I've already admitted to having bought albums based solely on their covers. Now I have to own up to the fact that I have also been known to buy albums based on nothing other than a band's name. And in one case, I did both.
Before I ever heard the music, I saw the cover of the album titled Foghat. The album is often referred to as Rock and Roll because of its cover, which consisted of the band's name, and pictures of a rock and a bread roll. A rock. A roll. Foghat. How cool was that? Best of all, they played some really kickin' electric rock!
That was Foghat's second album, released in 1973. In 1977, Foghat forever established itself as a killer live band with the release of Foghat Live, the best selling of the band's 17 albums.
The original Foghat, formed in 1970, consisted of vocalist/guitarist "Lonesome Dave" Peverett, drummer Roger Earl, bassist Tony Stevens and guitarist Rod Price.
Today, Earl is carrying on the Foghat tradition with a busy tour schedule, a new live album (released in June 2007) and plans for a new studio album in 2008. For Foghat's drummer, the band's present and future are just as bright as its past.
About Classic Rock:
It has been 30 years now since the release of Foghat Live. Now,
along comes Live II. What's going to be the biggest difference in the two?
Roger Earl:
Hmmm ... biggest difference ... let's see ... size matters! Live was 12" and Live II is 4-1/2"! That's one. On the first album we had six songs, and on the new one we have 20. You get your money's worth here.
The first Live album still sounds great, even today. But this record sounds like four maniacs in your living room or car. Sonically, with today's technology, this is a great live recording. Yeah, I think we got it right this time as well.
About Classic Rock:
Foghat has always been considered one of the best live performance bands out there, but are there any plans for a new studio album to follow up on [2003's] Family Joules?
Roger Earl:
Definitely. We just got a new band house down in Florida on ten acres. We are going to build a studio down there, but in the meantime we will set up our mobile recording unit in the house and start recording and writing. This will be this coming January through April, while we are not playing much. So, yes, we will be working on a new studio album and we are also going to do a blues album. That is something that has always been close to our hearts and we will probably get some special guests to play on it. Yeah, making music and having fun!
About Classic Rock:
A lot of people are thinking about retirement after 37 years on the job, but looking at your tour schedule for the rest of 2007, you guys aren't showing any signs of slowing down. How long do you plan to keep up this pace?
Roger Earl:
It's not just a job, it's an adventure! Sometimes the traveling can be a bit tiresome, but the audiences are still great, and we seem to be getting a whole new younger set of 12- to 25- year-olds coming to our shows, in addition to our long time fans. Very interesting and cool. I can't see us slowing down anytime soon. We are still having way too much fun.
About Classic Rock:
Aside from the personal loss, what have the band's biggest challenges been since the deaths of [original Foghat members] Dave Peverett [of cancer in 2000] and Rod Price [of a heart attack in 2005]?
Roger Earl:
I think that one of our biggest challenges is making people aware that the band still plays great and is a viable rock 'n' roll band. This is one of the reasons that we recorded Live II, to show people that Foghat's music lives. We are a work in progress.
About Classic Rock:
In another 35 years or so when you do retire, what would you like Foghat's legacy to be? How would you like for the band to be remembered?
Roger Earl:
Let's see, 35 years from now? Foghat will have been around for 70 years. It would be cool if somebody said, "You should have seen Foghat. What a rock 'n' roll band!" Then they put on Live or Live II or Fool for the City, on whatever the current media is [then] and say, "Check this out, son!"
