Talkin’ Tesla With Jeff Keith

Pollstar Boxoffice researcher/photographer Mike Oberg worked for Tesla from 2001 to 2002.  So when we heard the band was doing press for this year’s tour with Def Leppard and REO Speedwagon, it seemed like a no-brainer to have Mike ask the questions.

But Mike did more than talk to Jeff.  The former merch man, along with Pollstar Route Book/tour data researcher Tracy Cornejo, traveled up to Northern California Saturday to shoot photos of Tesla’s show at the Outdoor Amphitheater at Thunder Valley in Lincoln.

And Jeff had the answers as he talked about the band’s new live album — Mechanical Resonance LIVE! – due out later this summer, and working in the studio with Def Leppard’s Phil Collen on Tesla’s new studio LP arriving later this year.

What can you tell us about the new live album?

We recorded Mechanical Resonance LIVE! last year when we were out with Def Leppard and Styx.  It came out really great.  We’re really excited to be releasing it [later] this month.  We had a blast doing all those songs, playing songs we haven’t played in quite a few years.

Tesla has toured with Def Leppard before.  Is there a bond between the two bands?

Absolutely.  It’s good to be out with them again. … They’ve always been like our big brothers.  We’re doing it again this year until the end of October. Phil Collen is going to produce a new record with us.  So the live album comes out later this month and we’re going to try to have something [new] recorded and in the can later this year.  So far it’s coming out great.  It’s sounding good. We’re really excited about it. … When we were out on the road with [Def Leppard] last year, he said, “I think you guys really deserve to be going up to that next level” and he’s doing his best to do that for us.

So you’re looking forward to going out with Def Leppard?

Always.  It’s great to be playing the arenas again.  Especially with Def Leppard.  Just having a ball.  When people come to the show, by the time we’re done playing, a lot of the seats are full in the arenas, which means people are there to give us a listen to, too.

You recently received a new hip.  How’s that working with being on stage every night?

Best thing I could have ever done.  I wasn’t prepared to hear the diagnosis … that I had really bad arthritis in my hip. I was like, “I’m only 55.” And the doctor said, “It doesn’t matter the age, Jeff, you just have really bad arthritis.”

So … we were getting ready to go out with Def Leppard and Styx last year and my doctor said, “I’m afraid with your hip getting as bad as it’s getting, you might collapse on stage.”

[Bassist] Brian Wheat being the manager and stuff, him and Frank [Hannon] co-managing, said, “Man, we can’t have that.”  So we pushed some shows back, did the hip replacement, and it’s the best thing I ever did. … It’s like a new lease on life.  No pain.  I don’t have to be on any pain pills. … Things are going great.

Are you doing any more stage diving?

No stage diving, but just dancing around, having a good time playing Tesla songs all the way back to the first record.  The people are loving it, we’re loving it, and we’re having a good time.  That’s the main thing. When you’re doing what you love to do and you’re having fun doing it, that’s what matters the most.

Fun is what it’s all about.

It is. It’s on top of the list. Matter of fact, when people ask if I’m going to have fun, I like to have a list I wake up to every morning that says, “The Things We Do To Have Fun.”  Making music, playing music, writing new songs, recording Mechanical Resonance LIVE! … We’re really very grateful and fortunate.

Did you ever think Tesla would last this long?

Never.  You never know what to expect.  Especially when we broke up for four years [before] getting back together.  Now it’s going better than ever.  We’re stronger than ever.  Got Dave Rude.

It’s been 15 years since I toured with you.  I got to see all the turmoil.

Right.  The turmoil is over and done.  Dave Rude is an awesome guitar player and songwriter.  We couldn’t be happier.

What was the first concert you ever attended?

Day on the Green No. 3 in 1978 at the Oakland Stadium.  Aerosmith was headlining.  Then it was Foreigner, Pat Travers, AC/DC, and we were like, “Who’s this band?” And they were so great.  Then to go back to the record store and go, “Wow!  They have two or three albums” that we had never heard before. Now they’re one of the greatest bands ever.  Actually, in ’78 was when Van Halen first came out.  They opened the show.

Out of that lineup, how many people have you been onstage with?

All of them. Back in’ 78 I was still a truck driver and never thought I’d be in the business.  Now here I am, traveling around the world playing with all these bands.  Never would have given it a second thought that it would have happened.  But dreams come true.

How do you like doing the Monsters Of Rock cruises?

We’ve done five or six and had a blast.  Going to Jamaica, Cayman Island, had a ball.  Took the family along.  But this year we’re taking a year off so we can focus on this new record.

You and your family are also rescuing animals?

Well, Okie, the day after I left to go on this last leg … she had to be put down, unfortunately.  She’s the one I got from the Oakland Stadium.  I went to a Raiders game in 2003 and came home with a great friend. 

We got another little rescue dog, Harley, a “Chiweenie,” they call him, a mixture of a Chihuahua and a Dachshund.  He’s a great little addition. We’re going to get him a little buddy now that Okie has passed on. 

We’ll go rescue something else, find something that’s looking for a home.  We like to find that unwanted child that doesn’t have much of a chance. We love to give him a chance and a good life.  We’ll always be rescuing.  I do believe that they realize what you’ve done for them.  They show their gratitude by being the best friend and animal you could ask for.

Are you still working with ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation)?

We haven’t played the last few years for Tony La Russa.  The first two or three years he had it opened, we played at Walnut Creek … raised a bunch of money.  … We became great friends.  Anything we can ever do for them, we’re always there to help.

Do you still get nervous before taking the stage?

No, man. Because [we’re] getting up there and having fun. … Having a good time. That’s what we’ve always done.  Making music, playing live is on top of the [fun] list.

Any pre-show rituals?

No.  Usually, when people ask me if I’m ready for tonight’s show, I’m like, “Last week I was ready.”  No jitters, no nervousness, just get up there and have a blast.

Upcoming Tesla shows (all dates with Def Leppard and REO Speedwagon)

June 22 – Mansfield, Mass.,  Xfinity Center
June 24 – Bangor, Maine, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
June 25 – Quebec City, Quebec, Centre Vidéotron
June 27 – Syracuse, N.Y., Lakeview Amphitheater
June 29 – Hershey, Pa., Hersheypark Stadium
July 1 – Noblesville, Ind., Klipsch Music Center
July 2 – Tinley Park, Ill., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
July 5 – Cincinnati, Ohio, Riverbend Music Center
July 6 – Milwaukee, Wis., Marcus Amphitheater (Summerfest)
July 8 – Burgettstown, Pa., First Niagara Pavilion
July 9 – Grand Rapids, Mich., Van Andel Arena
July 11 – Wantagh, N.Y., Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
July 13 – Holmdel, N.J., PNC Bank Arts Center
July 15 – Clarkston, Mich., DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 16 – Toronto, Ontario, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Aug. 6 – Madison, Wis., Alliant Energy Center
Aug. 8 – Evansville, Ind., Ford Center
Aug. 10 – Bristow, Va., Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 12 – Atlanta, Ga., Lakewood Amphitheatre
Aug. 13 – Raleigh, N.C., Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Aug. 15 – Tampa, Fla., MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Aug. 17 – Pelham, Ala., Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Aug. 19 – Austin, Texas, Austin360 Amphitheater
Aug. 20 – New Orleans, La., Smoothie King Center
Aug. 22 – The Woodlands, Texas, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug. 24 – Dallas, Texas, Gexa Energy Pavilion
Aug. 26 – Kansas City, Mo., Sprint Center
Aug. 27 – Maryland Heights, Mo., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 29 – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Blossom Music Center
Aug. 31 – Darien Center, N.Y., Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Sept. 14 – Billings, Mont., Rimrock Auto Arena At MetraPark
Sept. 16 – Salt Lake City, Utah, Usana Amphitheatre
Sept. 17 – Denver, Colo., Pepsi Center
Sept. 19 – Albuquerque, N.M., Isleta Amphitheater
Sept. 20 – Phoenix, Ariz., Ak-Chin Pavilion
Sept. 22 – Irvine, Calif., Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Sept. 25 – Mountain View, Calif., Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sept. 28 – Boise, Idaho, Taco Bell Arena
Sept. 30 – Eugene, Ore., Matthew Knight Arena
Oct. 1 – Tacoma, Wash., Tacoma Dome
Oct. 4 – Omaha, Neb., CenturyLink Center Omaha
Oct. 5 – Saint Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center
Oct. 7 – La Crosse, Wis., La Crosse Center Arena
Oct. 8 – Toledo, Ohio, Huntington Center
Oct. 10 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S. Cellular Center 

For more information about Tesla, please visit the band’s website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Pinterest home and YouTube channel.