Photos by Micah Gummel
Review by Erik Horne
Show photos HERE
California-based rock band, Tesla, took to the stage last night to a packed house at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom for a blistering performance. These guys have become a yearly staple at the Ballroom and after last night it was very easy to see why. The show opened with the song “I Wanna Live” from the band’s latest album, 2008’s “Forever More” followed by the 1989 fan favorite “Hang Tough.” We were then treated to a brand new song called “Taste My Pain,” which we were told will be available for download via I-Tunes sometime next week. The song sounded great and showed the band’s modern relevance while still maintaining that classic Telsa sound fans have come to love. Front man, Jeff Keith, was in fine form all night and informed the audience that there “was more where that came from” so fans can only hope that this will be in the form of a new studio album sooner rather than later.
The band was firing on all cylinders as they ripped through a couple more classic tunes before stripping it down for a three song acoustic set that recreated some of the elements from the group’s 1990 landmark live album “Five Man Acoustical Jam.” I was especially impressed to hear the band’s acoustic take on what I believe to be one of their heaviest songs, “Into the Now.” Next up was the band’s crowd pleasing rendition of the classic rock song “Signs,” originally recorded by the group “Five Man Electrical Jam.” The crowd ate this one up and sang along to every word. The audience erupted when they heard the opening guitar notes for the band’s monster ballad “Love Song.” This one had tons of audience participation and there was a great sense of love and appreciation from the audience to the band for the near 30 years of great music they have provided.
The rhythm section of Brian Wheat on bass and Troy Luccketta on drums was as solid as ever. They held down an awesome groove all night for the twin guitar attack of Frank Hannon and Dave Rude to play along to. This band is definitely a must-see if you are any kind of guitar fan. Hannon and Rude compliment each other so well with each of their respective tones while trading guitar licks furiously. Hearing these two play together was a personal highlight for me.
When the band finally kicked into the hit “Modern Day Cowboy,” the crowd’s noise reached a fever pitch and it felt like the room was ready to erupt. The energy in the room was intense to say the least. You could literally feel the floor shaking from the crowd rocking in perfect rhythm along with the song. When that familiar double lead guitar solo kicked in, I am pretty sure the sound man gave a serious boost to the guitar volume. The guitar duo pierced through the rest of the wall of sound so prominently and “in your face” that for the first time all night I was questioning if just maybe I should have worn some ear plugs! Boy, am I am glad I didn’t! It really was a guitar assault of the senses that blew me away!
Lead guitarist Frank Hannon talked about the Ballroom being one of the bands favorite places to play based on the crowd response they receive year after year. The fans were rewarded for their enthusiasm by having the band add the extra song, “Gettin’ Better” to their encore performance. The Ballroom was still rocking hard while the band finished up the night with “Little Suzi.” This show was a great representation of a classic band that you can tell still genuinely enjoys each others’ company and still manages to bring it after all these years! If you missed out, be sure to make it next year! I know I won’t be missing it!
Set List
I Wanna Live
Hang Tough
Tase My Pain
Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)
Mama’s Fool
Cummin’ Atcha Live/Truckin
Into The Now
Paradise
Signs
The Way It Is
What You Give
Song and Emotion
Love Song
Lazy Days, Crazy Nights
Modern Day Cowboy
Gettin’ Better
Little Suzi