Tesla

Tesla is an American hard rock band from Sacramento, California, formed in 1981 by bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon under the name City Kidd. The group later adopts the Tesla name before recording its first album, after discovering that another act already uses a similar name.

By 1984, vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarist Tommy Skeoch and drummer Troy Luccketta join Wheat and Hannon, forming the best-known early lineup. An early drummer, Robert Contreras, appears before Luccketta replaces him. The band remains active from its formation onward and later includes Dave Rude in the lineup after Skeoch leaves in 2006; Steve Brown is also listed among its members.

Albums and singles

Tesla’s debut album, Mechanical Resonance (1986), includes the singles “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi”, a cover of the Ph.D. song. Its second album, The Great Radio Controversy (1989), reaches number 18 on the Billboard 200 and features the top-ten single “Love Song”. The live acoustic release Five Man Acoustical Jam follows in 1990, reaches number 12 on the Billboard 200, and includes a cover of the Five Man Electrical Band song “Signs”.

Later studio albums include Psychotic Supper (1991), which peaks at number 13, and Bust a Nut (1994), which reaches number 20. After a breakup in 1996, Tesla reforms in 2000 and continues recording and touring. Subsequent releases include Into the Now (2004), Forever More (2008), Twisted Wires and the Acoustic Sessions (2011), Simplicity (2014), Shock (2019) and the EP All About Love (2024). The group also issues live albums such as Replugged, Standing Room Only and Mechanical Resonance Live, along with the covers collection Real to Reel and Real to Reel, Vol. 2.

Style, touring and recognition

Tesla is associated with the 1980s hair metal scene, but it is also described as a hard rock band with blues rock, glam metal and heavy metal elements. The group tours with artists including David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper, Def Leppard and Poison, which helps connect it to the wider glam metal circuit. It performs at festivals such as Sweden Rock Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting and Rocklahoma.

The band has sold at least 14 million albums in the United States. It also takes part in charity work, including benefit concerts for victims of the Station nightclub fire and food drives connected to its music releases, with songs such as “What You Give”, “Signs” and “Love Song” often included in those events.