Tesla concert at Hobart Arena, Troy, Ohio

Tesla is three decades into its heavy metal career. While many of its contemporaries struggle on the oldies circuit, the enduring rockers, performing at Hobart Arena in Troy on Tuesday, Feb. 7, remain relevant and in high demand.

“Tesla is on an upswing right now,” guitarist Frank Hannon said. “We’ve been busier the past few years than we’ve been in our whole career, and it’ll probably be like that for the next few years. We got hooked up with new management and we’ve been working with Phil Collen from Def Leppard.

“We released a new single, ‘Save That Goodness,’ and made a video for it,” he said. “We released an album that’s the 30th anniversary of our ‘Mechanical Resonance’ album. We toured with Def Leppard and REO Speedwagon last year and we have dates this year with Def Leppard and Poison.”

Tesla, which formed in Sacramento, Calif., in the mid-1980s, launched its new tour on Feb. 1. The group will be on the road until late June, splitting its time between headlining gigs and opening slots for Def Leppard. Hannon credits Tesla’s staying power to strong songwriting.

“The elements of a good song is it’s from the heart, has melody and a positive message that isn’t cheesy,” he said. “We’ve set those goals for ourselves when we make a record. They’re not all works of genius, but every record has our intent of being the best songs we can write.”

Hannon also cites his Tesla bandmates’ blue-collar upbringing.

“We came from Sacramento, which is not Hollywood,” Hannon said. “Tesla is a blue-collar band. We’re down to earth. We all grew up with the same work ethic and the willingness to do it without treating people badly.”

Tesla is currently working on a new album produced by Collen.

“Phil Collen is like a sixth member of the band,” Hannon said. “Like Ronnie Montrose before him, Phil is now our mentor. He’s really inspiring us to try new things he learned from Mutt Lange in the studio with Def Leppard. We’re about 90 percent done with a new album of 10 new songs. We’re hoping to put it out this summer. It’s been really phenomenal.

“My advice to any group or musician is to always keep an open mind to an outside coach,” Hannon added. “It helps to have somebody on the outside that can be a mentor to manage, produce or coach you and give you advice. If you’re open-minded and have the right person, it’ll take you to places you won’t go on your own.”

WANT TO GO?

Who: Tesla with special guests NoMara

Where: Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7

Cost: $25, $32, $60

More info: 937-339-2911 or www.hobartarena.com

Artist info: www.teslatheband.com

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