I'm pretty sure that Tesla was the guy out of Sparks. I mean, him being an electronics expert he must have been a bit of a bright spark. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he didn't single-handedly invent the first synthesiser. No wonder OMD were so inspired by him!
Absinthe is a very potent drink, once much favoured in artistic circles and, as chriskay rightly says, is sometimes refered to as "la fée verte" (the green fairy). It was banned for a long time in many countries.
Next time you watch the movie
Moulin Rouge it will suddenly all make sense!