Tesla

Biography

Tesla is an American hard 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. By 1984, vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarist Tommy Skeoch and drummer Troy Luccketta had joined the band, forming their classic lineup that appeared on all the records 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. Their debut album, Mechanical Resonance×Mechanical Resonance8 December 1986 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1EZ Come EZ Go3:332Cumin' Atcha Live4:273Gettin' Better3:2242 Late 4 Love3:515Rock Me to the Top3:406We're No Good Together5:197Modern Day Cowboy5:198Changes5:039Little Suzi4:5810Love Me4:1611Cover Queen4:3212Before My Eyes5:34, was released in 1986, which produced two hit singles, "Modern Day Cowboy×Modern Day Cowboy1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAModern Day CowboyBModern Day Cowboy (live)" and their cover of "Little Suzi×Little Suzi1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksALittle Suzi3:52BCumin' Atcha Live (remix)4:02" (originally by Ph.D.). The band's second album, The Great Radio Controversy×The Great Radio Controversy1 February 1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Hang Tough4:222Lady Luck3:463Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)4:444Be a Man4:305Lazy Days, Crazy Nights4:276Did It for the Money4:287Yesterdaze Gone3:468Makin' Magic5:079The Way It Is5:0910Flight to Nowhere4:4711Love Song5:2512Paradise5:0013Party's Over4:21 (1989), peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 album chart and produced the top-ten single "Love Song×Love Song1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Love Song5:242I Ain't Superstitious3:093Run Run Run2:43". The band recorded and released their third album, the live acoustic album Five Man Acoustical Jam×Five Man Acoustical Jam13 November 1990 · Album · LiveSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Comin' Atcha Live / Truckin'7:232Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)4:413The Way It Is6:314We Can Work It Out2:095Signs3:156Gettin' Better3:307Before My Eyes6:068Paradise5:499Lodi2:5310Mother's Little Helper3:4511Modern Day Cowboy6:0912Love Song9:5413Tommy's Down Home2:0414Down Fo' Boogie3:20, in 1990. It peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and produced their top-charting single (No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100), "Signs×Signs1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Signs (clean version)3:112Down Fo' Boogie (single version)3:213Little Suzi (live acoustic version)3:53", a cover of a song by the Five Man Electrical Band. Their third studio album, Psychotic Supper×Psychotic Supper30 August 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Change in the Weather3:382Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time)4:473Don’t De-Rock Me5:114Call It What You Want4:315Song & Emotion8:296Time5:147Government Personnel0:588Freedom Slaves6:409Had Enough4:4910What You Give7:1511Stir It Up5:4112Can’t Stop5:2813Toke About It5:24 (1991), peaked at No. 13 but lacked a hit single. Similarly, their next album, 1994's Bust a Nut×Bust a Nut22 August 1994 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1The Gate/Invited5:402Solution3:573Shine Away6:454Try So Hard5:455She Want She Want5:156Need Your Lovin’4:207Action Talks3:508Mama’s Fool6:129Cry4:5910Earthmover4:0911Alot to Lose5:1212Rubberband4:3713Wonderful World3:5014Games People Play5:0015The Ocean4:55 did well enough on the album charts, peaking at No. 20 but also lacked any radio hits.
The band broke up in 1996 then returned in 2000 with a live tour and album, both named Replugged. They have continued to record and tour, although Skeoch left in 2006 and was replaced by Dave Rude on guitar. Their most recent release is the covers album Homage×Homage17 July 2026 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Never Alone3:392Bring It on Home3:073Spread Your Wings4:564I Wish It Would Rain3:095Night Moves5:226If I Can Dream3:227Come and Get It2:218I Got You (I Feel Good)2:569Give a Little Bit4:2210I Love You (2026)4:1311Have You Ever Seen the Rain2:4012The Ballad of Curtis Loew4:5113I'd Rather Go Blind2:5714Mind Your Own Business3:15 (2026), while their latest studio album of all-new material is Shock×Shock8 March 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1You Won’t Take Me Alive3:342Taste Like3:123We Can Rule the World4:154Shock3:375Love Is a Fire3:316California Summer Song2:587Forever Loving You3:428The Mission4:039Tied to the Tracks3:2910Afterlife4:3911I Want Everything3:2512Comfort Zone3:49 (2019). Tesla have sold at least 14 million albums in the United States.

Formation and Mechanical Resonance (1981–1988)

The band City Kidd was renamed Tesla during the recording of their first album, 1986's Mechanical Resonance×Mechanical Resonance8 December 1986 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1EZ Come EZ Go3:332Cumin' Atcha Live4:273Gettin' Better3:2242 Late 4 Love3:515Rock Me to the Top3:406We're No Good Together5:197Modern Day Cowboy5:198Changes5:039Little Suzi4:5810Love Me4:1611Cover Queen4:3212Before My Eyes5:34, 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 Robert Contreras, who was soon replaced by ex-Eric Martin Band drummer 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. The band, according to Troy Luccketta, now does not mind being labeled as a part of that scene.

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

The band released their second album, The Great Radio Controversy×The Great Radio Controversy1 February 1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Hang Tough4:222Lady Luck3:463Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)4:444Be a Man4:305Lazy Days, Crazy Nights4:276Did It for the Money4:287Yesterdaze Gone3:468Makin' Magic5:079The Way It Is5:0910Flight to Nowhere4:4711Love Song5:2512Paradise5:0013Party's Over4:21, in 1989. The album helped solidify the band's growing reputation and fan base, and produced five hit singles, including the power ballad "Love Song×Love Song1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Love Song5:242I Ain't Superstitious3:093Run Run Run2:43".
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×Modern Day Cowboy1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAModern Day CowboyBModern Day Cowboy (live)", and "Love Song". The album also featured a number of covers, most notably a version of "Signs×Signs1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Signs (clean version)3:112Down Fo' Boogie (single version)3:213Little Suzi (live acoustic version)3:53", a 1971 hit by the Five Man Electrical Band.
In 1991, the band released their third studio album Psychotic Supper×Psychotic Supper30 August 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Change in the Weather3:382Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time)4:473Don’t De-Rock Me5:114Call It What You Want4:315Song & Emotion8:296Time5:147Government Personnel0:588Freedom Slaves6:409Had Enough4:4910What You Give7:1511Stir It Up5:4112Can’t Stop5:2813Toke About It5:24. 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 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×Bust a Nut22 August 1994 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1The Gate/Invited5:402Solution3:573Shine Away6:454Try So Hard5:455She Want She Want5:156Need Your Lovin’4:207Action Talks3:508Mama’s Fool6:129Cry4:5910Earthmover4:0911Alot to Lose5:1212Rubberband4:3713Wonderful World3:5014Games People Play5:0015The Ocean4:55. 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 a sold-out show at ARCO Arena in Sacramento on October 25, 2000. Soon after they recorded the double live album Replugged Live×RePlugged Live11 September 2001 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Cumin’ Atcha Live6:592EZ Come EZ Go3:443Hang Tough4:504Gettin’ Better3:565The Way It Is6:176Song & Emotion6:357Changes5:078Call It What You Want4:339Lazy Days, Crazy Nights4:2810We’re No Good Together5:54Disc 21Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)5:292Mama’s Fool7:023Freedom Slaves7:404Signs4:095Little Suzi4:086What U Give7:077Summer’s Day3:018Love Song6:589Edison’s Medicine5:1310Modern Day Cowboy6:26. 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×Standing Room Only5 March 2002 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Cumin’ Atcha Live7:052Hang Tough4:493Getting Better3:564The Way It Is6:185Song & Emotion6:226Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)5:247Mama’s Fool7:018Freedom Slaves7:409Signs4:0910Little Suzi4:0811What U Give7:0712Love Song6:5513Modern Day Cowboy6:29, which is just a single CD version of Replugged Live.
In 2004, they released their fifth studio album Into the Now×Into the Now9 March 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Into the Now4:252Look @ Me4:163What a Shame4:294Heaven Nine Eleven4:395Words Can't Explain3:156Caught in a Dream4:507Miles Away6:568Mighty Mouse4:159Got No Glory4:1910Come to Me4:4311Recognize5:0112Only You4:34 which debuted on the Billboard album chart at No. 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, who 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. 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.

Forever More and Twisted Wires (2008–2012)

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×Modern Day Cowboy1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAModern Day CowboyBModern Day Cowboy (live)", "Love Song×Love Song1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Love Song5:242I Ain't Superstitious3:093Run Run Run2:43" and "Song and Emotion" along with additional backstage footage.
On August 11, 2008, it was reported that Tesla's next album, entitled Forever More×Forever More7 October 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Forever More5:022I Wanna Live3:353One Day at a Time3:124So What!3:405Just in Case4:396Fallin’ Apart4:227Breakin’ Free5:038All of Me3:289The First Time4:1110Pvt. Ledbetter3:2411In a Hole Again5:2612The Game4:51, would be released on October 7 on their own record label, Tesla Electric Company Recordings. The album was produced by Terry Thomas, who produced Bust a Nut×Bust a Nut22 August 1994 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1The Gate/Invited5:402Solution3:573Shine Away6:454Try So Hard5:455She Want She Want5:156Need Your Lovin’4:207Action Talks3:508Mama’s Fool6:129Cry4:5910Earthmover4:0911Alot to Lose5:1212Rubberband4:3713Wonderful World3:5014Games People Play5:0015The Ocean4:55. 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×Fallin' Apart2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Fallin' Apart3:332Signs3:153Love Song4:04" 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×Signs1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Signs (clean version)3:112Down Fo' Boogie (single version)3:213Little Suzi (live acoustic version)3:53" 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 25, 2011, they released a mostly acoustic album titled Twisted Wires and the Acoustic Sessions.

Simplicity, Shock and Homage (2013–present)

In June 2013, Tesla released a new single "Taste My Pain" on iTunes. They released their eighth studio album Simplicity×Simplicity6 June 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1MP35:132Ricochet3:473Rise and Fall3:574So Divine…4:535Cross My Heart4:116Honestly4:137Flip Side!3:338Other Than Me3:229Break of Dawn5:0410Burnout to Fade4:5211Life Is a River4:5612Sympathy4:0413Time Bomb4:1114’til That Day4:1715Burnout to Fade (demo version)4:28 on June 6, 2014.
In 2015, the band toured with Def Leppard and Styx.
On August 26, 2016, 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.
In April 2017, Tesla began working on their ninth studio album, Shock×Shock8 March 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1You Won’t Take Me Alive3:342Taste Like3:123We Can Rule the World4:154Shock3:375Love Is a Fire3:316California Summer Song2:587Forever Loving You3:428The Mission4:039Tied to the Tracks3:2910Afterlife4:3911I Want Everything3:2512Comfort Zone3:49, which was produced by Collen, and released on March 8, 2019.
Tesla released the one-off single "Cold Blue Steel×Cold Blue Steel2021 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cold Blue Steel3:28" in August 2021, followed a year later by "Time to Rock!×Time to Rock!2022 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Time to Rock!4:48".
Tesla released the six-track EP, All About Love×All About Love2024 · EP · Live,RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1All About Love (Electric mix)4:192From the Heart2:103All About Love (acoustic mix)3:414All About Love (live mix)4:185Walk Away4:156All About Love (Hybrid mix)3:44, on November 29, 2024. It includes four versions of "All About Love", a new instrumental track, "From the Heart", as well as a live version of "Walk Away".
Tesla's first studio album in seven years, and first covers album in nineteen years, Homage×Homage17 July 2026 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Never Alone3:392Bring It on Home3:073Spread Your Wings4:564I Wish It Would Rain3:095Night Moves5:226If I Can Dream3:227Come and Get It2:218I Got You (I Feel Good)2:569Give a Little Bit4:2210I Love You (2026)4:1311Have You Ever Seen the Rain2:4012The Ballad of Curtis Loew4:5113I'd Rather Go Blind2:5714Mind Your Own Business3:15 was released on July 17, 2026.

Charity work

While promoting their album The Great Radio Controversy×The Great Radio Controversy1 February 1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Hang Tough4:222Lady Luck3:463Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)4:444Be a Man4:305Lazy Days, Crazy Nights4:276Did It for the Money4:287Yesterdaze Gone3:468Makin' Magic5:079The Way It Is5:0910Flight to Nowhere4:4711Love Song5:2512Paradise5:0013Party's Over4:21, 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×The Way It Is1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAThe Way It Is (edit)4:38BRun Run Run2:43".
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 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×What You Give1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAWhat You GiveBCotton Fields4:43", "Signs×Signs1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Signs (clean version)3:112Down Fo' Boogie (single version)3:213Little Suzi (live acoustic version)3:53", and "Love Song×Love Song1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Love Song5:242I Ain't Superstitious3:093Run Run Run2:43", though "What You Give" did not make it onto the broadcast.

Musical style and influences

Most of Tesla's albums feature a bluesy hard rock style. Brian Wheat stated to have been influenced by classic 1960s and 1970s rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Aerosmith, Bad Company and the Beatles. Tesla's first two albums are often classified as glam metal, though AllMusic's Steve Huey opined that the band's blues and 1970s hard rock influences set them apart from their contemporaries. Loudwire described Tesla as a "thinking man's hair metal band", and VH1 ranked them at No. 22 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hair Metal.

Current members

Brian Wheat – bass, backing vocals, keyboards, piano (1981–1996, 2000–present)
Frank Hannon – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards, piano, organ, theremin, bass, mandolin, harmonica (1981–1996, 2000–present)
Jeff Keith – lead vocals (1984–1996, 2000–present)
Dave Rude – guitar, backing vocals, bass (2006–present)
Steve Brown – drums, percussion (2021–present)

Former members

Steve Clausman (1981)
Robert "Bobby" Contreras – drums (1981–1984)
Colleen Lloy – guitar, lead vocals (1981–1983; joined band with Brook Bright as City Kidd)
Brook Bright – guitar, vocals (1981–1983; formed band as City Kidd in early 1980s)
Jeff Harper – lead vocals (original lead vocalist for Earthshaker and City Kidd until April 1983)
Joey Murrieta – guitar (1983; before the breakout of Tesla)
Curtis Chapman – guitar (1983–1984; before the breakout of Tesla, when they were still called City Kidd)
Tommy Skeoch – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1994, 1995, 2000–2006)
Troy Luccketta – drums, percussion (1984–1996, 2000–2021)

Touring substitutes

Stefano Pasta – drums, percussion (1990; substitute for Troy Luccketta for a brief period)
Scott Johnson – guitar, backing vocals (2006; substitute for Tommy Skeoch)
Tommy Armstrong-Leavitt – guitar, backing vocals (2013; substitute for Dave Rude)
Phil Collen – guitar, backing vocals (2016; substitute for Dave Rude at The Classic Rock Awards 2016)
Ray Luzier – drums, percussion (2016; substitute for Troy Luccketta at The Classic Rock Awards 2016)
Sammy Boller – guitar, backing vocals (2024; substitute for Frank Hannon who was dealing with father-in-law Dickey Betts' health issues)