Season 1 - Episode 29 - Troy Luckketta - Drummer - Tesla

Tesla drummer Troy Luckketta joins Non-Stop Rock to discuss Tesla's latest release 'Five Man London Jam', the 30th anniversary of the classic 'Five Man Acoustical Jam' and how the two albums coincide with each other. Stay safe and enjoy!!!

Transcript

spk_0:   0:00
you love the sun That lots you are. Stop that. Never Bacon The flowers bloom Take it went too soon. Yes, There's no words to explain way with pain, no matter. Way Mammaries way with Tyson Friday afternoon. Try Welcome to nonstop rock talk. It is such a pleasure to have you on the show today. How you doing, man?

spk_1:   1:15
E?

spk_0:   1:17
I am very well, thank you. Under, I mean, under the circumstances of be stuck in the nose. But, um, it is yes. No kidding. Um, I want to start off by actually asking you about Troy shows up

spk_1:   1:34
what I have for shows up dot com. Um, yeah, program That was started a little over a year and 1/2 ago. I would have to speak in middle school and the gentleman want talk about drugs. I'm 27 years coming up on 27 years being solar. So he had asked me, find part of the case about for us and put a program together and bring my drawings and play and question. Answer the 20 minute presentation. So basically, I went and documented and, um, it started choice shows that that calm and for shows up comes from my program. If you go to the toilet dot net, your team on my website has just show up. I'm that guy that's just been showing up and saying yes to pretty much everything. Um, and a lot of my success is our duty just showing that, like most of us, But, you know, when I was younger, my story was a lot of, um I didn't show up and, um, got into a lot of people pleasing. I didn't do well at school, made bad choices and such and and, uh, ended up, you know, from drugs. And then I got sober and, uh, so an hour and talking to get on my high school and middle school so that what happened? Because official will take it. I want it pushes up a table.

spk_0:   3:09
That's cool. Was that I? Didn't I I honestly, I had I was actually on your website a couple weeks ago, and I didn't just kind of browsing through it and didn't didn't seat up working, but But I'm gonna check. That was awesome. Um, so now getting to the Newcastle album five. Mainland in jam. Um, it's kind of funny, because in 1990 When the five man acoustical game came out. I was just I guess I was 15 16 years old, and it was kind of funny because my buddies and I were always like total rockers and, you know, like we love we love to Tesla. And then this thing came out and it totally, like, changed our opinion of acoustic music, which was awesome. And we just listen to this album over and over again, and we recited the the banter between the songs to each other and everything like that. So, um, but what? I kind of want to get Teoh in terms of this album? If this is the 30th anniversary of that album, and that's kind of why Tussle decided to do another one.

spk_1:   4:22
Yeah, the fact that it is the 30 year anniversary led to First of all, the first Let's talk about 1st 1 for just one second. The first album I've been Acoustical Jam that was in Afghanistan, never meant to be What it waas Yeah, it just happened. We're in a global night and we were taking a break on the Mali tour, were out on the doctor, feel good tour we had a couple nights off, we went and we just had to fund club. And one night we reported it, and that's what you got. So very question. Well, 30 years later, way we're going. We last Last year we were headed to play down the festival in England, and we had two days off in London and I am not sure who came up with the idea. I don't know if it was your reversal or a manager, but my ticket reversal actually there it was suggested that we go into, um, studios in London on the they are and just kind of, you know, roll through it, capture it like we did.

spk_0:   5:29
Yeah,

spk_1:   5:30
and we went, got out of there and played down the testable. We never even listening Playback. I mean, we just literally went in there. They had 24 people in there. They have cameras. They found that we get one rehearsal going into the place. Uh, but the music I revisited some of the old track and that's it. I mean, that's the end of that story. I mean, it was, for example, I don't like back in the day,

spk_0:   5:58
that's kind of cool it like I bought the Blue ray and I bought the vinyl of it, and I actually haven't opened the viol. Yeah, because I've wants the Blue Ray probably like, four times. And it's just it's amazing just the quality of the sound and and the video itself, it looks it looks fantastic. And I

spk_1:   6:21
got, uh, Tyson. I have not seen it. I could not

spk_0:   6:24
Oh, no,

spk_1:   6:25
I No, no, I haven't seen it finished. Um, I fall. You know, the rock. We made some edit point on, Then we have to mix. You know, when I heard it, I was like, Wow, this came out really good. I mean, it's one of those things that's interesting to do a really good idea or really bad idea.

spk_0:   6:45
Yeah.

spk_1:   6:46
Way were blessed, uh, once again, um, you know, and from what I'm hearing from people, and it's so good to hear you say you've washed it four times so that you like it.

spk_0:   6:59
Yeah.

spk_1:   7:01
And that that tells me that, you know, because I don't know exactly what be back is out there. I think it's pretty positive, and I don't want to hear, so I need to I need to do that. I need to get a copy. I'm gonna have about

spk_0:   7:17
Wow, you dumb. I

spk_1:   7:19
don't have to buy our way ahead of May. I have a blue vinyl. I think the I find it much album covers without the rafters in there that we've been out, but okay, great. Yeah, I'm gonna have

spk_0:   7:35
Yeah, I know. It looks It looks great. And it was funny because I watched that when I assume as it came and I bought it on Amazon. So as soon as it came in the mail, I opened it. I put it on and then it got me. And then I watched the old one because I have the DVD of that. And it's like and it was funny because I watched the extra stuff because I had watched that. I mean, there was a scene. There was a report part in the actual where Frank actually said that he had broken a string on. Um what song was it now? He's, um, modern day kalba. Sorry, but I lost my train of thought and so I watched intently on that. And it was funny because the camera pans and that it pans over elsewhere. And then you see Tommy's playing. I mean, you see, Frank's playing a different guitar those ago, okay? I never I never noticed that before. It was kind of cool. So you guys actually doing those extras and talking about it was was really need to, but, um, yeah,

spk_1:   8:39
um, where you know, it's interesting. Now I was thinking, What's going on right now? You know, virus thing. I think about actually calling a manager. I might even have to reach out to him today. I'm just sitting back. You know, I know that people are doing things now on on the Internet, live things and, like, how perfect is it for us to actually go do something now with five man wonder Jim?

spk_0:   9:08
Yeah,

spk_1:   9:08
Maybe we should figure out, maybe do perform. I guess it's out there. I don't know. Maybe there's something else we could do.

spk_0:   9:23
Yeah, yeah. I mean, other than talking to people like me or whatever, right, cause it's it's just everything is going to stop. I mean, there are lawsuit like you mentioned. There's lots of artists playing on, you know, social media and not, um, which has been great. Um I know Sammy Hagar and the Circle did like, won't get fooled again. The whose song? And they were like they had the four guys in different rooms, and I'm not sure exactly how they did it. It was That was really cool to see to, so I don't know. I saw it on Facebook, so it might be on Sami site. It was really cool, though. I think he I think he might have done another song as well. I didn't chuck that it, but

spk_1:   10:10
they their location plan?

spk_0:   10:13
Yeah.

spk_1:   10:14
How many?

spk_0:   10:16
Um, I just on that one. It was just the one song was, um

spk_1:   10:20
okay,

spk_0:   10:21
Yeah, least

spk_1:   10:22
maybe they I think I know that just recently to feel myself playing, But I'm not even cut it today on my kid, a studio, the house just face up my phone up playing guy. They do their part and make a video.

spk_0:   10:41
Yeah.

spk_1:   10:42
I don't think they're playing together.

spk_0:   10:44
Yeah, I don't I don't have to watch it again. I just wanted the one time that I can't remember if they were alive,

spk_1:   10:51
find and check it out.

spk_0:   10:53
Yeah, it was It was cool to see. It was just like knowing that that you don't like. They're They're doing what they have, what they can do to be creating music, which is cool. Um, so when you guys, when Tesla, uh, the decision of what songs? You were gonna play live. How did you make the decision of what teams? We're gonna We're going to be done. Yeah, for the five million Leiningen. I'm sorry

spk_1:   11:20
with, uh Well, we were asked to play 50 50 you know, 13%. We did not do. And it could include new songs, which we did from shock. Yeah, um, and we did. Some other tracks are factors in the other 50% from five. Critical Jan. And so we did in traditional coming out of it alive. Any other songs? Yeah, we were. We were playing our electric show and just some of those dogs and dreaming critics that, you know,

spk_0:   11:53
Right. Um I just thought I have the vinyl of shock as well, and I I listen to it to the other night. I've been listening to it quite a lot, actually. I'm really, really like that. All of them, actually, it's Ah, it's it. It was really good. And it was it was kind of different for you. It was different, but it was the same. And working with Phil Collins, I think, was for me was real. And I loved out floppers. So I just thought that was really cool. Dynamic,

spk_1:   12:21
uh, super exciting, man. Truly. I mean, yeah, making you gave me.

spk_0:   12:33
It's a it's It sounds really good, Teoh. It sounds really good. Um, I liked on Fire Man. Five men, London. Jim, How you guys approached tied to the tracks. It was cool to hear that song acoustically in Frank's slide intro. Um, since unfortunately I was supposed to come to see you guys see, Tossed will play a couple times last year, and it is it didn't happen because you were You guys were up in Canada and Falls, New York and was Is that song? I take it you guys do that song in the live shot right now?

spk_1:   13:09
That's correct. Yes, it goes on a great electric man. In fact, we were opening

spk_0:   13:15
really was a great track. That's it. Really good, Teoh. And then, um, forever love. You have to start out it. I haven't seen it. I will check out a for sure. I have not seen that video. It's good to know. Um, so forever loving you ended up on the album as well. Um, what? I felt a bit this song. Was it from shock? Was the fact that it reminded me kind of something that was, like, more more seventies. And I mean, I've said this on a previous fine. Casa. Really? Um, now, music. You're able to do more of a different thing and do more of your influence as opposed to being pigeonholed into doing a certain sound. Do you feel it's easier today as I say that to be able to be more creative,

spk_1:   14:06
I think we've always no good fortunate in the sense of being just who we are. Yeah, we've always we never got pigeonholed, I guess maybe because of the accident with Planet Man and we've always done things that we've always been created, I feel far, so I don't feel that it is easier last year. Um, from now, um, it's just part of what it is. You know, I think we're in position to do a lot of different things as we did. I don't know if you're familiar with the reel to reel.

spk_0:   14:51
You have those,

spk_1:   14:54
and and I just, you know, I just know about where we go in, you know, like that record. I mean, we could that over couple weeks and live in studio. We're picking straws, you know, picking little toothpicks. And we have Tyson problems. Do that without shouting about gravity, to come back with a bunch of CDs and have two picks and the five farms. And just to be in that song, you know, And that was decided when we would do certain things, you know, and just want to be passing. Cut it. And, uh, we've always been really good about, you know, keeping in creativity alive and well with group, you know, I mean personally for me. You know, I think maybe hang tough. You know, we didn't do on that version, but there's a nice create a diversion from that, and it is just different. Please. To prophesy songs is amazing, you know? And we've never limited ourselves in the area. Yeah, part of our equation of who we are, you know?

spk_0:   16:10
Yeah. Yeah, exactly. I mean, those reels were really the whole, um concept of that when it came. It wasn't it. You bought the I can't remember how that worked. The 1st 1 came out and then it was something you could fit the other. If you got the other one, you could fit inside, and you could make it like a double. Oh, my Kim. Yeah. Went

spk_1:   16:31
Basically what happened is it came out with one dick. It was set up and all for both ISS. So you opened it there was dismissing. It looked like a tape machine with just one rail in it. And then when you came to conduct here, you know, you got you got

spk_0:   16:52
Yeah, I can't remember. I can't remember how I got the second disc. I don't know if it was at a concert or what

spk_1:   17:00
that was due that day. A great idea. I mean, you know,

spk_0:   17:04
Yeah, Those were phenomenal

spk_1:   17:05
work and cool.

spk_0:   17:07
Yeah. There's so many good songs. Like so many good covers. It was phenomenal. This is really good.

spk_1:   17:13
Yes. Yeah. Just shows versatility is banned. You?

spk_0:   17:21
Yeah, and And where you guys

spk_1:   17:24
don't know it's still happening. There was talk about going in with Dave. Made his name.

spk_0:   17:29
Really?

spk_1:   17:30
Yeah, doing something, you know, I don't know if it's still on or not, but

spk_0:   17:36
yeah, um,

spk_1:   17:37
I talked about my first leak.

spk_0:   17:43
Well, that's that, Um, no, I wanted to ask about, like, coming actually live from that original, Um, from the original five man who school damp did did not just come naturally. How you guys change that? Ordered. It was it actually worked at because

spk_1:   18:04
no, everything's been metres. No, there's never been anything force. I don't remember. Ah ha. To be honest, I don't remember how it happened. I didn't think, you know. I don't know why. I don't know. But it happened. I don't remember you. Um Yeah. A nice group.

spk_0:   18:28
Yeah. Yeah, which is which was perfect. And it's funny because having had mechanical residents when that version came in, I could actually understand what the words were. An I more understand more what the words were. And then we and I mean my body's all learned the words and what it for government out of your life, which was cool. So you know what I

spk_1:   18:56
really enjoy? How much gold, you know, looking back, you know, I see it when you're in a bubble and we have in all these years and doing what we do. But looking back now, looking at the cat along in the history, the fact that we're still out of work and people still interested from your kids is a big, big scholars know. Yeah. So it's exciting. We're so grateful. Just knowing how tough business is been part isn't so great. And I didn't really realize that, to be perfectly honest with you, it's not something that we're just constantly moving forward. You know, we're not looking back. I would never look back. I just always moving forward and, uh, nice right now, you know, to kind of look back and go. Wow. You know, this is a great ride. People there are. No, you know, I think the market comes back together, get back out to do some more playing. That would be wonderful, you know?

spk_0:   20:03
Yeah.

spk_1:   20:04
Um I'm hoping that is the case. They'll But until that day, man, I I I'm unp proud of what? We don't know.

spk_0:   20:15
Yeah, it's you know what? When I wasn't sure when I opened that up, what to expect? And sometimes when when things got really hot or really done, they're just not Sometimes they aren't the same or they're not perceived as well. But this I think, with five million London jam you guys achieved it still gives me not seeing feeling when I when I listen to five man acoustical jam that I can listen to it over and over again and just I remember back to that time of when I had first heard it and then putting this on. And I think that's kind of what me what made me want to watch it again was just There's something There was something special about it. And I think being in Abbey Road Studios was one of those special things. But I just think the whole performance was was, was key and just it was phenomenal.

spk_1:   21:07
Yeah, you know, I remember when, uh, that thing together because we recorded just yourself. It was never meant to come out at the time is gonna be like, Oh, down the road. We'll just put out a little thing for fans. You kind of think it was never meant to be a big released. Like what? It turned into, um many that we didn't even want to put it out when they came to us on Reality Way only recorded that I remember correctly that way. Yeah, No, we don't get, you know, pull it together and and next it and, uh, looking back, you know, Thank out we did it that I don't like the fine man. London jail almost didn't happen. I'm talking like, days ahead. We were not comfortable. Percent? We didn't even have a contract with Universal. We were almost way were sure, But by that, we it'd be really I mean, literally I mean, came together allowed. We weren't We weren't 100% at the time. We're still working things out, contractually. And then we finding, too. Pull the plug in bed. Okay, Do it.

spk_0:   22:23
Wow, that is amazing. And then and have it turn it so well, it's crazy. And I was gonna

spk_1:   22:30
die, so I put on the table, man. When we left there, I wasn't sure what happened. E started to think it like I do. I do this lots of times, and I just started to go to that place like Oh, my God. I want this chance article. Just get disaster. You know, this could really look bad on us, you know, trying to go back and relive the moment. They didn't have it be a failure. You know, that's still pretty dark about it.

spk_0:   22:59
Yeah, I know what I mean. Like you said, you have you got I mean, I don't have to tell you. You've got to see it, because it But it is it it's especially in, like I said on the blue ray, Like blue races so different from DVD. And it's just like it just it's like you're there, which is amazing. And I was gonna

spk_1:   23:19
I got, like, a theater. Have to call.

spk_0:   23:26
You will love it, man. I loved it. Just

spk_1:   23:31
where I'm super excited about this interview and your energy, you know? I don't know. Hopefully we can get back out there. You never know. You never know. Okay. You know, we used to go out places, including shows. I don't know what will happen to get or not.

spk_0:   23:52
Yeah, I saw I saw you guys back in Toronto in the mid two thousands, and that was like an acoustic Kind of, uh, tour Did one, then? Yeah. Yeah, that was That was really good. We had around me, my body and I came to that show. We were right in the front, and, uh, we It was amazing. And I and honestly, I haven't seen you guys since I didn't seem Tesla place since ah, opening for Motley Crew on the doctor. Feel good to her. So, uh, was that in Toronto? The show? Yeah, the music one about the phoenix. It was called

spk_1:   24:36
Oh,

spk_0:   24:37
yeah. Cool. Then you still there? And still

spk_1:   24:40
I remember it Well, that, like early,

spk_0:   24:47
I think maybe 545

spk_1:   24:51
The reason I say that I remember we got back together. It was totally 2000. Have a four year break. And I remember way we're not scheduled to get back together. There's a real Dejan guys that they wanted the band to get together, Didn't wanna show you And we didn't do that. It's only that all we were supposed to do plan on getting back together

spk_0:   25:20
Well,

spk_1:   25:21
and that's what put us back together. And then I remember being driving across country in Canada on that tour. Think. And my God, Five years later, in a bus, it seems like just yesterday we said okay on like, man, I'm just living my whole life away in a bus, You know, um, but right now I got you thinking fires. I'm happy to be home next year.

spk_0:   25:58
Yeah, No kidding.

spk_1:   25:59
I mean, I'm not happy about making changes, Justin and all that. I'm not happy about the situation from the world and all that I'm saying from my personal money could be home right now. Explore ist,

spk_0:   26:13
you

spk_1:   26:13
know, really embracing that. They're joined.

spk_0:   26:17
Yeah, it's I mean, they're saying that there may not be any live music this year. That's what we're hearing.

spk_1:   26:24
I don't think we're about anything that next year.

spk_0:   26:29
Crazy, crazy.

spk_1:   26:32
You know, I heard spraying fall her to doubt. 20. That all kind of crazy. I watched letter anymore,

spk_0:   26:40
you know? I mean, there's so much There's so many rumors going around and who makes a decision? I don't owe the government

spk_1:   26:49
Well, you know, I mean, I don't know.

spk_0:   26:53
It's crazy. I mean, I know like the motley crue dot flaubert poison to or is up in the air, right? That's a lot of that's a lot of money at stake. And,

spk_1:   27:03
well, only that How does that happen now? I mean, I mean, they're gonna come back and just they think they

spk_0:   27:11
Yeah,

spk_1:   27:11
but along this year, I would imagine we'll just move it. Yeah.

spk_0:   27:17
Yeah,

spk_1:   27:18
that makes sense. We were supposed to be out of crude Bishop completely one way. I don't know. Who knows what going to do next year?

spk_0:   27:27
Yeah,

spk_1:   27:30
I want to do it. Different place, e work much?

spk_0:   27:38
No,

spk_1:   27:40
but he could be. Might be, like, the best of both from me at all. You know, maybe the things I write that much stronger, you know?

spk_0:   27:47
Well, yeah, Let's I mean, you kinda You Kinda hoping I felt this conversation with other artists. You kind of hold that maali. Maybe this will mean that more people people are sick. They don't want to be at home anymore. And they'll start going to more shows And, like, you know, it'll, uh, rejuvenated them to get and want to go see more music and see a lot of music, right? You never

spk_1:   28:10
Yeah. Yeah.

spk_0:   28:11
You know which.

spk_1:   28:12
Yeah, Maybe that'll be the case. Yeah, it'll be interesting. I'm sure we'll be talking again and hope for you. You know, when we get out that way.

spk_0:   28:22
Yeah. Where were you spoke? Where you're supposed to do the Alice Cooper. Gangs up here was test was supposed to be with us. I know there was no Alice was coming like No. Okay, maybe you weren't. Then I know Alice was coming up here with lead afford. Um, it's supposed way. Yeah. Yeah. Well, well, let's I mean fingers across that this, um They're saying we're at the peak in Canada where, um, the numbers could start dropping. Um, were they are? Yeah. They're that. Well, they're saying that could be I don't I don't I haven't seen the status in the last couple days. Were technically quarantined. Still until May 14th or something like that in a row.

spk_1:   29:15
Well, I know California. Another mark here. I heard that you like May. They're gonna start trying to put himself, you know, normalcy. I don't know, do faces and how that's gonna work. But so I don't think Broadway, of course. But e think ability, things you want to stop. This is to get back and do 50% capacity. Spoke like that, you know, I sure mandatory, Master.

spk_0:   29:50
Yeah,

spk_1:   29:51
work.

spk_0:   29:55
Yeah, and I think everything's gonna be kind of slowly easing back into it. Where is not gonna be room, that's all. Everything is wide open again. You're back to normal. It's hard to say how they're going to do it. You mentioned Broadway, and I find it funny. I want to run. The last time that Broadway was excellent. Closed down like that's

spk_1:   30:16
Yeah, we got fried. We hear tip D, which is the clock and pack can. There's always going on. And then you got New York. I mean, I mean, I watched the news has two days as well. So I take a peek back on. I had just been kind of isolated in my own little world over here, getting some work done around half got studio tryingto people live with music together, draws together traditions, stuff together. So that's what I'm doing behind the country. This whole thing, like well, not ever get back together. I

spk_0:   30:56
need to

spk_1:   30:56
do that day. You know, I'm just gonna work towards the no staying focused. Moving forward.

spk_0:   31:06
Yeah, exactly. Um, I was actually referring Teoh Broadway on National. Brought in Tennessee in Nashville.

spk_1:   31:13
Yeah,

spk_0:   31:15
yeah, but I've the last three years I've been down there, so I I kinda That's why I was kind of thinking about it. And I'm like, Wow, I just can't imagine that being a ghost. Look, no one there. Yeah, it is always so busy. But anyways, I just I just wanted Teoh. I wanted to thank you for coming on the show today, and I really appreciate talking with you. Thank you very much. You enjoy the rest of the way. That's no two, man. Got it. Here. One push of a button. An your way. Three, I gotta get