Jeff Keith (Tesla) & Miljenko Matijević (Steelheart) on Their New Collaboration: “I Just Wanna Make Love To You”
Two of rock ’n’ roll’s most iconic voices—Miljenko Matijević of Steelheart and Jeff Keith of Tesla—are turning up the heat this fall with a scintillating new cover of Foghat’s classic, “I Just Wanna Make Love To You.” The anticipated single drops worldwide on October 3, 2026, across all major streaming platforms. Bristling with raw power, playful energy, and undeniable chemistry, the track is more than just a tribute—it’s a celebration of friendship and musical camaraderie.
Antihero Magazine had the chance to speak with both singers ahead of the release, diving into the collaboration, the recording process, and their continued passion for rock music.
Antihero Magazine: Good evening, guys. You are both in bands with longevity dating back to the eighties. Have you known each other for a long time, or was this song collaboration someone else’s idea?
Jeff Keith: Well, I mean, obviously we were both from bands with top 10 singles and things. We always knew of each other, but really got to know each other, what, five years ago on the Monsters of Rock Cruise and really hit it off. Mili’s got me smoking cigars. I’m inhaling them. He informs me, don’t inhale it. I mean, just having fun. Stand it off as people—there’s certain times in life where you meet somebody and you just gel immediately. And we just became great friends. Then we’re on the ship last February, and I’m like, oh, we’re already going to hook up. We’re running all up and down that boat having fun, and next Mili goes, we should do a song. And next I’m like, you know what? We should not just talk about it but actually do it. And he calls me on a Sunday saying, “Hey, I got this Foghat track, ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You.’” My wife gets on the counter and goes, Wednesday, I’ll be there. And from there, Mili, just a guy, knows what he’s doing. Man, might have been from Sunday to Wednesday—might’ve been like, hang on, dude, you’re coming on a bit strong. I don’t know…
Antihero Magazine: What about the practicalities of actually recording the track? Was it done old school in a studio, or by swapping files online?
Jeff Keith: Online?
Miljenko Matijević: Jeff is in Southern California. I live in Northern California, so it’s a 15-minute flight. Jeff came down. I would have it any other way. There’s no way you could do that—especially a collaboration like this being separate. It just doesn’t work. You’ve got to be in the same room. You’ve got to feel the energy of both singers. Jeff came down, stayed three, four days. Basically, we were done the second day, but Jeff wanted to keep singing and then he just went, ah God, I’m going to do it again. I’ll record myself, and all of a sudden I got 15 takes. Worst part about that is which take is the one to use because when you have so many vocals, it’s hard to choose the ones to keep—they’re all so freaking good.
Antihero Magazine: Was it difficult to put your spin on a well-known song while infusing your unique vocal identity?
Miljenko Matijević: No, it wasn’t too bad at all. The idea going into producing the track is that it needs to be authentic. It just needs to be honest. That was the key. I just want to make sure it’s honest, up to date. Most important, it’s got rhythm—almost danceable. I want to do a dance version as well.
Jeff Keith: And Mil, this is his vision, man. He had it laid out, and I just went, ah, one of my all-time favorite bands is Foghat. When Mili wanted to do “I Just Wanna Make Love To You,” and he had it mapped out—fantastic job, Mili.
Miljenko Matijević: Thank you. We caught the rawness of the two singers—Jeff is bluesy and sits back in a beat with a great bluesy voice, then I come in kind of aggressive. It just works. And it’s got to. Let’s think about this: I Just Wanna Make Love To You. Either you sing it totally soft or you go for it. That’s it. I don’t know what the world thinks, but I think it’s good.
Antihero Magazine: So this collaboration is clearly exciting. Could this be the start of more work together?
Miljenko Matijević: Absolutely. I already see it happening. We already know the next song—it’d be great. But yeah, I’m really curious to see how the world perceives this.
Jeff Keith: I would love to do more. I just sang with Foghat the night before last for Slow Ride, and they’re really excited. Roger Earl and the whole Foghat camp, Linda’s wife, Willie Dixon’s family—they want to get behind and push it. We’re learning it’s different these days—you don’t just go into rotation on radio anymore. It’s a whole different animal.
Antihero Magazine: Any songs from Steelheart or Tesla’s past you’d like to revisit together?
Miljenko Matijević: That’s a really interesting idea.
Jeff Keith: Maybe. Right now, we’re just focusing on coming together and having fun with this raw energy.
Antihero Magazine: What’s happening individually with Steelheart and Tesla right now?
Jeff Keith: Tesla’s playing a few shows in Minnesota, then a residency at the House of Blues, Mandalay Bay. Then studio work in upstate New York with Brian Wheat, then a show in Cancun.
Miljenko Matijević: Steelheart is touring the U.S., Europe, and China. We’re also building the label and helping other artists grow their dreams.
Jeff Keith: When we were recording, we even started collaborating on a new song. Mili’s got a nine-foot piano, and we were already playing around with something. I can feel it.
Miljenko Matijević: Yeah, no, that one song that we wrote—there’s something great.
Antihero Magazine: Is that the same piano that was in the video for “Lips Of Rain”?
Miljenko Matijević: Actually? Well, no. For that video, we brought the piano all the way out to the Utah Salt Flats. It was a major ordeal. Collaboration, whether with two people or moving a piano, it’s about being in the same room and creating energy together.
Jeff Keith: That was great. I remember you showing me that, Mili, and thinking, how does anyone do this anymore?
Antihero Magazine: You’ve both maintained incredible vocal quality since the eighties. Any secrets?
Jeff Keith: There’s no secret. Mili and I just have fun. We’re lucky God gifted us these voices. And with both Steelheart and Tesla, we’re still viable, still filling seats.
Miljenko Matijević: You have to take care of yourself. That’s important.
Antihero Magazine: And the music industry—easier now or more complicated?
Miljenko Matijević: Complicated. Back then, you could pay for magazine ads and it worked. Now, algorithms, platforms, social media—it’s insane. But we’re legacy artists. We keep going.
Jeff Keith: Performing live is still everything. Whether it’s 2,000 or 200,000 people, it’s the same energy. It’s kryptonite for us—it’s a gift.
Antihero Magazine: Any UK shows coming up?
Miljenko Matijević: Yes, England on November 6th and Spain after that.
Jeff Keith: And maybe a special performance together—covering “I Just Wanna Make Love To You” live.
Miljenko Matijević: Absolutely. That’s going to happen.
Antihero Magazine: Thanks so much for your time, guys.
Miljenko Matijević: Nice speaking to you, brother.
