Live Gig Review and Article Photos by: Robert Cavuoto
Tesla is currently opening for Def Leppard and REO Speedwagon on their 2016 Summer Tour. This tour will take the band across the US from May to October! Tonight they performed at the PPL Center in Allentown PA.
Hailing from California, Tesla has always been a solid rock band with roots in the blues and country. When speaking with guitarist Frank Hannon, I asked him about the band’s unique sound, he told me; “Every CD has a little country, rock, and metal. They all have diversity. I don’t think you can point to one of our CDs and say that’s a metal CD or that’s a country CD. We have always managed to merge an acoustic vibe with the electric guitar.”
This is not Telsa’s first trek with their friends, Def Leppard, as they have been around the global together for several tours dating back to the Hysteria Tour in 1987. With a live CD due out this summer called, Mechanical Resonance Live and a new studio CD in the works for a 2017 release, the band was fired up for tonight’s show.
With only 30+ minutes, the boys had to work hard and fast to pound out their classic catalogue of songs. They blazed through eight songs, like a “Best of CD” on steroids. No filler or fluff only great rockers like; “Heaven’s Trail,” “Edison Medicine,” “Hang Tough,” and “Little Suzi” where guitarists Dave Rude and Frank Hannon take center stage perform with its dual acoustic into and “Modern Day Cowboy,” with its double-barreled lead. As you would expect, “Signs” brought down the house. The band sounded on top of their game and played off each other extremely well!
Vocalist Jeff Keith is a fantastic frontman full of energy and humor. His soulfully voice provided the edgy bite to the songs that has kept the band alive and kicking for 29 ½ year as he jokingly pointed out from the stage. He clearly hasn’t lost his trademark chops or his sense of humor. Bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta did a tremendous job on working together and driving the songs home.
Just when Tesla had the crowd fired up and hanging on every song, the set was over. I look forward to when they come around for a full set, as this was just a tease of what they have to offer.
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