Tesla is the name of an American rock band originating in Sacramento, California. The band formed in 1984 on Guam as City Kidd and was renamed Tesla during the recording of their first album on the advice of their manager. The band derived their name, certain album and song titles, and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century.
Vocalist Jeff Keith fronted a band that included guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta.
Tesla's music was akin to heavy metal, but was more bluesy and the band's lyrics strayed from the partying and women themes popular at the time. But what set them even farther apart from their contemporaries was their T-shirt-and-jeans image which was in strong contrast to Glam Metal bands of the time, which were characterized by leather pants and flashy-make up. Tesla, which toured with David Lee Roth, Def Leppard, and Poison was incorrectly categorized as a Glam band, this is resented by the band members. Tesla is also proud of the fact that their music has always been just guitars and drums, with an occasional piano from bassist Wheat, with no synthesizers or anything to distort their sound and their albums always proudly proclaimed, "No Machines", referring to that fact. However, the band's 2004 album, Into the Now, included synthesized beats.
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," the Ph.D. cover "Little Suzi," "Edison's Medicine," and "Love Song." The album also featured "Signs", a cover of a song by the Five Man Electrical Band.
After "Bust A Nut", the band took a hiatus to support Skeoch during his rehab from drug abuse. 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 vocalist Jeff Keith & resurfaced as Bar 7 with a single "Four Leaf Clover", from the album "The World Is A Freak". Bassist Brian Wheat formed "Soul Motor", Frank Hannon "Moon Dog Mane" while Drummer Troy Luccketta worked with several local artist including the bay area's "One Thin Dime."
The band reformed in 2000 and recorded a double live album. In 2002 they were featured in the Rock Never Stops Tour alongside other 80s rock bands. 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 and put the following statement on their web site: "We would like you to join us in welcoming guitarist Dave Rude, who will be hitting the road with us for the 2006 Electric Summer Jam Tour as Tommy Skeoch will not be performing with us. Please also join us in congratulating Tommy and his wife on the birth of their new baby boy. We wish the whole family the best."
An article in the Deseret Morning News (June 16, 2006) that featured an interview with Wheat clarified the situation: "The tour is also a chance to introduce the newest member of the band, guitarist Dave Rude, who replaces Tommy Skeoch. Skeoch has been in and out of the band since 1994, addressing substance-abuse problems. But with a new baby at home, Wheat said that this time Skeoch's departure is full-time and for other reasons. "He just wanted to spend more time with his family after all these years," Wheat said. "It's hard. He'll always be a part of Tesla history."
"Comin' Atcha Live" appeared in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Tesla has recorded a covers album titled Real to Reel, which was released on June 5, 2007. The recording is available as a 2 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) will initially be available to concert goers at no additional charge beyond the cost of a ticket.