The eagerly awaited follow-up to Foghat‘s “Sonic Mojo” album is here. After 32 weeks in the Top 10 on the Billboard Blues Album chart, Foghat has written and recorded a brand-new song, “On Tonsils & Sneakers”, dedicated to original lead singer and guitarist Lonesome Dave Peverett, who passed in 2000. The song’s affectionate title is inspired by Peverett‘s infamous stage introduction, “On Tonsils and Sneakers, I’m Lonesome Dave,” and pays homage to the iconic shiny silver or gold sneakers he always wore on stage.
“On Tonsils & Sneakers” is being released on seven-inch 45 RPM Red Translucent vinyl and the B-side will be “Black Days & Blue Nights” from “Sonic Mojo”, which pays tribute to the band’s original slide guitarist Rod Price, who passed away in 2005.
“On Tonsils & Sneakers” was written by Foghat‘s current lineup: founding drummer Roger Earl, lead singer/guitarist Scott Holt, slide guitarist/engineer/co-producer Bryan Bassett, bassist/vocalist Rodney O’Quinn. The song is out today on all digital outlets, and the vinyl version will be released on November 29 (Black Friday/Record Store Day) on Foghat‘s own label, Foghat Records, with distribution by Select-O-Hits in the U.S. and by Proper Music in the U.K. It will also be released in Europe on Metalville Records both digitally and on clear seven-inch 45 RPM vinyl on November 29.
Foghat chose to release both songs as a heartfelt tribute to their two original members. Founding member Roger Earl continues to keep the music alive, always paying respect to the band’s roots and acknowledging the lasting contributions of Dave and Rod to the band’s enduring legacy.
“When Lonesome Dave sang and played with this band, he gave nothing less than 100%,” declares Roger Earl. “I loved playing with Dave. All I had to do was have fun playing drums. Yeah… Lonesome Dave on Tonsils and Sneakers!”
“Every once in a while, you meet someone who changes the whole trajectory of your life,” proclaims Bryan Bassett. “Lonesome Dave Peverett was that person for me. From the day we met in the late ’80s, our friendship blossomed, I became his touring partner, I met my future wife, and became a part of the Foghat family. This song ‘On Tonsils & Sneakers’ is our tribute to him and was his unique way of introducing himself from the stage. Oh… and he loved designing his stage tennis shoes!”
“This song that the boys came up with really is a brilliant tribute to my Dad,” says Jason Peverett, Dave‘s son.
“Sonic Mojo” was released on November 10, 2023, and remained on the Billboard Top 10 Blues Albums chart for 32 weeks. It is the first time the band — which originated in 1971 — has ever landed at No. 1 on any of Billboard‘s charts after a new album release. Even “Slow Ride” never reached No. 1.
