Tesla (band)
| Tesla | |
|---|---|
"Forever More" at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, New York April 27, 2009
|
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | City Kidd |
| Origin | Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock |
| Years active | 1981–1996, 2000–present |
| Labels | Geffen, Tesla Electric Company Recordings (Ryko Distribution) |
| Associated acts |
|
| Website | teslatheband |
| Members | |
| Past members |
|
Tesla is an American heavy metal band formed in Sacramento, California in late 1981 by bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon as City Kidd. Lead vocalist Jeff Keith, drummer Troy Luccketta and guitarist Tommy Skeoch joined them by 1984. By 1986, the band had changed from its glam-derived sound to a 'rootsier' direction under a new name: "Tesla". By 1990, the band started showing signs of wear, with the introduction of drummer, Stefano Pasta taking the throne for Luccketta for a brief period until his own departure for personal reasons. In 1996, the band disbanded, with members devoting themselves to solo projects. In 2000, they reformed, but Tommy Skeoch departed the band in 2006 due to substance abuse, and was replaced by Dave Rude. They have sold 14 million albums in the United States.
The band City Kidd was renamed Tesla during the recording of their first album, 1986's Mechanical Resonance, 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 Troy Luccketta.
Tesla's music is often referred to as hard rock or hair metal. The band's lyrics also strayed from the themes popular in hard rock, particularly in the 1980s at the beginning of their career. 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 labelling.
...
Wikipedia