Chevelle

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For the automobile produced by Chevrolet, see Chevrolet Chevelle.
Chevelle
Chevelle in 2007. From left to right: Sam Loeffler and Pete Loeffler.
Chevelle in 2007. From left to right: Sam Loeffler and Pete Loeffler.
Background information
Origin Grayslake, Illinois, United States
Genre(s) Alternative metal, hard rock
Years active 1995–present
Label(s) Squint, Epic
Associated acts Filter
Website chevelleinc.com
Members
Pete Loeffler
Sam Loeffler
Dean Bernardini
Former members
Matt Scott
Joe Loeffler
Geno Lenardo

Chevelle is an American alternative metal band that formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois. The band was originally comprised of three brothers: Pete (lead vocals/guitar), Sam (drums/percussion), and Joe Loeffler (bass/vocals). Joe left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Dean Bernardini soon after. Chevelle has sold nearly two million albums in the United States. Their second album, Wonder What's Next, was certified Platinum by the RIAA. Since its formation, Chevelle has released four studio albums, one live album, and one DVD.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Formation and Point #1

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

 Music sample:

"Point #1"

Sample of "Point #1" from Point #1. This is one of the first songs Chevelle recorded together.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Chevelle recorded a demo known as The Bleu album, and played small concerts for the next three years until they were signed on to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment.[1] The band recorded for 17 days in Electrical Audio studios, and in 1999, Chevelle released its first full length album, Point #1 which was produced by Steve Albini.[3] Two singles were released from Point #1 with accompanying music videos, "Point #1" and "Mia". The songs received GMA Dove Awards for "Hard Music Song" with "Mia" in 2000 and "Point #1" in 2001.[4] The album received an award for "Hard Music Album" in 2000 by the Dove Awards.[5] Point #1 was well received by The Phantom Tollbooth, a Christian music website, and HM Magazine,[6][7] yet was criticized for its repetitive song structures by Jesus Freak Hideout, a Christian music website.[8]

[edit] Wonder What's Next

 Music sample:

"The Red"

Sample of "The Red" from Wonder What's Next. This is the single that launched Chevelle into mainstream music.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Chevelle toured with bands such as Sevendust, Machine Head, Filter, and Powerman 5000 for four years before Squint Entertainment shut down and the band were signed on to Epic Records in 2002.[1] In 2002 Chevelle released its second studio album Wonder What's Next on Epic Records.[9] The band released the single "The Red", which reached number three on the Mainstrean rock charts, and the video was played in regular rotation on MTV.[10] Wonder What's Next soon peaked at number 14 on the United States Billboard 200 album chart.[11] Brian O'Neil of All Music Guide stated the album "offers uniqueness not often heard in more commercial fare, no mean feat."[12] Chevelle released two more singles from the album, "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.[10] Wonder What's Next was certified platinum by the RIAA with excess sales of one million copies sold in the United States alone in 2003.[13]

In 2003 Chevelle co-headlined Ozzfest, where the band recorded and later released its first live album, Live from the Road, and a live DVD, Live from the Norva.[9][14] 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.[14] 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".[15]

[edit] The departure of Joe Loeffler and This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)

 Music sample:

"The Clincher"

Sample of "The Clincher" from This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In). This song was featured in Madden NFL 2005 and was one of the last songs recorded with Joe Loeffler.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Prior to the release of Chevelle's third full-length album This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), the youngest of the brothers, the bassist Joe Loeffler, was dismissed from Chevelle. Due to different stories from the band members, it is unclear whether he was fired or left the band of his own accord. Pete and Sam stated the following on the band's official website: "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."[16] However, according to Ultimate Guitar Archive, Joe said of his departure:

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 'you're 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.[16]

In late 2006, Pete discussed his brother's departure on MTV.com:

People need to know that he quit many, many times before, and that [the last] time, he quit as well. He took a train home from Kansas City, Missouri, and the [rest of the] band flew home. And when we did get home, it was the same old thing — Joe quit again. When he was confronted on it, he denied it, and we said, 'Well, too bad, because now, it's really over.[17]

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

This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) was recorded in early 2004, and was released in September 2004.[9] The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA six weeks later.[11][18] Johnny Loftus of All Music Guide described the songs on the album as "strong dynamically, but sound predetermined — they don't separate from the general loud rock malaise."[19] 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.[10][20] Two other singles were released from the album, the titles of which are "The Clincher" peaking at number three on the Mainstream rock chart, and "Panic Prone" which peaked at number 26 on the same chart.[10] Before the album's release, Chevelle received attention when "The Clincher" was featured in the game Madden NFL 2005.[21]

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 permanent bassist, the Loeffler brothers' brother in-law and long time friend, Dean Bernardini.[14][16]

[edit] Vena Sera

Vocalist and guitarist Pete Loeffler performing in 2007.
Vocalist and guitarist Pete Loeffler performing in 2007.

In 2006 Chevelle recorded its fourth studio album titled Vena Sera. The album was the first album Chevelle recorded with Bernardini. Vena Sera was released in April 2007, debuting at number 12 on the Billboard 200, and sold 62,000 copies during its first week of release.[22] The title of the album translates to "vein liquid" in Latin, representing the blood Chevelle put into making the album, according to Pete.[23]

Corey Apar of All Music Guide States that "Vena Sera probably won't disappoint fans, if for the sole fact that it basically sounds just like Chevelle's other albums" and that it has a "relatively lighter underbelly than the rest [of Chevelle's albums], which is a nice change of pace."[24] "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.[10] A video was made for the song, and due to winning a "battle of the bands" contest, received rotation on MTV2.[25] 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.[14] 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.[26] In July of the same year Chevelle toured Australia as a supporting act for the band The Butterfly Effect. On the tour in Australia Chevelle's band manager Rose died of cancer, much to the distress of the band.[23]

On May 9, 2007, during a show in Fort Worth, Texas Chevelle's trailer containing all of the band's equipment was stolen from the hotel at which the members were staying. 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."

[edit] Christianity controversy

Chevelle has caused controversy among Christian groups, because at one point they were on a Christian rock label, and thus the band has mistakenly been labeled "Christian rock." Keith Miller of Evangelsociety.org has been critical of Chevelle due to the band touring on Ozzfest with bands such as Cradle of Filth, who he claims incorporate strong satanic and anti-Christian themes into their lyrics.[27] Sam Loeffler said, "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, so the record [Point #1] was in Christian bookstores. It was really an accidental thing."[28]

Chevelle have tried to distance themselves from a Christian identity, claiming that they are not a Christian band. Sam jokingly stated in an interview, "We're recovering Catholics."[27][28][29] 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."[30]

[edit] Influences and style

Chevelle's primary musical influences as stated by the band members are Helmet, Tool, and The Cure.[31][32][33] 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".[34] 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.[31]

 Music sample:

"Well Enough Alone"

Sample of "Well Enough Alone" from Vena Sera. This was the first single released with Dean Bernardini playing bass guitar.
Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Despite comparisons to Tool, many critics such as Andree Farias and Andy Argyrakis of Christianity Today and Robert Rich of The Daily Texan have stated Chevelle as having a unique sound to their music.[31][29][30] 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.”[31] Andree Farias of Christianity Today has reviewed Chevelle's first three albums, praising them as “commanding vocals over jolting guitars and chest-thumping bass beats.”[29] According to Christianity Today, although the band has caused controversy among Christian groups, Chevelle is one of the most successful bands of the modern hard rock and alternative metal genres, according to record sales and chart positions.[29]

[edit] Discography

Main article: Chevelle discography

[edit] Members

[edit] Former members

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Frey, Tracy. Chevelle Biography - All Music Guide. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
  2. ^ Chevelle - Christianmusic.com. Christian Music. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
  3. ^ Albini, Steve. The Problem With Music. Negativland. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
  4. ^ "Dove Award Recipients for Hard Music Recorded Song. Gospel Music Association. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
  5. ^ "Dove Award Recipients for Hard Music Album. Gospel Music Association. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
  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. 
  8. ^ DiBase, John (1999-09-11). Chevelle, "Point #1" Review. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  9. ^ a b c Music - Chevelleinc.com. Chevelleinc. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  10. ^ a b c d e Artist Chart History - Singles. Billboard charts. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  11. ^ a b Artist Chart History - Albums. Billboard charts. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  12. ^ O'Neill, Brian. (((Wonder What's Next))). All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  13. ^ Day, Tom. Chevelle - Wonder What's Next (Epic). Musicomh. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  14. ^ a b c d Tour Archive. Chevelleinc. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  15. ^ Music as a Weapon II. Disturbed1. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  16. ^ a b c Chevelle Bassist Fired?. Ultimate-guitar (2005-07-04). Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  17. ^ Chevelle Frontman Opens Up About Bassist Brother's Exit. MTV (2006-10-12). Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  18. ^ Bolton, R. scott (2005). November 2005 archive. Rough Edge. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  19. ^ Loftus, Johnny. (((This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)))). All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  20. ^ Chevelle, Helmet Head SnoCore Tour. Anti Music (2004-12-23). Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  21. ^ Cook, Chris (2004-07-01). EA Announces Madden NFL 2005 Soundtrack. Game Informer. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
  22. ^ Hasty, Katie (2007-04-11 and on april 28,2007 they performed at Earthday Birthday in Orlando, Florida). Now 24 Trumps Duff, McBride, Timbaland at No. 1. Billboard charts. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  23. ^ a b Loeffler, Sam. Band notes. Chevelleinc. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  24. ^ Apar, Corey. (((Vena Sera))). All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  25. ^ Chevelleinc News. Chevelleinc. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  26. ^ Chevelle I Get It - Premiere videos. MTV (2007-11-27). Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  27. ^ a b Miller, Kieth (2004-02-09). Chevelle's Uncertain Witness:. Evangel Society. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  28. ^ a b Boring, Chuck (2002-12-12). Chevelle: Music, The Industry, and The Value of a Good Mullet. E Insiders. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  29. ^ a b c d Farias, Andree. Chevelle This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (Epic). Christianity Today. Retrieved on 2007-12-25.
  30. ^ a b Argyrakis, Andy. Chevelle Live From the Road (Epic). Christianity Today. Retrieved on 2007-12-26.
  31. ^ a b c d Rich, Robert (2007-05-09). Chevelle to play in Austin, remains unique despite criticism. The Daily Texan. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
  32. ^ Steffens, Charlie (2005-02-21). Exclusive! Interview With Chevelle Drummer Sam Loeffler. Knac. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  33. ^ Assar, Vijith (2003-09-30). Lucky 'Thirteen': Keenan bolsters potence. The Cavalier Daily. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  34. ^ Mahajan, Karan (2003-03-07). Rockers Chevelle Keep it in the Family. Daily Stanford. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.

[edit] External links

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Chevelle
Dean Bernardini · Pete Loeffler · Sam Loeffler
Joe Loeffler · Geno Lenardo
Studio albums
Other albums
Videos
Singles
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