TESLA
BAND MEMBERS: Jeff Keith (vocals), Frank Hannon (lead guitar), Brian Wheat (bass), Troy Luccketta (drums), Dave Rude (guitar).
ALBUM: "Real to Reel"
LABEL: Tesla Electric Company Recordings/Ryko
RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2007
HEAR HERE
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY: "Mechanical Resonance" (Geffen, 1986), "The Great Radio Controversry" (1989), "Five Man Acoustical Jam" (1990), "Psychotic Supper" (1991), "Bust a Nut" (1994), "Time's Makin' Changes: The Best of Tesla" (1995), "RePlugged Live" (Sanctuary, 2001), "20th Century Masters: The Best of Tesla - The Millennium Collection" (Geffen/UME, 1995), "Standing Room Only" (Sanctuary, 2002), "Into the Now" (2004), "Extended Versions" (Collectables, 2004), "Into the Now" (2004), "Real to Reel" (Tesla Electric Company Recordings/Ryko, 2007)
TOUR DATES HERE
WEB SITE: www.teslatheband.com/
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PAUSE & PLAY: What was your manifesto for this album, a goal you wanted to achieve?
LUCCKETTA: "The main goal of this record was to have some fun, and record some old songs from the '70s live in the studio."
P&P: The album was recorded through a vintage Neve console directly to Ampex 456 analog tape. What does this mean to the novice listener?
LUCCKETTA: "It means we did not record digitally to Pro Tools, which is the new standard for recording today. We did not edit our performances."
P&P: When you do songs off this album in concert, which one gets the best reaction?
LUCCKETTA: "We change the set nightly, so it remains to be seen. But I can say, 'Thank You' is the single and seems to get them every night."
P&P: What is a Tesla fan like today (as opposed to 20 years ago)?
LUCCKETTA: "There seems to be a new breed of kids out there in there teens coming to the show. It is pretty cool seeing the younger kids at the shows singing the songs. And then there is the Tesla fan that is just 20 years older."
P&P: The music industry has changed drastically since you started out; do you feel sorry for new bands trying to make it today? What advice would you give them?
LUCCKETTA: "I do in the sense that there are a lot of politics as well. Don't be discouraged and keep your focus and work hard. Educate yourselves in the style of music your playing. See what's going on in the market. But first of all keep it real."
P&P: Ultimately, what has kept Tesla together all these years?
LUCCKETTA: "The band. The only thing that breaks up bands, is bands."
P&P: What was the first record you ever bought?
LUCCKETTA: "I wish I knew. I grew up listening to my mom's and my brother's records."
P&P: What was the first concert you ever went to?
LUCCKETTA: "Sha Na Na/ELO and Link Wray at Winterland in San Francisco. Many years ago."
P&P: What's the worst job you've ever had?
LUCCKETTA: "Digging ditches for a sewer/pipeline. I remember thinking there's got to be a better job for me. I would have to fill it with water to check for leaks and one time it broke and just blasted me. The good news is we got the final inspection right after that."
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