Tesla at the Rose in Pasadena, CA 9/23/18

It’s hard to believe but over 30 years ago we were given to enjoy Tesla’s superb debut album Mechanical Resonance. The band hasn’t lost a beat. The band has recently been out with Poison and Joan Jett on a tour of the US. They have come to Southern California on a short Fall Tour of club sized venues. For those of us who have seen them tour the big stage circuit, it’s a great way to see them up close and personal.

Tonight’s show was also an opportunity to see them perform a headline show. Tesla concentrated on the early years as their set consisted of the hits and sprinkled a couple of lesser played songs.

Jeff Keith still has his trademark vocal style and the band was in top form. Musically, guitarists Frank Hannon and Dave Rude, bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta remain tight as ever. The guitar duets of Hannon and Rude simply were amazing, and Luccetta was phenomenal on drums. When Tesla performs, the band gives its all with every performance.

The night began with a five song “Electric Set” which included “Hang Tough,” “Heavens Trail” and “The Way it Is.”

The band then really showed their range by performing an “acoustic set” inspired by their 1990 album Five Man Acoustical Jam. We heard “Comin’ Atcha Live,” “Truckin,” “Signs” and the lesser heard “Paradise” on which Brian Wheat played the keyboards.

Changing back they began with “What You Give” which also got the crowd singing in unison. Unfortunately before they began “Love Song” we were informed Frank Hannon had a family emergency and had to leave us. LA based guitarist Howie Simon (Alcatrazz, Nelson) would join them to perform on the remaining songs.  “Edison’s Medicine” always a crowd favorite, was played near perfectly by Simon and the band.

 As “Little Suzi” kicked-in, the crowd of concert goers rose to their feet to see and hear every note. The night concluded with a rowdy version of “Modern Day Cowboy.”

Tesla really gives it their all and puts on a very high-energy show. They look and act just as vibrant as they had all those thirty plus years ago and it appears that there are no signs of them stopping any time soon.

September 23rd, 2018

(Electric Set)
I Wanna Live
Hang Tough
Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)
Mama's Fool
The Way It Is

(Acoustic Set)
Cumin' Atcha Live / Truckin'
Paradise
Signs

(Change Back)
What You Give
Love Song
Edison's Medicine (Man Out of Time)
Little Suzi
Modern Day Cowboy

 
The full photo album can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jschaef00/albums/72157695856215360


The Official Website is located here:
http://teslatheband.com

All Images © Joe Schaeffer Photography