Concert Review: Tesla: Five Man Acoustical Jam 2/23/05

You read that right, this is a concert review, not a review of a 15 year old album. Tesla is currently on the road doing an acoustic tour, and I finally get the chance to see these guys perform live. I have been a fan of theirs ever since their second album, "The Great Radio Controversy." The tour is named after their album which helped to kick off the Unplugged craze that ran through much of the 1990s.

I always thought that these guys got a raw deal, getting lumped in with all of the hair bands of the time. Granted, for awhile their look was determined by the times and they had that sort of generic teased hair/tight pants look of their contemporaries, but the music told a different story.

They played a driving blues and country influenced rock that featured one of the better two-guitar attacks of the time. Another thing I liked was they incorporated a lot of acoustic guitar into their sound, even if it wasn't prominent, you could pick it up in the background. Well, they made a few more albums and eventually disbanded. Singer Jeff Keith toured for awhile with a band called Sofa King, and I am not sure about the other members. I believe they got back together in 2002 or 2003, recorded a new album, and that brings us to the night of Feb. 23rd and the show that I finally got to see.

Upon arriving at the club, the first thing I noticed was the sizable crowd that was forming. This was promising, a good crowd always helps to bring a show up.

I got inside around 7:40 pm, got myself a drink, and headed down towards the stage which was already set up for Tesla. As it turns out, there was to be no opening act, giving them the maximum amount of time to play. The stage reminded me of a smaller version of what I saw at the Godsmack acoustic show I attended this past December. There were rugs laid down on the stage, some wood barstools, microphone stands, drum kit, keyboard, and a big couch. Then I did a double take?

Sitting on a stand next to the microphone stand labeled "Frank" was an odd looking electronic device. Could it be? Yes, it is a theremin! This thing is very cool, it produces these strange sci-fi sounds that you control by placing your hands in between the antennae and not touching it. You have probably heard it before and didn't know it, it was featured prominently in the score for the movie Ed Wood. In any event the stage was set and ready to go.

Just before the clock struck 9:00, there was a sighting. Jeff Keith, Frank Hannon, Tommy Skeoch, Brian Wheat, and Troy Luccketta took their positions on the stage to loud applause from the crowd which had filled the venue. For the next nearly two hours they played old favorites, rarities, and a few songs from their latest album, "Into the Now."

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. …

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