By Danny Coleman
originally published: 07/01/2016
"We've got a number of dates already down and we're going to the studio in Florida to re-learn some more stuff. This time we're going to be making live recordings on the road, see what comes of it; things have changed over the years and it's time for some new representations of our music. The world changes and there's nothing wrong with that, music changes too; without music life would be a mistake," says Roger Earl, drummer of the classic rock band Foghat.
Currently back out on the road in support of their most recent studio album, "Under The Influence," Earl says that band is "Sounding better than ever" and that "They're having a lot of fun with it." "This album, I think it's really, really good," he said with confidence as he explained how it came about. "Not that our other albums weren't good but this one is special; it took us three years to complete. The first year and a half we spent in our own studio going over the basic idea and started writing and putting down different tracks."
The recording process changed for the better when they brought songwriter/producer Tom Hambridge on board to take some of the pressure off of lead guitarist Brian Bassett. "Brian was doing an incredible job for us but he was pulling triple duty. Four years ago I was a presenter at the Memphis Blues Awards and I was asked to present an award to Buddy Guy; talk about a thrill, a highlight for me for sure. After the show, we went to the hotel bar as we often do (laughs) and we started talking with Tom Hambridge who is a fantastic songwriter and he said that he wanted to produce an album. We were quite thrilled to give him a shot and as it turned out, he was a terrific producer; he held everyone together and this was the best time that I've had making a record. We wound up finishing the album in Nashville with guest musicians like Kim Simmonds from Savoy Brown,who gave me my first shot by the way and Nick Jameson was there to re-record "Slow Ride" for the 40th Anniversary of the song; can you believe it's been 40 years since we did that (laughs)? Gosh, where did that time go?"
Over the years, Foghat has evolved in terms of cast and is not the same group which Earl and Lonesome Dave Peverett formed circa 1971. Cancer claimed Peverett and a heart attack took the life of lead guitarist Rod Price but the band carried on despite their loss. "We may have changed personnel but we've tried to stay true to the core of the group," said a retrospective Earl. "I'm still here and we have Brian on guitar along with Charlie Huhn on vocals and currently Rodney O'Quinn from Pat Travers on bass guitar. We generally use Craig Macgregor on bass but he's battling some health issues at the moment so he hand picked Rodney to take over and he's fit right in. I'm very happy with the current lineup and we all get on very well so it's a win win for us."
Earl is currently endorsed by DW Drums and Paiste Cymbals and just like the band, things change over time. "I was with Ludwig Drums forever but I felt the company changed a bit when Bill Ludwig left; the company just wasn't the same. I called DW and was invited to their factory and I saw the entire process that goes into making their product and it was impressive. They are fantastic, terrific people and I'll be with them until I depart the earth (laughs). I switched cymbals too because I decided I wanted some variety in sound. One day I was talking with Bobby Rondenelli (Rainbow) and he said, "Hey Roger, you should try Paiste," so I did and they're great! I use Promark sticks as well."
Over his career, Earl has had many accolades, triumphs and fond memories; some of which he recounts without hesitation. "Oh geez, so many over the years but when we did the "Rock Legends" thing, a highlight was seeing Greg Allman; it had to be the best he's sounded since the Fillmore. Another was years back, Savoy Brown opened for The Who and I recall Keith Moon walking in with Zildjian Cymbals under his arm and as he changed out his old cymbals for those new ones, he gave me his old ones right off of his drum kit; I was thrilled of course. The guys in The Who were always friendly; I got to perform "Magic Bus" with them which is also something I'll not forget."
Earl says that Foghat will continue to tour and play their brand of blues and rock as long as they have an audience for it but until then they've got this tour, recording for a future release and the new CD to promote and have no intentions on slowing down. Look for Foghat coming to headline in NJ at the "Quick Chek NJ Festival of Ballooning on July 31 in Fairfield NJ. To discover more about Foghat, the tour and news on the band; please go to www.foghat.net.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
No music due to holiday weekend
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Fri. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 6p.m. Phineas, Emrys, Disaffect, Zoume, Hollow Visions, All ages, $12/$14
Sat. 7p.m. The Hannas, The Detours, Mongooch, To The Skyline, Acorn Slim of Jackie Puppet. All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road, New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Len Piero Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Annual Jazz BBQ Jam. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
Columbus Farmers Market2919 Route 206 South, Columbus
Thurs. 5 p.m. Sweetie Pie
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Ghantt
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Mike Estabrook
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Visoon
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (3 p.m.) Behn Gillece
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Ja Tun & Random Acts Of Soul
Sat. 8 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd.
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Halo Pub 9 Hulfish Street, Princeton
(609) 921-1710
Mon. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton Jazz Group
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thus. 10 p.m. "College Beat The Clock Night" DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8 p.m. "The Best of The Eagles" Eagles tribute. Doors at 6 p.m., SOLD OUT as of this publish date call for availability
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Wired
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Live, Local, Unplugged" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Seth Andrews
Fri. 6 p.m. Catmoondaddy
Sat. 6 p.m. Bob Tomlinson
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hazlerigg Brothers
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 7 p.m. Lauren Marsh
Sat. 1 p.m. Chris Roselle
Sun. 2 p.m. John & Maggs
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Toft & The All Stars
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
All shows 21+
Jake's Pub869
Bustleton Pike, Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Tues. 5 p.m. Bill Shannon
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. The Cryptkeeper 5 / All Pawns
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Fri. 9 p.m. The Polish Nannies
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Sat. 1 p.m. The Bergers
Sun. 1 p.m. Roundabout 360
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road, Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thues. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
No music due to holiday weekend
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9:30 p.m. The Separations
Plumsted Grill457 Rte. 539, Cream Ridge
(609) 758-5552
Thurs. 8 p.m. John & Maggs
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web page for upcoming events
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) CLOSED for Vacation. Reopen on 7/7
Sportsman's Pub819 Lalor Street, Hamilton
(609) 393-4464
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJFatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. The Jersey Surecats
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Justin Pope / Church Girls. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Full Grown Men. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m.Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
