Chevelle

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Chevelle
Chevelle playing at MyCoke Fest, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia, United States in 2007.
Chevelle playing at MyCoke Fest, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia, United States in 2007.
Background information
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genre(s) Alternative metal, hard rock, post-grunge
Years active 1995—present
Label(s) Squint, Epic
Associated
acts		 Filter
Website http://www.chevelleinc.com/
Members
Pete Loeffler
Sam Loeffler
Dean Bernardini
Former members
Matt Scott
Joe Loeffler
Geno Lenardo

Chevelle is an American hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois formed in 1994. The band comprises of the brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler, and brother in-law Dean Bernardini. Since its formation, Chevelle has released four studio albums, one live album, and one DVD.

Chevelle has sold nearly two million copies in the United States, including their second album, Wonder What's Next, certified platinum by the United States RIAA with access sales of one million copies. The band originally comprised of the three brothers Pete, Sam, and Joe Loeffler, the latter of whom left the band in 2005 due to internal differences, but was replaced by Dean Bernardini soon after.

Contents

Chevelle started in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois when the brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler started enjoying music, Pete started playing guitar and singing while Sam started playing drums in their parents garage. Soon after they began playing instruments the two brothers asked their good friend Matt Scott to play bass.[1] Pete and Sam's youngest brother was interested in the band when he started playing bass. The two brothers liked Joe's sound better than Scott's, leading to Scott leaving and being replaced by Joe. The name Chevelle came from the band member's father's favorite car Chevrolet Chevelle.[2] The band started playing small outdoor concerts and clubs around Chicago, Illinois with Joe being only 14 years old.[3]

Chevelle recorded a demo known as The Blue album and played small concerts for the next three years, until they were signed on to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment.[3] The band recorded for 17 days in Electrical Audio studios, and on May 4, 1999 Chevelle released its first full length album titled Point #1, and released two singles from the album, "Point #1" and "Mia". Music videos were made for both songs, and both received Dove Awards for "Hard Music Song" with "Mia" in 2000 and "Point #1" in 2001.[4] The album was produced by Steve Albini, who was known for producing the album In Utero by Nirvana as well as many other artists.[5]

Point #1 was well received by The Phantom Tollbooth and HM Magazine,[6][7] yet was criticised for its apparent repetitive song structures.[8] The album also received an award for "Hard Music Album" in 2000 by the Dove Awards.[9] During this time Chevelle was highly marketed as a Christian band due to the lyrics of the album incorporating Christian themes, specifically on "Point #1 and "Mia", and due to Squint Entertainment signing exclusively Christian artists.[3][10]

Chevelle toured with bands such as Sevendust, Machine Head, Filter, and Powerman 5000 for three years before Squint Entertainment shut down and were signed on to Epic Records in 2002.[3] On August 27, 2002 Chevelle released its second studio album Wonder What's Next on Epic Records.[11] The band released the single titled "The Red", and made a music video for it as well. The song reached number three on the Mainstrean rock charts, and the video was played in regular rotation on MTV.[12] Wonder What's Next soon peaked at number 14 on the United States Billboard 200 album chart.[13] Chevelle released two more singles from the album titled "Closure", and "Send the Pain Below", the latter of which reached the number one position on both of the mainstream rock and modern rock charts.[12] Wonder What's Next was certified platinum by the RIAA with access sales of one million copies sold in the United States alone in 2003.[14]

In 2003 Chevelle co-headlined Ozzfest, where the band recorded and later released its first live album, titled Live from the Road and a DVD titled Live from the Norva.[11][15] The band toured Europe with Audioslave in early 2003, and later in the year they played on the "Music as a Weapon II tour" with Disturbed.[15] On the tour with Disturbed, Chevelle appeared on the tour compilation album, titled Music as a Weapon II, featuring the songs "The Red" and "Forfeit".[16]

In 2004 Chevelle returned to the studio and recorded its third full-length album titled This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), which was released on September 21, 2004.[11] The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA six weeks later.[13][17] The song "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" was released as the first single from the album and reached the number one position on the Mainstream Rock chart.[12] A music video was made for the song and received rotation on MTV and MTV2.[18] Two other singles were released from the album, the titles of which are "The Clincher" peaking at number three, and "Panic Prone" which peaked at number 26.[12] Before the album's release, Chevelle received attention when "The Clincher" was featured in the game Madden NFL 2005.[19]

Prior to the released of This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), the youngest of the brothers, and the bassist Joe Loeffler was dismissed from Chevelle. It is unclear whether he was fired or if he left the band due to different stories from the band members. Pete and Sam state the following: "After three years of non-stop touring and recording, Joe is taking a break to be home with family. We'll miss having him on the road with us, but as his brothers and bandmates we respect his decision and are looking forward to getting out there and playing for the fans. See you on tour." However Joe has a different side to the story,[20]

“First off, very typical. This is exactly what I expected from them. Try and make it look like I didn't want to be in the band. I was fired plain and simple, in fact there wasn't even a discussion about it they just dropped it on me. I told them I would never quit and they would have to fire me. They were trying to get me to quit and told my managers that I did. I called Sam and said 'Why are you doing this?' and he said we don't want you to come back. I said I will not quit. The next day Pete called for the first time and said 'Did (our managers) call you and tell you your out?' I said 'No, were they supposed to?' he eventually said in that short conversation 'your fired'. I am insulted by the message on the front page of the site,(by the way, that's the first change to the site I've seen in at least a year!) it is completely false and out of line. I made no decision and am not taking a break. I will be working on getting a new job immediately. A break also means there's a chance to come back, and nothing could be farther from reality. I was fired and they have not said a word to me since. I would never ask to be back in (why would I want to after this?) and I never did in the past when I quit. 'We'll miss having him on the road with us'... Right.”

The band supported This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) with a headlining tour that included opening acts such as Taproot and 30 Seconds to Mars, and continued playing small tours in 2004 and 2005 with Geno Lenardo from the band Filter. In 2006 Chevelle supported Nickleback for an arena tour across the United States, with a new permenant bassist, Dean Bernardini.[15][20]

Dean Bernardini is Chevelle's current bassist.
Dean Bernardini is Chevelle's current bassist.

In 2005 Joe Loeffler was dismissed from Chevelle, but was soon replaced. Filter bassist Geno Lenardo filled in as a part-time tour bassist in 2005, when in 2006 the band's brother in-law and long time friend Dean Bernardini became a full-time replacement of Joe. Bernardini finished the touring in support of This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) and entered the recording studio with Pete and Sam.[20]

In 2006 Chevelle returned to the studio to record its fourth studio album titled Vena Sera. The album was released on April 3, 2007, debuting at number 12 on the Billboard 200, the album sold 62,000 copies during its first week of release.[21] The title of the album translates to 'vein liquid', representing the blood Chevelle put into making the album according to Pete.[22] "Well Enough Alone", the first single from the album was written about the departure of Joe Loeffler, and reached number four on the Mainstream rock charts.[12] A video was made for the song, and due to winning a "battle of the bands" contest, received rotation on MTV2.[23] Chevelle toured with Evanescence, Finger Eleven, and Strata during March and April 2007, followed by a headlining tour with the latter two bands in May and June.[15] The second single from the album, "I Get It" was released on June 12, 2007, and a video for the song debuted on MTV on November 27, 2007.[24] In July of the same year toured Australia as a supporting act for the band, The Butterfly Effect. On the tour in Australia Chevelle's band manager died of cancer, much to the distress of the band.[22]

On May 9, 2007, during a show in Dallas, Texas Chevelle's trailer containing all of the band's equipment was stolen from the hotel the members were staying at. The band posted a notice saying, "Most items are labeled 'Chevelle' and if you notice anything suspicious on ebay or other online resellers selling 'authentic' Chevelle items... guitar, basses, drums amplifiers, risers, backdrops, tee shirts... please call the police..." A month later in an interview, Sam Loeffler stated, "Of the 14 guitars, we got two of 'em, and then we got some amplifiers back and our monitor system. So it's really, I mean it's cool because it's kind of like Christmas, only really weird. People have been calling us and saying, 'Hey, I bought this or that', and you know, we're just doing our best to buy it back from them. And certainly the issue is not a money issue, it's about having the pieces of gear that you did all your records with."[25]

Chevelle has caused controversy among Christian groups, due to the band proclaiming themselves Christians, yet incorporating swear words and anger into the band's lyrics. Kieth Miller of Evangelsociety.org has been critical of Chevelle due to the band touring on Ozzfest with bands such as Cradle of Filth, who incorporate strong satanic and anti-Christian themes into its lyrics.[26] The same man was concerned of the band switching from a Christian record label to a more mainstream label, Sam responded stating, "It’s something that’s probably going to follow us around forever and that’s fine. It’s pretty simple. We originally signed with a record company that was backed by Word (a Christian record label housing John Tesh and Amy Grant), so the record (Point #1) was in Christian bookstores. It was really an accidental thing."[27]

Chevelle incoporated Christian themes into the lyrics of some of the songs on Point #1 and Wonder What's Next, but have refrained from the themes on This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) and Vena Sera, even adding profane language into the two latter albums. Christian themes can be heard in the lyrics of the songs "Point #1", "Mia", and "Grab Thy Hand" from Chevelle's first two albums, but on This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), lyrics are pointed towards society struggles. The only song on the album with Christian fed lyrics is the song "The Clincher" written about the band's view of the Mel Gibson film The Passion of the Christ.[28]

Chevelle has tried to distance themselves from the label, "Christian band", claiming they are Christian individuals, but not a Christian band. Sam jokingly stated in an interview, "We're recovering Catholics, but use the Christian name."[26][27][28] Sam also told the Chicago Tribune, "Our faith is still extremely important to us, but it's also very personal. None of us feels being a rock band on stage should be a pedestal for preaching."[29]

Chevelle's primary musical influences as stated by the band members are Helmet, Tool, and The Cure.[30][31][32] Chevelle has frequently been compared to Tool throughout its career, specifically when the band released its music video for "Mia" featuring a claymation doll throughout the video, much like the Tool music video for "Stinkfist".[33] Pete Loeffler's singing voice has been highly compared to that of Tool's Maynard James Keenan, and the band's music has been compared to Tool's "dark" tone of music.[32]

Despite comparisons to Tool, many critics such as Christianity Today and The Daily Texan have stated Chevelle as having a unique sound to their music.[28][29][32] The Daily Texan described their music as “a kind of controlled chaos, a beautiful darkness, a gentle rampage of aural velocity”, and drew away from the band's comparisons to Tool by stating, “Tool have always embraced their experimental side and released scathing social commentaries and criticisms, while Chevelle write radio-friendly tunes with subtly deep meanings, but with overtones easily grasped by any listener.”[32] Christianity Today has reviewed Chevelle's first three albums praising them as, “commanding vocals over jolting guitars and chest-thumping bass beats.”[28] Although the band has caused controversy among Christian groups and have been compared to Tool, Chevelle is one of the most successful bands of the modern hard rock and alternative metal genres.[28]

Main article: Chevelle discography

  1. ^ Chevelle information. Pit5.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  2. ^ Chevelle - Christianmusic.com. Christianmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
  3. ^ a b c d Frey, Tracy. Chevelle Biography - AOL. AOL. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  4. ^ "Dove Award Recipients for Hard Music Recorded Song. Gospel Music Association. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
  5. ^ Albini, Steve. The Problem With Music. Negativland.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
  6. ^ Stewart, James (1999-07-28). Point #1. The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  7. ^ Olson, Chad (July/August 1999). "Album Reviews: Chevelle Point #1". HM Magazine (78). ISSN 1066-6923. Retrieved on 2007-04-24. 
  8. ^ DiBase, John (1999-09-11). Chevelle, "Point #1" Review. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  9. ^ "Dove Award Recipients for Hard Music Album. Gospel Music Association. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
  10. ^ Style, Justin (October 2003). "Wonder What's Next". Cross Rhythms (77). Retrieved on 2007-04-24. 
  11. ^ a b c Music - Chevelleinc.com. Chevelleinc.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  12. ^ a b c d e Artist Chart History - Singles. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  13. ^ a b Artist Chart History - Albums. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  14. ^ Day, Tom. Chevelle - Wonder What's Next (Epic). Musicomh.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  15. ^ a b c d Tour Archive. Chevelleinc.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  16. ^ Music as a Weapon II. Disturbed1.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  17. ^ Bolton, R. scott (2005). November 2005 archive. Roughedge.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  18. ^ Chevelle, Helmet Head SnoCore Tour. Antimusic.com (2004-12-23). Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  19. ^ Cook, Chris (2004-07-01). EA Announces Madden NFL 2005 Soundtrack. Gameimformer.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  20. ^ a b c Chevelle Bassist Fired?. Ultimate-guitar.com (2005-07-04). Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  21. ^ Hasty, Katie (2007-04-11). Now 24 Trumps Duff, McBride, Timbaland at No. 1. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  22. ^ a b Loeffler, Sam. Band notes. Chevelleinc.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  23. ^ Chevelleinc News. Chevelleinc.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  24. ^ Chevelle I Get It - Premiere videos. MTV.com (2007-11-27). Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  25. ^ Chevelle: Slowly recovering stolen gear. Blabbermouth.net (2007-06-14). Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  26. ^ a b Miller, Kieth (2004-02-09). Chevelle's Uncertain Witness:. Evangelsociety.org. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  27. ^ a b Boring, Chuck (2002-12-12). Chevelle: Music, The Industry, and The Value of a Good Mullet. Einsiders.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  28. ^ a b c d e Farias, Andree. Chevelle This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (Epic). Christianitytoday.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  29. ^ a b Argyrakis, Andy. Chevelle Live From the Road (Epic). Christianitytoday.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
  30. ^ Steffens, Charlie (2005-02-21). Exclusive! Interview With Chevelle Drummer Sam Loeffler. Knac.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  31. ^ Assar, Vijith (2003-09-30). Lucky 'Thirteen': Keenan bolsters potence. The Cavalier Daily. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  32. ^ a b c d Rich, Robert (2007-05-09). Chevelle to play in Austin, remains unique despite criticism. The Daily Texan. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  33. ^ Mahajan, Karan (2003-03-07). Rockers Chevelle Keep it in the Family. Daily.stanford.edu. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.

  • (May/June 1999) "Chevelle". 7ball Magazine (24). Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 

v • d • e
Chevelle
Pete Loeffler · Sam Loeffler · Dean Bernardini
Matt Scott · Joe Loeffler · Geno Lenardo
Studio albums Point #1 · Wonder What's Next · This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) · Vena Sera
Other albums The Blue album · Live from the Road
Videos Live from the Norva
Singles "Point #1" · "Mia" · "The Red" · "Send the Pain Below" · "Closure" · "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" · "The Clincher" · "Panic Prone" · "Well Enough Alone" · "I Get It" · "The Fad"
Related articles Discography
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevelle"
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