Tesla is an American rock band from Sacramento, California. In late 1981, bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon formed a band named City Kidd, which evolved into Tesla.[1] By 1984, vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarist Tommy Skeoch, and drummer Troy Luccketta had joined the band, forming their classic lineup that appeared on all of the albums and live shows during their initial run. The band adopted the Tesla moniker shortly before recording their first album, as another band with a name similar to City Kidd already existed.
Tesla rose to fame during the hair metal boom of the 1980s.[2] Their debut album, Mechanical Resonance, was released in 1986, which produced two hit singles, "Modern Day Cowboy" and their cover of "Little Suzi" (originally by Ph.D.). The band's second album, The Great Radio Controversy (1989), peaked at number 18 on the Billboard 200 album chart and produced the top-ten single "Love Song". The band recorded and released their third album, the live acoustic album Five Man Acoustical Jam, in 1990. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and produced their top-charting single (number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100), "Signs", a cover of a song by the Five Man Electrical Band. Their third studio album, Psychotic Supper (1991), peaked at number 13, but lacked a hit single; similarly their next album, 1994's Bust a Nut did well enough on the album charts, peaking at number 20, but also lacked any radio hits.
The band broke up in 1996, but returned in 2000 with a live tour and album, both named Replugged. They have continued to record and tour, though Skeoch left in 2006 and was replaced by Dave Rude on guitars. Their most recent release is the single "Time to Rock!", was released in June 2022. Tesla have sold at least 14 million albums in the United States.[3]
History
Formation and Mechanical Resonance (1981–1988)
The band City Kidd was renamed Tesla during the recording of their first album, 1986's Mechanical Resonance,[4] 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.[4] 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 Robert Contreras, who was soon replaced by ex-Eric Martin Band drummer[5] Troy Luccketta.
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 labeling.[6][7] The band, according to Troy Luccketta, now does not mind being labeled as a part of that scene.[8]
The Great Radio Controversy and Psychotic Supper (1989–1993)
The band released their second album, The Great Radio Controversy, in 1989.[4] The album helped solidify the band's growing reputation and fan base, and produced five hit singles, including the power ballad "Love Song".[4]
In 1990, Tesla released Five Man Acoustical Jam,[4] 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.[4] The band itself considers this to be their best album according to their official web site.[9] The 1998 Japanese reissue import of Psychotic Supper contains one previously unreleased song, "Rock the Nation", as well as the songs "I Ain't Superstitious", and "Run Run Run", both of which had only been previously available as B-sides to two singles from The Great Radio Controversy.
Bust a Nut and hiatus (1994–1996)
In 1994, the band released their fourth studio album, Bust a Nut.[4] The Japanese edition of Bust a Nut contained 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 formed Moon Dog Mane, while Troy Luccketta worked with several local artists including the Bay Area's One Thin Dime.
Reunion, Into the Now and Real to Reel (2000–2007)
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 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 continuing problems with substance abuse.[10][11] Scott Johnson of the Sacramento band Rogue filled in for a time on this tour. Eventually Dave Rude replaced Skeoch permanently.
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 two-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) was initially available to concert goers in the US 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 June and July 2008, Tesla played a few shows in Europe and the US, including Sweden Rock Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting and Rocklahoma. On July 15, 2008, "Tesla- Comin' Atcha Live! 2008" was released from a live concert filmed February 22, 2008 at the sold out Myth Nightclub in Maplewood, Minnesota. The two-hour show included hits "Modern Day Cowboy", "Love Song" and "Song and Emotion" along with additional backstage footage.
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.[12][13] 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" and "Breakin' Free".
On May 10, 2011, the band played at a rally for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. 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,[14] they released a mostly acoustic album titled Twisted Wires and the Acoustic Sessions.[15]
Simplicity and Shock (2013–present)
In June 2013, Tesla released a new single "Taste My Pain" on iTunes. They released their eighth studio album Simplicity on June 6, 2014.[16]
On August 26, 2016,[17] Tesla released Mechanical Resonance Live in celebration of the album's 30th anniversary. It features live versions of every song from the original album and includes the new single "Save That Goodness", written and produced by Phil Collen of Def Leppard.[18]
In April 2017, Tesla began working on their ninth studio album, Shock, which was produced by Collen,[19] and released on March 8, 2019.[20][21]
Tesla released the one-off single "Cold Blue Steel" in August 2021, followed a year later by "Time to Rock!".[22][23]
Charity work
While promoting their album The Great Radio Controversy, the band participated in a canned food drive that allowed free concert admission to contributors, this event was incorporated into the video for "The Way It Is". 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.[24]
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.[25]
Musical style and influences
Most of Tesla's albums feature a bluesy hard rock style.[2] Brian Wheat stated to have been influenced by classic 1970s rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Bad Company and the Beatles.[26] Tesla's first two albums are often classified as glam metal,[27][28] though AllMusic's Steve Huey opined that the band's blues and 1970s hard rock influences set them apart from their contemporaries.[2]Loudwire described Tesla as a "thinking man's hair metal band",[29] and VH1 ranked them at No. 22 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hair Metal.[30]
Band members
Current members
Brian Wheat – bass, backing vocals, keyboards, piano (1981–1996, 2000–present)
Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1976 in Sheffield. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen, and Vivian Campbell. They established themselves as part of the new wave of British heavy metal of the early 1980s. Their greatest commercial success came between the early 1980s and early 1990s.
Cinderella was an American rock band formed in the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1983. The band emerged in the mid-1980s with a series of multi-platinum studio albums and hit singles whose music videos received heavy MTV rotation and popularity. Cinderella initially had a glam metal sound throughout the late 1980s before shifting into a more blues rock-based sound during the early to mid 1990s.
Nonpoint is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The band currently consists of vocalist Elias Soriano, drummer Robb Rivera, rhythm guitarist Rasheed Thomas, bassist Adam Woloszyn, and lead guitarist Jaysin Zeilstra.
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2000, the band's lineup of Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher and Brann Dailor (drums/vocals) has remained unchanged since 2001. Mastodon has released eight studio albums, as well as a number of other releases. The band's 2002 debut album, Remission, garnered significant critical acclaim for its unique sound. Mastodon's second full-length release, Leviathan, is a concept album based on the novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. Three magazines awarded the record "Album of the Year" in 2004: Revolver, Kerrang! and Terrorizer.
Five Man Acoustical Jam is a live album recorded at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia and released in 1990 by the band Tesla, using acoustic guitars instead of the electric guitars for which pop-metal bands such as Tesla are traditionally known.
Bust a Nut is the fourth studio album by American hard rock band Tesla, released in 1994. It was their final studio album on Geffen Records. The first single was "Mama's Fool," followed by "Need Your Loving" and "A Lot To Lose." The album was certified gold by RIAA on March 16, 1995.
Psychotic Supper is the third studio album by American hard rock band Tesla, released in 1991. The album peaked at 13 on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum by RIAA on November 5, 1993.
"Photograph" is a song by the English rock band Def Leppard and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. It is the lead single from the band's third studio album, Pyromania (1983). Their lead vocalist Joe Elliott has described the song as generally about "something you can't ever get your hands on". When released as a single it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart, where it stayed for six weeks, and No. 12 on the Pop Singles chart.
Into the Now is the fifth studio album by the rock band Tesla. Following a six-year hiatus due to Tommy Skeoch's rehabilitation for drug abuse, Tesla reunited for this album released in 2004.
Mechanical Resonance is the debut studio album by the American hard rock band Tesla. It was released on December 8, 1986, by Geffen Records.
Replugged Live is the second live album by the rock band Tesla. Tesla recorded the first half of their 12-month 2001 Replugged Reunion Tour. Recording started in Detroit, Michigan. A fan poll was set up on the band's website to see what tracks the fans would like to see on the double live album. Professional music photographer Gino Carlini was brought on to the tour to photograph the album cover and packaging. The cover image is from their show at The Pageant theater in St. Louis, Missouri. A shortened version of the album called Standing Room Only was released on March 5, 2002.
Forever More is the eighth studio album by hard rock band Tesla, released on October 7, 2008. The album was produced by Terry Thomas, engineered by Michael Rosen, and recorded and mixed at J Street Recorders in Sacramento, California by Terry Thomas and Michael Rosen. The album cover art portrays the famous “Lovers of Valdaro”, discovered by archaeologists outside of Mantua, Italy, in 2007.
Real to Reel, Vol. 2 is the seventh studio album by hard rock band Tesla, and the second part of the band's covers album Real to Reel, released in retail outlets on September 25, 2007. The album was initially only available to people attending the band's 2007 concert tour during August 2007, when the first volume was released, but then became available at retail outlets in September. It was also released free with August 2007 copies of the UK magazine Classic Rock.
Mr. Big is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1988. The band was originally composed of Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass), and Pat Torpey (drums). Though primarily a hard rock band, they are also known for softer songs. Their songs are often marked by strong vocals and vocal harmonies. Their hits include "To Be with You" and "Just Take My Heart". The band takes its name from a song by Free which it covered on the 1993 album Bump Ahead.
"Little Suzi's on the Up" is a song by British new wave group Ph.D. It was released as the band's first single, appearing on their self-titled debut. The music video for the song was notable for being the fifth music video shown during MTV's launch on 1 August 1981. It is sometimes misspelled by music video stations as Susie or Suzy. Suzi is the correct spelling.
"Modern Day Cowboy" is the debut single by American rock band Tesla, from the band's debut studio album, Mechanical Resonance. The song's lyrics make references to criminals such as Billy the Kid and Al Capone, until the final verse, which references Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
"Hang Tough" is a song by American rock band Tesla. The song was released as the second single from the band's second studio album, The Great Radio Controversy. "Hang Tough" peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Twisted Wires & the Acoustic Sessions... is the ninth studio album by American hard rock band Tesla. It was released on July 12, 2011. The album features two new tracks as well as re-recordings of ten previously released tracks. Five of the tracks were recorded in 2005 with Tommy Skeoch on rhythm guitar.
"Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)" is a song by American rock band Tesla. The song was released as the lead single from the group's second studio album, The Great Radio Controversy. The song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart on March 18, 1989.
Shock is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Tesla. Produced and co-written by Phil Collen, the work was released on 8 March 2019 via UMe. and recorded at J Street Recorders.
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