Arguably the most American sounding act to ever come from the south of England, Foghat quickly became big stars in the US, but are often massively overlooked by UK audiences when it comes to classic rock. One of the most underrated bands from the 70s and 80s, their best work comes with plenty of enthusiasm, and a whole lot of muscle. Even at their peak, they never really strove for originality, but there’s so much about their sound that should have placed them in a similar standing with the early ZZ Top. Whereas the bearded ones’ early releases continue to be praised by UK rock fans and press alike – particularly 1973’s ‘Tres Hombres’ – the best that Foghat seem to have been afforded, at least in terms of popular culture, is a song or two on an occasional film soundtrack.
Author Archives: Real Gone
RUSSIAN BATHS – Done And Dead / Rise Again
Russian Baths first appeared on the alternative music scene back in 2016 with a two track release pairing their shoegaze anthem ‘Ambulance’ with the slightly more melodic indie/goth workout ‘Ghost’. It was immediately clear that the Brooklyn based duo were well versed in some great retro sounds, since the tracks conveyed a massive love for Jesus & Mary Chain, as well as slightly more melodic 4AD fare like Cranes and Slowdive. They were the kind of band that older indie fans could take to heart with immediate effect, but although their sounds drew strong links with a shoegaze past, they also seemed like a band who – much like A Place To Bury Strangers – would be able to take such heavily distorted drones seem wholly relevant in the present.
DREAMS OF GRAY – The World Over EP
According to his own press materials, Abolisher’s Luis Rivera formed Dreams of Gray almost by accident. Finding himself unable to perform due to the pandemic lockdown of 2020, he spent time working on new studio ideas, and this intensive thrash/death crossover release was the result. Although it only features three tracks, ‘The World After’ delivers very highly in terms of old school riffs.
LOVE LANGUAGE – Indian Cowboy EP
On their 2021 EP ‘Trying To Reach You’ Canadian alt-rock band Love Language found themselves dabbling with a number of different styles. On the release’s lead track ‘Design’, they gleefully placed a sixties pop twang beneath a lax vocal that created something that sounded like Kim Gordon fronting a surf rock band. Throughout ‘Lucked Out’, they took the 90s slacker vibe and fused it with music that never seemed a million miles away from Cowboy Junkies supplied with extra reverb. It was one of those EPs where, no matter where you dropped in, the music had a pleasingly nostalgic feel, whilst still feeling relevant.
FATSO JETSON / DALI’S LLAMA – Legends Of The Desert Vol. 3
As its title suggests, ‘Legends of The Desert Vol. 3’ is the third an ongoing series of split/compilation releases bringing together material from various cult stoner rock/desert rock acts. By presenting a couple of the underground’s better known acts, this third instalment automatically runs rings around its two predecessors, and the promise of new material from the mighty Fatso Jetson automatically ensures this disc will become a favourite with genre fans everywhere.