Tesla Releases Music Video For Their Aerosmith Cover Of ‘S.O.S. (Too Bad)’

The official music video for veteran California rock band Tesla’s version of Aerosmith’s “S.O.S. (Too Bad)” has been released.

The song may be found as a bonus track on the live album Full Throttle Live! by Tesla, which was released in May. The album has more songs by the band in addition to the single “Time To Rock!” which was recorded in August 2022 at the Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, South Dakota.

How Aerosmith Influences Tesla

Back in the 1970s, Aerosmith played a pivotal role in shaping Tesla’s musical journey. Jeff Keith, the band’s singer, and Frank Hannon, their guitarist, have often cited Aerosmith’s Live! Bootleg album as a profound influence on their own musical development. Hannon recalls:

“As a young guitarist in 1978, I studied Aerosmith’s Live! Bootleg album, learning all the raw guitar licks they played live. When it came time to pick a song to top off Tesla’s new live album, we chose a classic riff rocker from that legendary live album to pay tribute to Aerosmith and the raw realness of such a great guitar riff!”

How the Album Showcases Tesla’s Raw Energy

Full Throttle Live! was independently recorded, mixed, and produced by Hannon and bassist Brian Wheat. It truly captures Tesla’s raw and authentic performance. The album includes heavier songs like “Miles Away” and recent releases like “Time To Rock!” and “Cold Blue Steel.” It also features classic Tesla tracks like “Changes” and “Lazy Days, Crazy Nights,” all performed live at their best.

The lead-off single from Full Throttle Live was “Miles Away.” This song was released first by the boys since it exemplifies the tougher, heavier sound of the upcoming live album and Tesla. Due to its intense 6/8 rolling tempo and fiery guitar solo, “Miles Away” is a concert crowd favourite. The song’s lyrics, which talk about being a “rock star” on the road away from reality and missing home, add irony to the song’s selection.

When asked about Full Throttle Live in a recent interview with Metal Edge, Hannon stated:

“It’s 100% live, and it was recorded at the Sturgis Bike Rally, which is one of the great events that we love. It’s got motorcycles, rock music and a ton of energy. We love it, and the night that we played there, man, we were on fire. And I think we really captured it with this record… like lightning in a bottle. We’ve got a bonus track that we’ll include, an old Aerosmith song called ‘S.O.S. (Too Bad)’, and I don’t think too many people know it. We basically went back to California, hunkered down in my garage, set up some microphones, and recorded it live right then and there. I think that song is one of their best songs, and it was killer to get to record it.”

Regarding their cover of “S.O.S. (Too Bad),” Hannon said he was deeply influenced by Aerosmith’s Live! Bootleg album as a kid, admiring its raw energy. Their love for live recordings, which inspired Tesla in the ’80s, led them to record their early albums together as a band in a room, capturing that spontaneous energy. He believes that playing together as a group creates a unique vibe that can’t be replicated when recording separately. So, recording the Aerosmith song live in his garage without any constraints was like unleashing their full energy.

Tesla’s Member Update and Extra Vegas Shows

In September 2021, Troy Luccketta, who plays the drums for Tesla, shared that he wanted to step away from touring for a while. He made this decision so that he could have more time with his family and loved ones. Since then, a talented musician named Steve Brown, who happens to be the younger brother of Mick Brown, a former drummer for the band Dokken, has been filling in for Troy during Tesla’s live shows.

Because of a huge demand from their fans, Tesla has decided to extend their performances at the House Of Blues located in the Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. They’ve added five extra concert dates to their schedule. These new shows will start on Friday, September 29th, and are expected to provide a fantastic and unforgettable experience for their dedicated fanbase.