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In Words: Tesla



- Brian Wheat - Dec2008 - Claudia Ehrhardt -


www.teslatheband.com








Tesla promotion photo 2008
© Ross Halfin


Brian Wheat - December 2008 (by email)




For awhile Tesla is back - alive and kicking! Now they have a new album called Forever More and I’m really happy that I got the chance to do an interview by email with the guys! Especially to Brian Wheat who answered my questions. Thanks a million!


The most obvious change is on the guitar - Tommy Skeoch is out and Dave Rude is in. How did you find Dave?

Frank found Dave on MySpace. He picked up so fast and he’s so talented - a great guitar player, very easy to be around. He fits in perfect.

Some of the new songs on Forever More are heavier, mainly its the guitars... Was it Dave's influence? Or was is a natural process that some stuff turned out heavier?

I just think it turned out heavier because that's how they turned out. It wasn't Dave's influence, just a heavier record and us all working together and having a great time doing it.

Why do you choose Forever More as a title? And who had the idea to use the photo of the buried couple as a basis for the cover artwork?

The title sounded good, as it related to us as a band that has been together for a long time. The photo is a famous picture of these two bodies that died together in Pompeii. That symbol of two bodies being together for eternity fits the title of being, Forever More.

You run your own record company now. I guess it makes things easier as you have more control... How did it work out so far?

Works out great. I don't have to get on my knees and beg anyone to release a single. We sell and succeed on our own terms. More musicians should try it.

Some lyrics seem to come from personal experience while others are more universal... Who had the idea for Pvt Ledbetter? And how did you come up with the story?

That song was written by Jeff and Frank. They came up with the idea for the story.

There is a video clip for I Wanna Live, why you chose that track? And can we expect more videos from Tesla soon?

Just completed production (December 11) on, Fallin' Apart.

Beside playing in the U.S. you played last summer two festivals in Europe - Sweden Rock and GrasPop. How was playing these festivals?

Fucking killer!

Are there any plans to tour Europe? Or is it too early to ask?

We will be touring Europe in June and July of 2009.

To me it seems that a lot of the (hard) rock bands which started in the 80's are now very alive and hitting the road again... Do you think it's mainly the fans of the early days? Or does you see many young faces in your audience?

We do see a lot of young people in the audience. Some are there from their parents’ influence or some kids who I talk to discover us on MySpace surfing around.

Do you think the younger rock bands bring fresh blood to the scene? Does that help the well established bands?

Yes, they do bring fresh blood. It keeps us on our toes to not act like old men and always be aware of what's going on around us.

In the US are still rock radio channels, something we lack in Germany - and many other countries do too -, so does the internet got more important for you?

Tesla sells a lot of records due to the networking of radio, but I don't know the impact of internet for Tesla.

Just earlier this year you recorded a concert which meanwhile was released on DVD - and you already have out a DVD with the video clips and from the unplugged show. Have you thought about a DVD covering your whole career incl. live shots, interviews, etc. for the 25th band anniversary? Or do you have anything else in mind for the band's anniversary?

Box set in the works in conjunction with Universal Music Group.

Is there a question you miss? Something you want to add?

Nope. All good. Thanks for the time.

Brian Wheat
Tesla



So fans can look forward to see Tesla next year on the road. And I guess they will surprise us all with the box set... Meanwhile, listen to Forever More and their older releases!



Claudia Ehrhardt

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           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com


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