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Events and Reports - Tesla - Live in Hamburg, Germany Oct. 27th 2007
Tesla finally hit the European shores. Most recent European Tesla tour dates back to 1991. However, last summer Tesla played a few European shows to see if there still was interest in the band. The answer must be a clear and loud YES!
Tesla has always ranked among my favorite bands and "The Great Radio Controversy" has status as one of my favorite all time albums. In 2004 Tesla returned with their first studio album in 10 years. Yours truly went to Detroit to attend the release party for "Into the Now" at Hard Rock Café. Jeff Keith, Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch was supposed to play a short acoustic set, but the atmosphere was great and they extended the set to almost 90 minutes.
Hamburg, Germany was the nearest stop on Tesla´s European tour, so photographer Borg and yours truly once again made a trip all in the name of Rock to this amazing city. The venue "Knust" was just a good stones throw away from Reeperbahn and "Knust" was a nice café with an adjacent rock club. The venue holds 500 people and it was packed, when Tesla hit the stage around 10.30 to a warm "welcome back FINALLY" applause.
The band opened with Solution. The guitars were heavy and razor sharp. The drums were loud and thundering, which got every hair on my head and body rising. The pressure from the speakers was enormous and I'll claim "forget Sepultura or Slayer", because this was the heaviest song I ever heard live. Tesla was tight and Solution was followed by another monster thunderous version of Miles Away from "Into the Now"
The crowd was thankful for the Sacramento natives. Frank Hannon said he wanted to take us back to the "Headbangers ball" days where after he fired off the riffs for Modern Day Cowboy. The song was among the highlights of the evening. Modern Day Cowboy has an energetic vibe that really unfolded live. The crowd was going crazy and the band seemed still to be enjoying Modern Day Cowboy.
Frank Hannon signaled to new guitarist Dave Rude to join him on the edge of the stage. From there the duo harmonized the intro to Paradise with Brian Wheat handling the piano. Paradise was a huge surprise! Tesla hasn't played that in some time and Hannon did a small mistake at the outro, but never mind. The song moved me and I got goose pimples all over hearing Jeff Keith's expressive vocals. I adore this song in the studio version, but Tesla played a version that was even better and more emotional than the studio version..... I thought the studio version was the perfect take on that song, but I was wrong.
Brian Wheat had been playing a vintage brown Thunderbird bass. He switched to a pink Thunderbird while Jeff Keith introduced him. Brian Wheat then played the intro for Hang Tough and Tesla delivered another "bulls eye live version".
Got No Glory was another guitar crusher followed by the first song off the latest "Real to Reel" cover album. As the set progressed Dave Rude was more up-front and he also got to play more solos. The guitar duo Hannon and Rude tore up Freedom slaves. Hannon played the intro for Love song on the acoustic while Rude harmonized on his Les Paul. Love Song was another breathtaking highlight since it was delivered with lots of soul. The audience was there for Tesla and all screamed "I know" at the end of the song
The acoustic was kept for What you give where after UFO´s Rock Bottom was delivered with a long extensive guitar solo from Hannon. After the solo Frank Hannon smiled and took a long relived breather after copying the solo note for note. After the song he raised his first and screamed "Michael Schenker" saluting Germany's own guitar hero.
Dave Rude played the gritty swamp riff for Heavens Trail. Drummer Troy Luccketta added some fantastic drumming after each verse before kicking into the chorus. Prior to the show we talked about Luccketta´s drum kit was sparse, but he kicked the shit outta the drum kit and was outstanding. Hannon and former guitarist Tommy Skeoch is often highlighted, but Troy Luccketta was amazing with a powerful groove.
Into the Now was the last song off the amazing comeback album. Frank Hannon used the keyboard to create sound effects. Cumin Atcha Live has never been a favorite of mine, but in concert the song really came alive because of the energy and Tesla´s enthusiasm.
Signs was just perfect and got everybody smiling. Tesla said their thank you and greeted the audience. The crowd was loud and Jeff Keith promised that they would return for one more song.
The band returned for Edison's Medicine. Dave Rude got to play all the crazy guitar stuff for the intro, while Hannon brought out his double-necked Gibson and played the verse on the 12 string.
Tesla gave a lot to the crowd. Brian Wheat smiled all the time and he switched between his Thunderbird basses and a vintage Hofner McCartney bass.
Frank Hannon is a great performer and had great stage presence. Hannon was very aware of the crowd and he really gave us all a lesson in guitar playing. Jeff Keith's hoarse voice is unique and one of Tesla´s trademarks. It's a mystery to me how such a tiny guy has such a strong voice.
All in all the guys seemed happy to be in Europe and their positive attitude infected on their performance and also on the crowd, who praised the band by huge applauses after each song.
Certainly among the concerts of the year!
Set-list
Solution
Miles Away
Modern Day Cowboy
Paradise
Hang Tough
Got no Glory
Walk Away
Freedom slaves
Love Song
What you give
Rock Bottom
Heaven's Trail
Mama's Fool
Into the Now
Cumin atcha Live
Signs
Little Suzi
Edison's medicine
| Click pictures for a bigger version
All pictures taken by Martin Borg | Written by Michael
Sunday, November 18, 2007 |
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