Tesla Live at the Oaks East Pe

- advertisement -

- advertisement -

REVIEW BY: BC

On Saturday March 13th, Tesla performed in East Peoria at the Oaks East Peoria Convention Center. As the boys strolled on stage to a pre-recorded intro the crowd erupted into a frenzy.

They burst right into "Into the Now," the title track off of their new CD. Frank Hannon was as animated as I've seen him in the previous four concerts I've been to.

For the next hour and forty minutes or so, they simply kicked ass. Some might have been disappointed in the set list because it consisted of five new songs. That fact didn't bother me, the new songs sound great live and although "Comin' Atcha Live," "Hang Tough," "Edison' Medicine" or some of their other classics might have been omitted, Tesla is touring in support of their new CD, Into the Now, not on a greatest hits package tour. This is their first new CD in 10 years, and if you haven't picked it up do so you won't be disappointed!

They spared no expense when it came to the stage show: smoke machines, lasers and sweet lights were used on a fairly large stage. They sounded as tight as any other band and the duo of bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Lucketta were really in sync kicking ass all night. Vocalist Jeff Keith sounded amazing and the guitar tandem of Tommy Skeoch and Hannon played off of each other as good as ever. There was great energy and good interaction with the fans in Peoria, the sound of the band was top notch and perhaps the only disappointment of the night was no encore. I would estimate the attendance at 3000 or 3500.

Below is the set list, not exactly in order but pretty close. If I missed one I apologize.

1. Into the Now title track of CD
2. Little Suzi from Mechanical Resonance
3. Solution from Bust A Nut
4. Song and Emotion from Psychotic Supper
5. Mighty Mouse from Into the Now
6. Heavens Trail (No Way Out) from The Great Radio Controversy
7. What You Give from Psychotic Supper
8. Modern Day Cowboy from Mechanical Resonance
9. Look @ Me from Into the Now
10. Love Song from The Great Radio Controversy
11. Signs
12. Mama' Fool from Bust A Nut
13. Caught In A Dream from Into the Now
14. Heaven Nine Eleven from Into the Now