Back in the ’70s, you could count on a new Foghat album every year, starting with their 1972 self-titled debut. And back in the days when Top 40 radio played rock ‘n’ roll, the British rock band enjoyed their share of airplay with songs like “Fool For The City,” “Drivin’ Wheel” and their cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want to Make Love to You.” But their biggest hit – and one that remains a staple on classic rock stations – was “Slow Ride.”
Now, Foghat comes full circle with their first new album in six years, Under The Influence, which arrives June 24th. The band not only brought in some special guests from their past who helped launch and inspire the Foghat story, but also invited some new friends into the mix to continue the journey of this never idle band.
Exclusive: Best Classic Bands will premiere one of the new songs from Under The Influence on May 26!
Included on the album is a great new recording of “Slow Ride” to celebrate its 40th anniversary. They invited Nick Jameson, (original bass player and producer of “Slow Ride” on the 1975 Fool for the City album) to play along with Foghat bassist Craig MacGregor who played bass on the band’s 1977 Live LP. Lead singer Charlie Huhn provides inspired vocals. An extended guitar solo results in a terrific updating of the classic song. Clocking in at 7:43, it’s close in length to the original’s 8:14 and not the truncated single version one normally hears on the radio.
Related: Foghat: The Complete Bearsville Album Collection Released
Foghat started recording Under The Influence at their Florida studio, Boogie Motel South, in 2013. In addition to original drummer Roger Earl, long time bass player Craig MacGregor, Huhn and guitarist Bryan Bassett, two additional figures helped shape the sessions: Buddy Guy alum, Scott Holt, who lent a hand in the writing, and added guitar and vocals to several tracks, and Grammy winning producer/songwriter, Tom Hambridge.
Foghat started when Earl, bassist Tony Stevens and singer-guitarist Dave Peverett left the British blues band Savoy Brown, and were joined by guitarist Rod Price. Helping to bring things full circle, Savoy Brown founder and guitarist Kim Simmonds performs on Under The Influence. As Earl puts it “Kim gave me my shot!” Singer-actress Dana Fuchs adds vocals to several songs. Foghat enjoys an active – and entertaining – presence on Facebook.
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Under The Influence track listing:
Under The Influence
Knock It Off
Ghost
She’s Got A Ring In His Nose
Upside Of Lonely
Heard It Through The Grapevine
Made Up My Mind
Hot Mama
Heart Gone Cold
Honey Do List
All Because Of You
Slow Ride
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Foghat 2016 Tour Dates (click here for tickets; if sold-out, some dates are also available here):
May 20 – Arlington, TX – Arlington Music Hall
May 21 – Baraboo, WI – HCGWD Events Center (with the Fabulous Thunderbirds)
May 28 – Chico, CA – Silver Dollar Fair
May 29 – Victorville, CA – San Bernardino County Fair
June 5 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theater (with Night Ranger and Boston)
June 17 – Marion, IL – Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Summer Concert Weekend
June 18 – Florence, KY – Florence Freedom Ballpark
June 25 – Sunbury, PA – Spyglass Ridge Winery (with Joan Jett and Early & the Agitators)
June 30 – El Cajon, CA – Sycuan Casino
July 02 – Sherman, TX – Pecan Grove Park
July 16 – Albany, OR – Linn County Fair
July 20 – Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena (with Boston and Blue Oyster Cult)
July 22 – Walker, MN – Moondance Jam 25
Aug 03 – Columbus, OH – Ohio State Fair (with John Kay and Steppenwolf)
Aug 04 – Kitchener, ON – Kitchener Blues Festival (with Earl & the Agitators)
Aug 06 – Okoboji, IA – Arnold’s Park
Aug 08 – Sturgis, SD – Full Throttle Saloon
Aug 09 – Ridgefield, WA – Clark County Fair
Aug 12 – Santa Cruz, CA – Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Aug 19 – Wendover, NV – Peppermill Casino
Aug 22 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Aug 28 – Uncasvile, CT – Mohegan Sun
Sept 2 – Woodward, OK – Woodward County Fairgrounds
Sept 3 – Walla Walla, WA – Walla Wall Frontier Days 2016
Sept 4 – Huron, SD – South Dakota State Fair
Sept 17 – Cottonwood, AZ – Thunder Valley Rally
Sept 21 – New York, NY – BB King’s
Oct 08 – Colonial Beach, VA – Colonial Beach Bike Festival
Oct 14 – Las Vegas, NV – Golden Nugget Casino
Oct 15 – Tyler, TX – Rock the Square
