Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
Growing up when I did, we had so many different genres of music to choose from, one of those being classic rock. After hearing the blistering rock track, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” on FM radio, I had to find out who this killer group was, as well as their memorable lead vocalist/guitarist (at that time Lonesome Dave Peverett) who along with drummer Roger Earl, formed Foghat after the two of them departed Savoy Brown. Earl is still with the group.
Their debut single, originally recorded by blues artist Muddy Waters, catapulted the British blues-rock group to No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, and No. 31 in Australia.
The veteran band is back with a new album, “Sonic Mojo,” their 17th studio album and first new recording in seven years. Foghat, who celebrated their 50th anniversary as a band together in 2021, are currently touring in support of the record, appearing with another still-popular veteran rock group, Grand Funk Railroad, at the Hard Rock Casino’s Soundwaves Theatre in Atlantic City on Dec. 9.
“We have been collecting song ideas, both original compositions and cover songs that we could do interesting interpretations of for a couple of years,” Foghat guitarist Bryan Bassett told us in a recent interview while on the road. “Principal recording began a little over a year ago when we decided we had enough material for a record. The recording took place in our rehearsal/recording studio, Boogie Motel South in Central Florida; mixing and mastering was done in my home studio. Three songs were co-written with the brilliant Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown fame.”
Asked what songs the band currently plays in concert, whether old hits or new tracks, Bassett replied, “a combination of both works best for us. We will always play the hits that our fans expect us to play and as we have a new release, several of those songs will be in the set.
“At the end of every touring season, we always discuss what deep album tracks from previous records should go in the set. We like to change the show every year to surprise our fans with some songs they have not heard live in concert.”
Like all the other present Foghat members besides Earl, Bassett came from another previously successful band.
“I was very lucky to have a number one hit in 1976, ‘Play That Funky Music,’ with my band, Wild Cherry. In the mid-eighties I relocated from Pittsburgh to Central Florida where I became an engineer/producer for King Snake Studio, an indie blues label.
“I had a blues quartet, Blue Label, that was performing in Orlando. (The late) Lonesome Dave Peverett came to see us one night and sat in with us. We became fast friends, and he asked me to go on tour with him. That was my introduction to the Foghat family. In 1992 all of the original members of Foghat reformed and I joined (longtime Southern rock group) Molly Hatchet for seven years. In 1999 (guitarist) Rod Price retired and Roger Earl asked me to join as his replacement, and I’ve been there ever since.”
Looking Ahead: Norstep Productions’ first show of original indie rock at Rhythm & Spirits this Saturday Dec. 2 with Second Half Comeback, The Age of Ore, and Pierced. There’s one on Dec. 9, too at 8 p.m., $7; https://www.facebook.com/events/310864661729495/. Next week we interview hardcore rockers Agnostic Front, who play Anchor Rock Club Dec. 9 with Murphy’s Law and Grade 2 at 8 p.m., $25. anchorrockclub.com.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
