I sure do miss the 80’s. As much as I love today’s Metal warriors the pioneers of yesteryear are still at the top of my list. While there are many bands that in all honesty can’t truly be construed as Metal they still have a Metal appeal such is the case with a certain group of blues based musicians from Sacramento California. It’s been three years since I last saw Tesla and it’s been far too long of a wait. When the opportunity to cover them arose I was on it like white on rice. Traveling to my home away from home beautiful San Diego CA I arrived at the HOB San Diego just in time to catch their opening song. For five guys that have always been viewed as a glorified bar band they sure pack one hell of a punch.

I was completely overwhelmed at how together these guys still are after so many years. Not missing a beat, a note or anything in between they delivered hit after hit and more. This round Tesla are touring in support of their latest release a double album set of cover tunes from the 60’s and 70’s titled Reel To Real. I so appreciated the multitude of dynamics employed during their set from vocalist Jeff Keith’s speech on sharing the love to Frank Hannon’s colorful array of hats. Besides generating that welcome feeling of nostalgia the guys also proved that their music is as relevant today as it was 20years ago. The crowd was all about this band and did show a massive amount of love.

Keith was exercising a tremendous amount of energy as he paced back and forth across the stage only slowing down for Hannon’s brilliant acoustical guitar work to stand out. New guitarist Dave Rude was equally fired up with his black and white tiger striped accessory theme. At one point a fan from the audience who didn’t know Mr. Rude tossed her matching scarf up on stage and he added it to his adornment. While I was very happy to hear so many of their great songs as well as the hefty assortment of covers that they performed I was hoping to hear a bit more from the bands last studio album Into The Now but its all good.

Kudos to the sound guy and light guy, both of which were over the top, making this a performance that I will never forget. Song favorites included “Edison’s Medicine”, “Song and Emotion”, “Signs”, “Modern Day Cowboy” as well as many more. I’ve been told by the band themselves that they have songs in the works for their next studio effort and that they just need some time to piece it all together which they plan on getting once this current tour is over. I for one am definitely looking forward to it!

-Priest