It’s funny how the time on the concert ticket doesn’t really mean anything. The ticket said doors open at 7pm. We couldn’t leave for the show until 7:15p, and we didn’t get to the venue until 7:45p. I wasn’t too concerned about getting front row spots or anything. Tesla really isn’t a band you go to see, they’re not the prettiest of folks and they don’t have a “show,” perse. But what do I see when we show up at nearly 8 o’clock? A line down the street.
Yes, it was a cold February night and we were waiting in line to see Tesla. Although, by standing it line we did get to do a shoutout at two of the band members as they entered and left their tour bus. By the time we got into the venue the opening band was half way finished with their set. The opener, Cinder Road, didn’t sound too bad and did a good cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” but shy of that I’m not sad that we missed their first four songs. Then it was time to rock.
While Tesla did rock the house, unfortunately the house was horrible. The venue, The LC, is where we’ve seen many outdoor shows. Their outdoor venue is not bad at all. It’s not a giant amphitheatre or anything, but it does the job well and has your standard lawn seating and front row, standing-only section. The inside is standing room only, which wouldn’t have been a problem except that there is a huge bar inside as well. The place isn’t that big which meant everyone, no matter where they stood, was close to the bar. As we’ve discussed before, poor performance rarely ruins a concert, it’s the concertsapiens that attend.
We had somewhat good spots in front of the soundboard about middle of the room. It was doing fine until about the third song into Tesla’s set. Then, seemingly all at once, every fat person in the city barged their way to the front to stand right next to us. I don’t consider myself claustrophobic , but I couldn’t handle it. The smell of BO, beer, and muffin bellies rubbing up against me was too much. We scooted back to behind the soundboard, which actually ended up better because we were at the barrier, so there was no one in front of us. At one point some dude punched in the shoulder and yelled at me, “Yeaahhh!!” I think he thought he knew me, but I just turned, smiled, and ignored him. Although for that second I was regretting my spot wedged between Jake and the fat man up in the front.
The women at the show were quite another story. Not surprisingly, I think we were some of the youngest people there. The women were allcougared up with their Camero hair and trashy leather jackets. And what says “classy” more than a huge plastic cup full of beer? The woman we ended up next to for most of the show had on a white coat with fur trim, leopard print pumps, and all sort ofdangly jewelry. She looked 48, but she was probably only 38. Them combined with the large, drunk, obnoxious people is much of the reason to not go to concerts. But let me tell you, especially at a Tesla concert, it’s extremely easy to spot the people that don’t give two shits about the music.
Despite our early troubles with the patrons, Tesla rocked my balls off. They sounded great. Out of all the past-their-prime bands we’ve now seen, Tesla is next only to Aerosmith as sounding like you remember them. Lead singer, Jeff Keith, sounded like he did 15 years ago. The man has a horrible voice, so I really don’t know how it could get any worse - but the roughness of his voice is perfect for their music. Lead guitarist, Kevin Hannon , hasn’t lost a thing either it seems. Every riff and solo sounded like the record. However, this was not the original Tesla line-up. The second lead guitarist that was on their early ’90s albums was not there and they had a replacement. But, frankly, he could rock too so it didn’t matter much.
They played all the songs they were “supposed” to play, like Little Suzi, What You Give, Modern Day Cowboy, Love Song…and a few others. They opened with Cumin’ Atcha Live, which was perfect. They also played some songs from their latest all-cover album. They performed them well, but I would have rather heard some Tesla songs that good covers. Despite the show lasting probably an hour and a half, it felt short. They just kept rocking through the set with Little Suzi as the encore.
For a bunch of 40-somethings, Tesla sounded just like they did back in the day. People at worked laughed at me when I said I was going to see Tesla, but they all know they wanted to go. They just made some excuse. Why wouldn’t you want to see Tesla? Thankfully Tesla delivered and made it worth going to the crappy venue. Needless to say, unless another “must see” band comes to The LC indoors, I won’t go there again. Too small, too many people.
And on the way out the door I saw a very heart-warming site. The lead singer of the opening band was holding up his band’s CDs and selling them right there on the spot. Had I not wanted to leave that venue so quickly, I might have got a copy. Just seeing the band having to sell their own album is something you don’t see much, I bet. I just made me feel good that boot-strapping for your band is still required and not below new bands.
But cheers to Tesla for keeping the rockin’ alive. I wouldn’t consider them on a comeback or anything, but it’s good to know they can please the fans, unlike some of the other recent reunion tours.
