The band may have been overshadowed by Elon Musk, but in the late 1980s and early ’90s, hard rockers Tesla were easily the most famous Tesla around. The California band came up alongside glam metal acts like Def Leppard and Poison, but Tesla’s sound is rawer and more blues-based, while still built around catchy riffs and big hooks. The band’s hits include rockers like “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)” and “Modern Day Cowboy,” power ballads like “Love Song” and “Song & Emotion,” and vintage covers “Little Suzi” and “Signs,” which became Tesla’s highest-charting single in 1990.
After a hiatus in the late ’90s, Tesla has been going strong since reuniting in 2000, and most recent Tesla album Shock was produced by Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen (who also co-wrote several songs). “He took our song ideas and really produced them to the max, and I think people are really going to be blown away by the album,” guitarist Frank Hannon told Guitar World about working with Collen. These days, Tesla fits in comfortably with ’80s hard rock nostalgia, but the blue-collar blues rockers have never stopped being themselves.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 8 p.m. March 30, starting at $45 plus tax and fee, 18+. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
