Legendary 80’s band Tesla brought their “Keepin’ It Real” tour to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Casino. The band in no time sold out the casino’s biggest venue. Even before the opener, Sebastian Bach went on stage, the crowd filed in and packed the theater.
If you were to go back in time to the late 1980s or early 1990’s the combination of Tesla with Skid Row – Bach’s former band, could have been a reality. Unfortunately for the rock community, getting this amazing duo took a little longer than normal. In the casino, there are strict curfews so Bach went on stage a few minutes past 8:00 p.m. He delivered a heavy set of 12 songs that consisted of Skid Row classics and solo material.
As fans could have expected, more than half of Bach’s set was Skid Row songs. But, he did kick his set off with one of his newest songs, “What Do I Got to Lose?” off his newest record, Child Within The Man. It was great to hear four of his newer songs and introduce old fans to newer material. The crowd was going wild for him Bach, for each song they would give a thunderous cheer. In response, for the entire time, Bach was smiling ear to ear and his voice was pitch-perfect.
Despite fighting some technical difficulties with his microphone and the sound, the four-piece band put on an unforgettable show. Joining Bach was his son, Paris on drums, Clay Eubank on bass and Brody DeRozie on guitar. For the entire time they were on stage, they headbanged and hair flipped. That was until they played their last song, “Youth Gone Wild,” but were cut off by the curfew and were forced not to play the song. Heroically though, Tesla brought him back out at the end of their set to play “Youth Gone Wild” and their song, “Signs.”
PHOTO
It only took a few short minutes between sets for Tesla to lay siege to the Foxwoods crowd. They jumped right into “Rock Me To The Top,” off of their debut record, Mechanical Resonance. The entire lower bowl of the theater stayed on its feet for the entire performance. Despite big red cushioned chairs behind them, the audience refused and stood in appreciation for the almost two-hour set.
It’s easy to see why Tesla continues to sell out venues across the country. It’s because they deliver a great performance with so much infectious energy. Guitarist Frank Hannon, for the entire performance, ran back and forth from side to side delivering one of the best performances yet. Behind his yellow sunglasses, he shredded nonstop throughout the show. Whether it was a beautiful double-neck guitar or a classic Gibson, stopping Hanson was not possible.
Joining Hannon in the band is Brian Wheat on bass, Jeff Keith on lead vocals, Dave Rude on guitar and Steve Brown on the drums.
They played two new songs off an upcoming record that Hannon says come out around Thanksgiving time. “From the Heart” and the title track, “All About Love” received warm reactions from the audience. If true, this would be Tesla’s first studio record since 2018’s Shock.
The band played all their greatest hits as well as some deep cuts. This constantly left the audience guessing on what song would be played next. At one point in the set, they played five of their most popular songs in a row which had the audience in a frenzy. “Changes,” “Paradise,” “Call It What You Want” and “Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time)” were the perfect final few songs.
The band played all their greatest hits as well as some deep cuts. This constantly left the audience guessing on what song was next. At one point in the set, they played five of their most popular songs in a row which had the audience in a frenzy. “Changes,” “Paradise,” “Call It What You Want” and “Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time)” were the perfect final few songs to be played.
Usually, Tesla’s first and final song of the encore is “Signs.” The popular song is a cover of Five Man Electrical Band’s version. But, for this show, after Bach’s set got cut by one song, they brought him back out to do a small snippet of “Youth Gone Wild.” This was followed by “Signs” and a great closing moment in the show. During the Bach/Tesla duet, you can tell that Bach appreciated the kind gesture of the band and it goes to show that Tesla does truly care about, not only the fans but the support act as well.
Tesla’s one-stop at Foxwood’s on their “Keepin’ It Real” tour was well worth it for everyone involved. It was a fantastic throwback to when the 1980s was all about hard rock and metal. The Bach and Tesla pairing was perfect. Bach’s headbanging metal was the perfect balance with Tesla’s power chords and harmonies. If Tesla brings their juggernaut tour back to a New York area, I highly suggest going out and seeing them. They’ll make sure that you get your money’s worth.
Sebastian Bach setlist: What Do I Got to Lose? Slave to the Grind, Big Guns, Sweet Little Sister, 18 and Life, Freedom, Piece of Me, Everyday Bleeds, Monkey Business, I Remember You, (Hold On) To the Dream, Youth Gone Wild
Tesla setlist: Rock Me To The Top, Modern Day Cowboy, Hang Tough, All About Love, Walk Away, Forever More, Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out), Miles Away, Changes, Paradise, Call It What You Want, Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time), From the Heart, Love Song, Little Suzi, Signs
The post Tesla brings the electricity to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Casino appeared first on NYS Music.
