Foghat Emerges From Rock Mist To Play For Many Diehard Fans

Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan is a fan.

So is producer and American Records C.E.O. Rick Rubin.

And at one time, so was America.

We’re talking about ‘70s stalwart rock band Foghat.

Foghat, featuring the original lineup, plays the Northern Corner tonight.

Similar to many other products of the 1970s, the onset of punk, New Wave and even MTV rendered the blues-rock quartet extinct at the dawn of the 1980s.

Yet in the early ‘90s, when the Foghat’s Jurassic corpse - believed to have turned to dust many years before - suddenly woke from the dead.

The doltish cult film “Dazed and Confused” is credited for the bands rebirth. It included two Foghat songs on the soundtrack, “Slow Ride” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You.”

Guitarist/vocalist Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, drummer Roger Earl and guitarist Rod Price formed Foghat 25 years ago in England.

Like a number of British bands at the time, Foghat had a fondness for American roots music, particularly the blues. And just like their compatriots (Led Zeppelin, Cream, et al), the quartet sped up the blues and gave it an monstrous guitar sound.

Right from the get-go, Foghat was a hit in this country, especially with the rise of album-oriented FM radio.

Foghat hatched a string of blockbuster albums including 1974’s “Energized” and “Fool for the City,” 1976’s “Night Shift” and 1977’s “Foghat Live.” Those albums were bolstered by rock nuggets “Slow Ride,” “Fool for the City,” “Drivin’ Wheel” and many others.

The combo also helped usher in arena rock and became a staple of the arenas by attracting tens of thousands nightly.

After a ten-year run, Foghat’s popularity started to diminish. Rather than becoming the dinner guest that wouldn’t go home, Foghat smartly disbanded with the hope that one day the current would shift back in its favor.

“Punk might not have been good to Foghat, but it was a real shot in the arm for rock ‘n’ roll, which needs fresh blood and new influences to stay alive,” Peverett said in the band’s press materials. “I liked it, but I realized it was bands like us they wanted to get rid of. Which is why we decided to take a break.”

After the release of “Days and Confused,” the members of Foghat decided a reunion of the original lineup was finally relevant.

In 1994, the band teamed up with Rubin to record an album of entirely new material, “Return of the Boogie Men.”

Now with punk’s second grip on music loosening, Foghat is back, touring halls and clubs across the land.

But where as the band’s goal 20 years ago was to fill arenas, Foghat’s intent now is to entertain diehards, regardless of numbers.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing arena or clubs,” says Peverett, “as long as people are coming out and enjoying the shows.”

Local rock trio Mykey’s Outrage opens. The band will record a live album at the Northern Corner later this month.

Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. As of three days ago, the show was half-way to a sell-out. If you wait to get tickets just before the show, you might be turned away. Call 838-2484 for additional details.

Band to make debut

The Mayfield 4 will make its official debut tonight at Outback Jack’s Saturday.

If you don’t know by now, the band’s line-up includes former members of Citizen Swing (guitarists Myles Kennedy and Craig Johnson) and Shoveljerk (drummer Zia Uddin) as well as Give bassist Marty Meisner.

The band, which forges funk-less rock, has already played a couple of low-key dates opening for local bands. So far their reception has been positive.

According to Kennedy, the band’s sound shares common ground with quirky singer Jeff Buckley and British rock band Radiohead. See for yourself.

The Primrods and Greg open. The cover is $4.

Goodness back again

It appears Goodness has found a friend with Spokane. Twice the band has played here since August and twice it has been welcomed by full houses.

So the Seattle quintet’s show at the Northern Corner Saturday will likely draw another crowd.

The gig, also featuring Seattle bands Manray and Jodie Watts, will be Goodness’ last in the area for a while as it will head into the studio to start work on its second album for Atlantic Records. Showtime’s at 9:30 p.m. The cover is $5.

Makers cancel

If you were one of the hapless fans who attended the Makers’ gig at Ichabod’s North Oct. 25 only to discover the band was a no-show, don’t hold too much contempt for the band. The band had to cancel due to bass player Don Maker’s bout with food poisoning. The Makers will reschedule this month.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Nightwatch picks Best bets at area clubs: TONIGHT: Foghat and Mykey’s Outrage at the Northern Corner SATURDAY: Mayfield 4, Primrods and Greg at Outback Jack’s; Goodness, Manray and Jodie Watts at the Northern Corner