to the venue to see a generous queue has beaten me to it. Joining the VIP queue, I’m quickly ushered inside to await my pass at the closed box office. I chat to a fellow tog who I’ve never seen at RC previously.
He’s down from Scotland for a few days and managed to get a pass to shoot tonight. I’ve been told there is a tight allocation for the tour so I’m not surprised he’s travelled so far to catch this supergroup and the superb support.
Getting in was a breeze so thank you Peter Noble and Phil Jaurigui. The venue looks enormous when its empty, the VIP’s have all but disappeared in the hall as I set my kit up over in Tog corner. After a wee while the hall starts to fill up, and the fans keep coming, its early doors on a sunny Saturday evening, the bands not due on for another half an hour and we are ‘bumping’ full. This is great to see as the support act is the amazing mad axeman ‘JARED JAMES NICHOLS’, the bastard love child of Zakk Wylde and Ted Nugent.
This guitar genius, from East Troy, Wisconsin, came to light after he left his home town and travelled to the bright lights where he entered a Gibson Les Paul Tribute Contest and slayed everyone one with his high energy, pick-less playing. With hair whipping and teeth flashing like a joint advert for shampoo and toothpaste, this genial young guitarist has carved out a niche following for his frenzied, no holds ‘Blues Power’ shows. Having seen him seven times already I know he’s going to destroy the opening slot.
On time, he and the band, Dennis Holm on drums and Diego Edsel on bass, ripped jeans and truckers cap, walk onto the darkened stage to cheers from the already sizable crowd. In front of his trademark ‘Blackstar Amps’ Jared gets his fingers lit up with a quick noodle. The lights come on as the band move forward and into ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ from the third JJN, and self-titled album, released earlier this year, and for sale at the merch desk. Throughout the three releases there has been a growth in Jared’s song-writing ability, previously seen as a foil for his outstanding fretwork.
This opening track has a familiarity about it that builds with a chugging riff into a sonic attack of pure JJN deliciousness. ‘Down the Drain’ follows on with Jared singing from the heart, the pounding of the skins from Dennis slams hard as we get a quick flurry of notes from Jared’s magical fingers, the callouses getting a good shave as he stands front and centre, his guitar lodged in his crotch ‘Zakk Wylde’ style as he rips scorching lick after scorching lick to a crowd that know what they like.
‘Hard Wired’ is up next, recognisable by its insane intro of sonic delight, as Jared’s fingers fly around the neck, screams, howls and dirty licks sing from his Signature Blackstar Amp setup, a collaboration born in 2019 with the release of the JJN-20, and now the update JJN-20MK11 version, signature amp. This valve amp is designed to blow the bloody doors off night after night, with both its ‘Clean’ and ‘Bluespower’ channels.
The drums slam in with a slow groove as the tune takes shape. The early 70’s psychodelia vibe oozes forth like a hippy’s lava lamp dancing in the corner. The breakdown as Jared at the stage front again as he rips out another stunning solo, Diego is pulling the poses with his thunderbird bass, his foot is on the monitor as he releases his bass’s dark rumble that hits you hard in the chest.
The partisan crowd are loving this wild man’s set as he drops straight into ‘Threw Me to The Wolves’, one of two songs not from the latest release, this one being a single released back in 2020. This ballad style tune is tasteful, as Jared has wound things down showcasing his song-writing ability and that he isn’t just all about screaming guitar, but there’s obviously a juicy solo, it is JJN after all, but this one is contained and fits the theme of the song perfectly, his finger work down in the dirty end is sublime, that pitch bend towards the end, has you waiting for the string to part company.
So, the tempo builds once more as Dennis has his sticks licking around the kit, Diego’s bass line is fast and thumping as Jared softly sings over the top. This is ‘Bad Roots’ from the new release once more. The staccato vocals build as the song powers along like an intercity express train. A brief drum fill opens the door for Jared to show that this new album is more than a box of high explosives. The power trio are thumping a beat that can be felt at the back of the hall, the sustained note of the ending has the crowd cheering for more, Jared has certainly made some new friends tonight.
‘Shadow Dancer’ again from the new album has a sort of familiarity to it, Jared’s laid back vocal soon gives way to a frenetic chorus that once again drops back into the lamentable verse, another example of Jared’s growth in song-writing, don’t get me wrong there’s plenty of distortion and great licks in this dark number to satisfy the most wanting bedroom noodler. The chorus pedal laden riff ends with yet another huge Jared smile. He’s clearly enjoying the night.
The single ‘Nails in the Coffin’, released in 2019, follows on. Another slower blues song that again has been in Jared’s set over the past couple of years, and has proven a firm favourite amongst the loyal band of fans, it sets the tone ready for the final song of his all too short a set.
The setlist says ‘War Pigs/Mississippi Queen’ two phenomenal tracks to end on, I know that Wolverhampton had War Pigs played so are we going to get the alternative tonight? Jared shouts ‘War Pigs’ and we’re left with no uncertainty as he digs in deep, the bass is thunderous from Diego, and Dennis on the hi-hat as the familiar riff kicks in. The crowd start to sing along from the get go, loud’, Jared’s smiling as he leads everyone through this well-known Black Sabbath cover.
The three are centre stage as this chugging riff to one of Sabbath’s most covered song rips the heads of everyone. Jared then knocks it up a gear as the lengthy solo flies from his Blackstar amps, the crowd’s heads are down nodding along as this one plays out. Once again, the crowd join in with the singing, as Dennis marks time on the hi-hat. The horns are in the air as yet another Iommi solo crashes around the venue. With his right arm held high the riff continues, bringing it down signals that the solo and the set is coming to an end.
And what a set, although dominated with his latest work it has been yet another showcase on what this giant of a man has in his arsenal, it’s a support set so there will be some bangers missed out from his earlier work but that doesn’t detract from what has been a stunning opening set. ‘The Winery Dogs’ had better bring their ‘A’ game.
Jared reminds the crowd he’ll be back on the 10th October, next door in the Rescue Rooms, headlining his own tour with DeWolff and Doomsday Outlaw. That promises to be a night not to be missed. Don’t forget to keep checking his website for the latest on his tours at www.jaredjamesnichols.com
With the usual Rock City efficiency, the stage is made ready for the headliners. Jared has gone to the merch desk which already has a healthy queue waiting to greet him. I have a quick chat, get a photo of him signed, buy his new album which he signs and have the usual fan boy photo, he’s a monster of a guy, makes me feel like a hobbit.
THE WINERY DOGS started as a side project by “Dream theatre’s” Mike Portnoy and legendary bass player “Billy Sheehan” in 2012. Originally called ‘Bad Apple’ they then had ex-Lizzy guitarist/vocalist, John Sykes as part of the trio. The trio didn’t work, so duly fizzled out until the legendary ‘Eddie Trunk’ threw Ritchie Kotzen’s name into the mix. Ritchie had previously played with Billy Sheehan in Mr Big so wasn’t a complete stranger. After a noodle in Kotzen’s LA studio they had the makings of their first, self-titled album this would be released worldwide in July 2013.
The hard rock super group was up and running, a second album followed in October, 2015 called ‘Hot Streak’. In 2017 it was announced that the band were taking a break, it was also stated that new material would be released in the future, so fans waited with baited breath until February 2023 when ‘III’ was finally released, a world-wide tour followed.
Tonight, is show two of the short three gig U.K. run, they will be back, playing a further five gigs later in the year.
Kicking their set off with George Clintons Atomic Dog being played on the house PA, the band slowly hit the stage. Portnoy is looking younger than ever, his smile lighting the venue as he’s clearly loving life on the road. Billy is strapped into his Yamaha bass and looks raring to go, his hair is drawn back the meteoric start to ‘Gaslight’ from the new album, erupts from stage, Oh yes, ‘A’ game check! The fury of all three is like molten lava, Kotzen’s vocal is a delight as he throws down the gauntlet. The Jazz infused breakdown has all three virtuoso’s throwing licks and tricks into the hall and the show is just getting started.
‘Xanadu’, another from the new album, ‘III’, follows on with yet more scorching runs and thundering drums from Portnoy. He’s grinning from behind his silver kit, his eyes bright behind his blue tinted glasses. Sheehan and Kotzen are musically entwined as the notes scream from their weapons of choice, two tracks in and there’s no stopping for breath.
The bass is thundering from Sheehan’s chest high bass, as is the volume of air being moved by Portnoy’s kick drum as we run headlong into ‘Captain Love’ this time from the sophomore album ‘Hot Streak’. Kotzen is on fire, his voice is stunning as he delivers with BV’s provided by both Sheehan and Portnoy. The three of them are making this look easy as they float around the stage, well two of them, Portnoy is standing and pointing on occasion, he knows how good they are!
The crowd are having a ball, they’re light on their toes as Sheehan bangs out a clean solo, joined by Kotzen who’s fingers are a blur as he destroys the solo to a cavalcade of cheers from the crowd. The album’s title track, ‘Hot Streak’, follows with its frantic, repetitive intro, Kotzen picks up the vocal as this one flies, another firm favourite it would seem, looking across the crowd they seem to know the words from this 2015 release.
The fast fingers continue as ‘Desire’, from the debut album, with its chunky intro grinds out. Sheehan is pulling the shapes as he moves around the stage, Kotzen’s voice is ridiculously good as he plays along with Sheehan’s rumbling bass, his guitar screams when called on. The quick runs and Zappa-esque phrasing that run through-out the set have you staring in amazement at Kotzen’s prowess.
The chugging start to ‘Breakthrough’ has an 80’s pop feel to it, as the song kicks in proper that feeling is soon dispelled as we get a wall of guitar, drums and bass hitting you squarely in the jaw. The song is filled with some tasteful runs from Kotzen’s fingers as he stands behind his microphone. Bandana wearing Portnoy hasn’t stopped smiling as we get some cowbell mixed in amongst his steady groove. ‘Time Machine’ with its slow deliberate beat has some tricks from Portnoy as he proves that he’s worthy a place with the other drum G.O.A.T’s. In fact, the stage has three potential inductee’s killing it.
‘Stars’ from the new album ‘III’, this ‘proggy’, six-minute sizzler, once again show cases the virtuosity of all three band members as each of them blow your mind with a stunning display of sheer musical prowess. ‘Damaged’, takes us back to the debut album and has a more laid-back groove, time for the crowd to catch its breath and slow dance to this radio length three-and-a-half-minute ballad.
Portnoy’s blistering attack on the drums breaks the silence, light and shade, hard and soft, melodic and percussive, this is why Portnoy is one of the best as Sheehan’s joins in on bass they’re both working hard with the bouncing beat of ‘The Other Side’. The trio pulls together tightly, as Kotzen, whose voice is locked in with his guitar licks, gives us more of his rich, blues laden growl of a voice.
The concussive beats slam along keeping the song on track. The breakdown is punctuated with a spellbinding run of faster picked notes from Kotzen, before a tempo changed leads into a flurry of instrumental madness, it’s a cracking track before Portnoy introduces the Sheehan Bass solo which he’s effortlessly just dropped into without missing a note.
Arthritis he does not have as his ageless fingers fly around the neck, he’s moving those thick strings with consummate ease, hitting the harmonics as he does so. It’s five minutes of pure magic, before it’s all tightly brought back together and we head into ‘The Red Wine’ another from ‘III’.
Portnoy’s snare rattles out on this one giving fair warning as this fusillade of musical prowess brings the party to Rock City once again. With guitar runs aplenty, this self-indulgent seven-minute song yet again reinforces the power trio’s place up there amongst the best in the ‘Prog Rock’ world, let alone the amalgamation of ‘Supergroups’. The slight country vibe to the intro of ‘I’m No Angel’ has he crowd moving again. The more radio friendly four-minute track lacks for nothing, written for the debut album back in 2013, its lost none of its energy and drive and another example of the trio’s song writing ability.
The set is finished with ‘Oblivion’ a great choice from the sophomore album of 2015. Fast feet from Portnoy propel this one along at breakneck speed. The melody is fast and furious as Kotzen somehow manages to sing whilst delivering his sizzling guitar runs. The concussive bass from both Sheehan and Portnoy is breath-taking, quite literally, it can be felt at the back of the venue. The breakdown is another example of three great musicians effortlessly blending together and producing magic.
With a short break for tea and medals, the band are back, Kotzen is on the keys this time as he asks “how many times are we gonna play the game”. The encore starts with the delicious ‘Regret’ again from the debut album. It’s a solid favourite and the crowd are respectful as it slowly builds with Kotzen lamenting perfectly, the heart felt lyric to this great tune, he is only temporarily on the keys mind, as he picks up his guitar, and with a smile from Sheehan he cuts loose, serenading around the stage as he does so, the notes are soaring from his fingers, he’s on fire and the crowd know it as they whoop and cheer to this, the song of the night.
We stay with the first album as the night finishes with a ‘Elevate’, a cracking up beat number to close. Sheehan’s bass runs are a delight as this one lifts the roof off and goes through the stratosphere. The breakdown is another musical indulgence as the guys end the night with a blistering showcase of musical talent.
What a night, a Bluespower masterclass from JARED JAMES NICHOLS, topped off with class headline set from a Supergroup just highlighting the fact they are back and punching hard! THE WINERY DOGS take a bow, that was a sensational set, full of the old, classic tracks much loved by the fans, segued in amongst great songs of their newest album, a must for anyone’s collection. If you didn’t catch them on this very short three date run then don’t forget they’re back in early October this year, check the dates on their website at www.thewinerydogs.com
