The Other Side

Album: The Winery Dogs (2013)
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Songfacts®:

  • The Winery Dogs are an American rock group formed in New York City in 2012 by former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portney, Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan and ex-Poison guitarist Richie Kotzen. Regarding how The Winery Dogs got their moniker, Portnoy explained to Review Fix: "It was Richie's name. We had a list of about 50 names. I had about 10 that I preferred over The Winery Dogs, but you know, when you're in a band, you have to give and take and choose your battles, and Richie really, really loved this band name. So, you know, it was, like, 'OK.' A name is a name. If you feel that strongly about it, then go for it. So that's who we are."
  • Richie Kotzen wrote the lyric on this one, where he sings about being confused and disoriented after a breakup. "Meet me where we cross the other side," he tells the woman who has been tormenting him in love. He'll see her again in heaven.
  • This is one of Mike Portnoy's favorites on the album. "It's a great, upbeat song," he said in a track-by-track video interview. "I love the vocals on the chorus, it's got a great extended jam at the end which is really cool."

Comments: 2

  • Denise from Pembroke Pines, FlNot sure how I failed to mention Richie Kotzen's incredible voice in my comment above (my bad!) Great singer, his voice is so expressive, full of power and angst. He'd be an awesome frontman even without the guitar.
  • Denise from Pembroke Pines, FlIt's very difficult to choose a favorite song from The Winery Dogs truly amazing self-titled first record since there are at least 8 (no exaggeration) really REALLY great songs on this album. This is one super talented band for sure, with impressive pedigrees and chops BEYOND, but what makes them so exciting is that this is a new band playing new music and it is AWESOME. With elements of 70s hard rock, 90s grunge, old school soul and yes even pop in the overall musical feel and songwrting, it is a blend that sounds current and kicks major butt, filling a huge hole in the dearth of Rock music in 2014, which is wallowing in its undeniably great but rather played out classic mire. The songs (Elevate, I'm No Angel, Not Hopeless, We are One, Desire) are heavy rock songs in pop-like song structures with singable verses and infectiously catchy choruses and incredibly off the chain solos for both guitar AND bass. Introspective and mature lyrics that I personally really connect with. And live? I just saw them last week at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. They blew the room away!!
    Anyway, back to this song - 'The Other Side' - it is my favorite song on this album. I always thought it was about death, or maybe just about change.
    At first listen it sounded a little like STP but it soon revealed its own character. It is fast to start, the solo in the middle has a beautiful tone that is almost wistful, in a heavy kind of way. The chorus is killer. The ending section is a headbanging beautiful thing and Richie's guitar playing just blows my mind it is so good. When they played it live Billy S. also did 7 minute bass solo (SICK!!) This song is not just my fave on the record but has made the list as one of my all time
    favorite songs ever, it is that good!! This band rocks - I hope they are around for a long time.
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