When Sacramento-based hard rock outfit Tesla decided to take a break following the release of their fourth studio effort Bust A Nut, the future of the band looked uncertain. But after a six-year hiatus where the band kept themselves busy with a host of side projects such as Bar 7, Moon Dog Mane and Soulmotor, the five piece act (Comprising of vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta) decided to reunite once again, with 2001’s Replugged Live, proving that classic hard rock was still very much alive and well, and in high demand.
Taking things a step further, the band finally returned to the studio for their fifth album Into The Now in 2004, their first new material in 10 years, which was another welcome addition to the Tesla legacy, but for all the success the band were enjoying with the release of Into The Now behind the scenes was another story. Guitarist Tommy Skeoch’s ongoing problem with substance abuse was having a damaging effect on the band, which inevitably led to his resignation in late 2005.
In 2006, Tesla announced Dave Rude as a permanent replacement for Skeoch, followed with the band’s U.S. Electric Summer Jam Tour, which introduced fans to Rude.
In June, Tesla and new guitarist Rude returned once again with a new studio effort in Real To Reel. Paying tribute to the music that inspired them, Real To Reel is a collection of classic cover songs performed in classic Tesla fashion. In celebration of their new album and strengthened line-up, Tesla announced their first world tour in August, which will finally see the band playing in Australia for the first time.
Having just completed a show in Austin, Texas, and on the road making their way through to Memphis, Tenn., for the last date of their current U.S. tour, I caught up with bassist Brian Wheat to talk about the addition of guitarist Dave Rude to the Tesla camp, the upcoming Australian tour, the much talked about in-the-works box set and just why Tesla decided to release a covers album at this point in their career.
“The reason for recording an album like Real To Reel now really comes down to three reasons. The first reason was that we always wanted to make a covers album. I know there are a lot of bands out there that have released cover albums in recent years, but we weren’t following anybody or anything like that. We always wanted to do one. The second reason was that when Skeoch left Tesla at the end of 2005, and we replaced him with Dave Rude in 2006, we actually played a lot of cover songs on that 2006 summer tour. The third reason was we started our own record label, Tesla Record Co. Recordings. So because we hadn’t been into the studio with Rude yet, it made sense to get used to Rude in the studio with a covers album. Real To Reel is also the first release that we’ve put out on our label too. So getting used to running a record label, all on our own, made sense with something like a covers album. It all made sense when you break it down. And so far, I think Real To Reel is going really well. Especially given that it’s a covers album, and it’s the first album that we’ve released on our own record label. So yeah, everyone’s happy with the way it’s been going so far.”
Much like the idea for recording a covers album, the idea of forming their own record label, Tesla Record Co. Recordings, is one that had been in development for some time.
“In all honesty, in 1994, before we broke up, we were actually talking about forming our own label sometime in 1995. But then we broke up. When we got back together, we weren’t really in the right frame of mind at that time to go ahead with the plan. Now we are, and it’s not really that hard. I just got sick and tired of asking our former labels to put out tracks that we all believed in, and hearing them say no. We were also tired of getting ripped off! [Laughs] I mean quite honestly, when you have to audit a record label and see how much money they’re lying about, that’s disheartening.”
”The big record label model is finished with as far as I’m concerned,” continues Wheat. “For us, the name Tesla is more than a band. It’s a brand name. It’s been around for 20 years. So why pay anybody else a bigger piece of the pie to do a job that you can do just as well, if not better. I personally run the label most of the time, and it’s really not all that difficult. If you’re a person that pays close attention to detail, you can do it. You know exactly where everything is, and you have the band’s best interest at heart.”
Although the departure of Skeoch was a blow to both the band and fans alike, Tesla has managed to find a suitable replacement in Rude. And according to Wheat, MySpace can be thanked for helping the band find Rude in the first place.
“Hannon found him on MySpace. He was surfing his buddy’s MySpace page, and he saw a picture of Rude. He thought it looked interesting, so he went and checked out Rude’s MySpace page. One thing led to another, and Rude eventually went out on the road with Hannon with his solo band thing (The Frank Hannon Band). After that was finished, he came to us and said that he thought he found the right guy for Tesla. He brought him to a rehearsal, and he fit immediately like a glove. That’s how he came to be.”
”Hannon got a hold of Rude through MySpace!” laughs the bassist. “All I can tell you is that the change has been all for the better. Everyone is in a good space. Everyone’s positive these days.” And with Rude now in the band, and being the youngest, he gives us a good shot in the arm. He’s a very good guitar player, and he’s a very nice guy. He’s always positive, and the rest of the band walks around with smiles on their faces all the time. He’s a great addition to the band.”
