Tesla (band)

Tesla

"Forever More" at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY April 27, 2009
Background information
Also known as City Kidd
Origin Sacramento, California, USA
Genres Hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock
Years active 1981–1996, 2000–present
Labels Geffen, Tesla Electric Company Recordings (Ryko Distribution)
Associated acts Bar 7
Website teslatheband.com
Members Jeff Keith
Frank Hannon
Brian Wheat
Troy Luccketta
Dave Rude
Past members Tommy Skeoch

Tesla is an American rock band formed in Sacramento, California in late 1982. They have sold 14 million albums in the United States.

Background

In late 1982, bassist Brian Wheat (age 20) and guitarist Frank Hannon (age 15) formed City Kidd, a band that then spent time gigging at Sacramento's defunct Oasis Ballroom.[1] They also began working with American rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose towards writing hard rock hit singles, reasoning "We wanted to get signed, and we thought the way to do that was to write a hit single."[1] New producers and managers turned the group towards radio pop rock and, to come up with the appropriate material, band manager Steve Clausman hired Grammy award winner Duane Hitchings, who provided the music to Rod Stewart songs such as "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Infatuation". A representative from Geffen Records then saw where the City Kidd band was headed and let them know that he would only sign them if they "[wrote] from the gut and not from formulas."[1] By 1986, the band had again changed its direction under a new name, Tesla.

Formation and Mechanical Resonance (1982-1988)

The band City Kidd was renamed Tesla during the recording of their first album, 1986's Mechanical Resonance, on the advice of their manager that City Kidd was not a great name (in addition, there was already another band going by that name). The band derived their name, certain album and song titles, and some song content from events relating to inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. Along with the band's next two studio albums, Mechanical Resonance was produced by Michael Barbiero and Steve Thompson

The band's original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat, and drummer Troy Luccketta.

Tesla's music is often referred to as hard rock or hair metal. The band's lyrics also strayed from the themes popular in hard rock, particularly in the 1980s at the beginning of their career. In the early days of their career, Tesla toured with David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, and Poison which resulted in the band being categorized as a glam metal band. The band's members resented this labelling. The band was booed off the stage while opening for Def Leppard at Calgary, which was unfair as they were playing well, but were then hardly known and the crowd wanted the main act.[2][3]

The Great Radio Controversy and Psychotic Supper (1989-1993)

It was three years before the band released their second album, The Great Radio Controversy. The album helped solidify the band's growing reputation and fan base. The album produced the hit single, a classic '80s power ballad "Love Song".

In 1990, Tesla released Five Man Acoustical Jam, a live album featuring acoustic renditions of hits such as "Comin' Atcha Live", "Gettin' Better", "Modern Day Cowboy", and "Love Song". The album also featured a number of covers most notably a version of "Signs", a 1971 hit by the Five Man Electrical Band.

In 1991 the band released their third studio album Psychotic Supper. The band itself considers this to be their best album according to their official web site. The 1998 Japanese reissue import of Psychotic Supper contains three previously unreleased songs, including "Rock the Nation", "I Ain't Superstitious", and "Run Run Run".

Bust a Nut and hiatus (1994-1999)

In 1994 the band released their fourth studio album Bust a Nut. The 1998 Japanese reissue import of Bust a Nut contains the previously unreleased cover of Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean".

After the release of Bust a Nut, Skeoch departed because of his struggle with substance abuse. He rejoined after completing rehab, only to depart again months later. The band moved forward as a four piece for a short while. However, it wasn't long before Skeoch briefly joined up with solo artist Marshall Coleman's band to support his solo career, only to see a departure of Marshall soon after. This band eventually morphed to include Jeff Keith and resurfaced as Bar 7 with a single "Four Leaf Clover", from the album The World Is a Freak. Brian Wheat formed Soulmotor and Frank Hannon Moon Dog Mane, while Troy Luccketta worked with several local artists including the Bay Area's One Thin Dime.

Reunion (2000-present)

After a break of six years, the Sacramento Bee reported that the band had reformed in 2000 with the help of local radio personality Pat Martin of KRXQ. The band played an emotional sold out show at Arco Arena in Sacramento on October 25, 2000. Soon after they recorded the double live album Replugged Live. In 2002 they were featured in the Rock Never Stops Tour alongside other 1980s rock bands.

2002 saw the release of a further live album Standing Room Only which is just a single CD version of Replugged Live.

In 2004 they released their fifth studio album Into the Now which debuted on the Billboard album chart at number 30. The album was well received by fans and the band was featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

In February 2005, Tesla headlined a benefit show at the PPAC in Providence, Rhode Island for the victims of the Station nightclub fire. During the show the band auctioned off an autographed acoustic guitar with the proceeds going to the Station Family Fund. 100% of the ticket sales also went to this charity.

In the summer of 2006, the band embarked on the Electric Summer Jam Tour without guitarist Tommy Skeoch. Skeoch had left the band indefinitely to spend time with his family, and, as he later revealed on "The Classic Metal Show," other reasons; particularly his problems with substance abuse.[4][5] Dave Rude replaced Skeoch on the tour and has remained with the band ever since.

"Cumin' Atcha Live" appeared in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Tesla recorded a two-volume collection of cover songs titled Real to Reel, which was released on June 5, 2007. The recording is available as a 2-CD set. The first CD (containing 13 songs) is sold in a case with a blank slot for the second CD. The second CD (containing 12 additional songs) will initially be available to concert goers in the USA at no additional charge beyond the cost of a ticket. The second CD was also given away with the August edition of Classic Rock magazine in Europe.

At the end of August Tesla announced their first world tour in 16 years with dates in Australia, Japan, and Europe in October and November 2007.

In February 2008, Tesla helped fund and headlined a benefit concert for victims of the Station nightclub fire. The show was broadcast by VH1 Classic. Tesla played three songs: "What You Give", "Signs", and "Love Song", though "What You Give" did not make it onto the broadcast.

In June and July 2008, Tesla played a few shows in Europe and the USA, including Sweden Rock Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting and Rocklahoma.

On August 11, 2008, it was reported that Tesla's next album, entitled Forever More, would be released on October 7 on their own record label, Tesla Electric Company Recordings.[6][7] The album was produced by Terry Thomas, who produced Bust a Nut. The band aired the album's first single, "I Wanna Live" on radio stations across the globe on August 18 and kicked off a world tour on October 1. Forever More debuted No. 33 on The Billboard 200 chart and spawned singles I Wanna Live, Fallin' Apart & Breakin' Free.

In 2009, Tesla was announced to be among the performers on the cruise ship "ShipRocked" in November 2009.[8]

In 2010, Jeff Keith and Frank Hannon appeared on That Metal Show and announced that they were working on material for a new album,[9] though their studio burned to the ground on September 30, 2010.[10]

On May 10, 2011, the band played at a rally for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. Tesla performed two songs, "Signs" and "Love Song" during the Kings #HereWeRally at Cesar Chavez Park in Sacramento, California to celebrate the team staying in Sacramento for at least one more year.

On July 12, 2011[11] they released a mostly acoustic album titled Twisted Wires and the Acoustic Sessions.[12]

In June 2013, Tesla released a new single "Taste My Pain" on iTunes. They released their new album Simplicity on June 6, 2014.[13]

Band members

Current members
Former members

Discography

Main article: Tesla discography
Studio albums

Tours

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David Barton (November 30, 1986), "Electric Energy Tesla Turning It On While Waiting For Big Time To Come Knocking", Sacramento Bee, Sec. Encore, p. 2, retrieved January 18, 2013
  2. ↑ TESLA Bassist: Don't Call Us A Glam Band – Apr. 7, 2004 – BLABBERMOUTH.COM
  3. ↑ Dab Rao Tracks Down Tesla Frontman Jeff Keith – Tesla Interview – KNAC.COM
  4. ↑ Bukszpan, Daniel; Dio, Ronnie James (2003-10-01). The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal. Barnes & Noble Publishing. pp. 239–. ISBN 978-0-7607-4218-1. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  5. ↑ Maples, Tina (January 18, 1996). "Rockers Tesla keeps on Steppin'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Tesla Announces New Album Release Date – in Metal News (Metal Underground.com)
  7. ↑ TESLA To Release 'Forever More' In October – Aug. 11, 2008 | BLABBERMOUTH.NET
  8. ↑ getshiprocked.com
  9. ↑ "VH1's That Metal Show".
  10. ↑ "Sacramento Bee".
  11. ↑ "Discogs.com".
  12. ↑ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - TESLA: 'Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions' European Release Date Announced". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  13. ↑ "BLABBERMOUTH.NET - TESLA To Release 'Simplicity' Album In June". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2014-04-18.

External links

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