Chevelle (band)

Chevelle is an American rock band formed in Grayslake, Illinois, in 1995. The band was originally composed of two brothers, Pete Loeffler (lead vocals and guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums and percussion), along with Matt Scott (bass and backing vocals). Scott was replaced by Sam and Pete's brother, Joe Loeffler, in 1996. When Joe left the band in 2005, Geno Lenardo subbed in as the touring bassist until he was replaced by Pete and Sam's brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini. Bernardini departed from the band in 2019, and in 2021, Kemble Walters joined the band as a touring bassist.

The band's first studio album, Point #1, was released on a small record label called Squint Entertainment. Chevelle's second album, Wonder What's Next (2002), was certified double platinum by the RIAA after a debut at No. 14 on the United States albums chart, Billboard 200. This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (2004), the band's third album debuted at No. 8 and has been certified platinum. Chevelle has since released seven more albums: Vena Sera (2007), Sci-Fi Crimes (2009), Hats Off to the Bull (2011), La Gárgola (2014), The North Corridor (2016), NIRATIAS (2021), and Bright as Blasphemy (2025). Other releases from Chevelle include two live albums, two DVDs, and two compilation albums. As of 2022, the band has sold over 6 million records.

History

Formation, Point #1, and Wonder What's Next (1995–2003)

File:Chevelle logo (band).svg

Logo used since Wonder What's Next.

Chevelle formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois, when brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler started enjoying and learning to play music.<ref name="AMG">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="crossrhythms">Template:Cite web</ref> Pete started playing guitar and singing while Sam began playing drums in their parents' garage.<ref name="AMG"/> Bassist Matt Scott was also in the band until 1996.<ref name="Chevelle Sputnik">Template:Cite web</ref> Their youngest brother Joe Loeffler joined the band replacing Scott.<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="crossrhythms"/> Each of the band members were self-taught musicians.<ref name="crossrhythms"/><ref name="Chevelle Sputnik" /> The name Chevelle came from the Chevrolet Chevelle, a car popular in the Midwestern hot rod scene around which the Loeffler brothers grew up.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Christian music">Template:Cite web</ref> The band started playing small outdoor concerts and clubs around Chicago, Illinois, with Joe being only 14 years old.<ref name="AMG" />

Chevelle recorded a seven-track demo known as The Blue Album, released in 1998.<ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/> The band played small concerts for the next three years until they were signed on to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment,<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="crossrhythms"/><ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/> a contemporary Christian music label. The band recorded with Steve Albini for 17 days in Electrical Audio studios and released its first full-length album, Point #1 in 1999.<ref name="crossrhythms"/><ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="JFH#1">Template:Cite web</ref> Two singles were released from the album with accompanying music videos, "Point #1" and "Mia".<ref name="crossrhythms"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The songs received GMA Dove Awards in 2000 and "Point #1" in 2001.<ref name="DOVE_HS">"Template:Cite web</ref> The album received an award for "Hard Music Album" in 2000 by the Dove Awards.<ref name="DOVE_00">"Template:Cite web</ref> The album was well received by Phantom Tollbooth and HM Magazine,<ref name="Tollbooth#1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="HM_78">Template:Cite journal</ref> yet was criticized for its repetitive song structures by Jesus Freak Hideout, a Christian music website.<ref name="JFH#1"/> The band's label at the time was going through legal troubles as Word Records was attempting to wrest control of Squint from Taylor.<ref name="crossrhythms"/> This caused uncertainty with the band's future.<ref name="crossrhythms"/> Discussing the legal battle, bassist Joe Loeffler stated "we weren't sure if anything was going to happen after that, it was pretty crazy."<ref name="crossrhythms"/>

Chevelle toured as support to bands such as Sevendust, Machine Head, Filter, and Powerman 5000 in this period.<ref name="AMG" /><ref name="Chevelle Sputnik" /> Squint Entertainment closed down in 2001 and the band signed with Epic Records in 2002.<ref name="AMG"/> In 2002 Chevelle released its second studio album Wonder What's Next on Epic Records.<ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/><ref name="Wonder What's Next AllMusic">Template:Cite web</ref> The band released the single "The Red", which reached No. 3 on the Mainstream rock charts, and the video was played in regular rotation on MTV.<ref name="Singles">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Wonder What's Next soon peaked at No. 14 on the United States Billboard 200 album chart.<ref name="Artist Chart History">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Brian O'Neil of AllMusic stated the album "offers uniqueness not often heard in more commercial fare, no mean feat."<ref name="Wonder What's Next AllMusic"/> Chevelle released two more singles from the album, "Closure",<ref name="MTV Closure">Template:Cite web</ref> and "Send the Pain Below",<ref name="MTV Closure"/><ref name="Ozzfest">Template:Cite web</ref> the latter of which reached the No. 1 position on both of the mainstream rock and modern rock charts.<ref name="Singles"/> Wonder What's Next was certified 2× platinum by the RIAA with excess sales of one million copies sold in the United States alone in 2003.<ref name="MusicomhreviewWWN">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Chevelle was nominated for three awards at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards.<ref name="Billboard Music Awards">Template:Cite magazine</ref> One as a band and two for their song "Send the Pain Below".<ref name="Billboard Music Awards"/> The categories they were nominated for were Modern Rock Artist, Modern Rock Track, and Top Rock Song.<ref name="Billboard Music Awards"/>

In 2003, Chevelle performed at Ozzfest,<ref name="Ozzfest"/> where the band recorded and later released its first live album, Live from the Road,<ref name="Live from the Road">Template:Cite magazine</ref> and a live DVD, Live from the Norva on October 14, 2003.<ref name="MTV Closure"/> In 2003, the band was featured on the Music as a Weapon II tour with Disturbed.<ref name="Live from the Road"/><ref name="Music as a Weapon II AM">Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref name="Music as a Weapon II AM"/> Keith Miller of EvangelSociety.org was critical of Chevelle for touring with Ozzfest with bands such as Cradle of Filth, who he claimed incorporated strong Satanic and anti-Christian themes into their lyrics.<ref name="Over-reacter">Template:Cite web</ref> Chevelle held their first major headlining tour, from November 1 to December 17, 2003.<ref name="MTV Closure"/> The tour started in Cleveland and ended in Chicago.<ref name="MTV Closure"/>

In 2004, 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 (a Christian label housing John Tesh and Amy Grant), so [Point #1] was in Christian bookstores. It was really an accidental thing".<ref name="Over-reacter" /><ref name="Christianity today">Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref name="Live From the Road review">Template:Cite web</ref>

Line-up changes, This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), and Vena Sera (2004–2008)

This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) was recorded in early 2004 and was released on September 21, 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Melodic>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="This Type AllMusic">Template:Cite web</ref> The album debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA six weeks later.<ref name="Artist Chart History"/> Johnny Loftus of AllMusic described the songs on the album as "strong dynamically, but sound predetermined — they don't separate from the general loud rock malaise."<ref name="This Type AllMusic"/> The song "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" was released as the first single from the album and reached the No. 1 position on the Mainstream Rock chart.<ref name="Singles"/><ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two other singles were released from the album, the titles of which are "The Clincher" peaking at No. 3 on the Mainstream rock chart, and "Panic Prone" which peaked at No. 26 on the same chart.<ref name="Singles"/><ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/> The band's song "The Clincher" was featured in the video games Madden NFL 2005 and NASCAR 25.<ref name="The Clincher soundtrack">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

After the release of the album, the youngest of the brothers, Joe Loeffler, was dismissed from Chevelle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Did Joe get fired">Template:Cite web</ref> Due to different stories from the band members, it is unclear whether he was fired or left the band of his own accord.<ref name="Did Joe get fired"/> 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." However, according to Ultimate Guitar Archive, Joe said he was fired.<ref name="Did Joe get fired"/>

The band supported This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) with a headlining tour that included opening acts such as Taproot and Thirty Seconds to Mars,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and continued playing small tours in 2005 with Geno Lenardo from the band Filter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August 2005, the Loeffler brothers' brother-in-law and longtime friend, Dean Bernardini joined the band as their newest bassist.<ref name="AMG" /><ref name="Did Joe get fired" /> In 2006 Chevelle supported Nickelback for an arena tour across the United States.<ref name="Did Joe get fired"/>

File:Pete Loeffler at 2007 MyCokeFest in Atlanta.JPG

Vocalist and guitarist Pete Loeffler performing in 2007 at MyCokeFest in Atlanta

In 2006, the band recorded their fourth studio album titled Vena Sera. The album was the first album Chevelle recorded with Bernardini.<ref name="Vena Sera AllMusic">Template:Cite web</ref> Vena Sera was released on April 3, 2007,<ref name="Vena Sera AllMusic"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard 200, and sold 62,000 copies during its first week of release.<ref name="Chevelle Sputnik" /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The title of the album translates to "vein liquid" in Latin, representing the blood Chevelle put into making the album, according to Pete.<ref name="Journal">Template:Cite web</ref>

Corey Apar of AllMusic states that "Vena Sera probably won't disappoint fans, and it didn't, if for the sole fact that it basically sounds just like Chevelle's other albums". He noted that the song "I Get It" "has a relatively lighter underbelly than the rest, which is a nice change of pace, but it's ultimately too little, too late".<ref name="Vena Sera AllMusic"/> "Well Enough Alone", the first single from the album, was written about the departure of Joe Loeffler, and reached No. 4 on the Mainstream rock charts.<ref name="Singles"/> Chevelle toured with Evanescence and Finger Eleven during March and April 2007,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by a headlining tour with Finger Eleven and Strata in May and June.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July of the same year, Chevelle toured Australia as a supporting act for the band The Butterfly Effect.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the tour in Australia, Chevelle's band manager Rose died of cancer, much to the distress of the band.<ref name="Journal"/>

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.<ref name="Fort Worth">Template:Cite web</ref> 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."<ref name="Fort Worth"/>

Sci-Fi Crimes and Hats Off to the Bull (2009–2012)

File:Pete of Chevelle Live at the Carnival of Madness 2012.JPG

Pete Loeffler performing live at the Carnival of Madness tour in 2012 at the Laredo Energy Arena

In 2009, Chevelle entered a studio in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Brian Virtue. Sam Loeffler stated, "We have spent a lot of time making these songs something different from past records without losing the core of our passion. We are a hard rock, melodic band and it's still what drives us as musicians."<ref name="Fifthystuff">Template:Cite web</ref> The new album, titled Sci-Fi Crimes was released on August 31, 2009,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="HM Sci-Fi Crimes">Template:Cite magazine</ref> peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 album chart with sales of about 46,000, the highest entry onto the chart to date for the band.<ref name="Chevelle Sputnik"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="anylastwords">Template:Cite web</ref> The album was praised by Jared Johnson of AllMusic for taking a step in a new direction in regards to the lyrics.<ref name="Sci-fi Crimes AllMusic">Template:Cite web</ref> Pete Loeffler normally wrote lyrics about personal subjects. However, on Sci-Fi Crimes he wrote of stories including apparitions, conspiracy theories, and erratic sleeping conditions.<ref name="Sci-fi Crimes AllMusic"/> The tour following the release of Sci-Fi Crimes was in the late 2009.<ref name="HM Sci-Fi Crimes"/> Halestorm opened for Chevelle on this tour.<ref name="HM Sci-Fi Crimes"/> Chevelle also joined Halestorm, Staind, and Shinedown on "Stimulate This!" tour starting in July 2009.<ref name="Halestorm opening for Chevelle">Template:Cite web</ref>

In January 2011, Chevelle released a live CD/DVD combo, Any Last Words.<ref name="anylastwords"/> The release was part of Chevelle's ten-year anniversary as a recording band. As a special offer for fans, part of the pre-order package included a T-shirt and the fans' name in the 'thank yous' part of the album booklet.<ref name="anylastwords"/>

On December 6, 2011, Chevelle released Hats Off to the Bull, their sixth studio album.<ref name="Hats Off to the Bull AllMusic">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album's first single was titled "Face to the Floor",<ref name="hatsoffdebut">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which reached No. 3 on Billboard's Rock songs chart.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard charts and sold 43,000 copies in its first week of release.<ref name="hatsoffdebut"/> Joe Barresi, who produced Hats Off to the Bull said of the album, "Rather than simply subscribing to a tried-and-true formula, they made a conscious effort to incorporate new sounds and textures into their patented airtight anthems. As a result, Hats Off to the Bull is one of the group's most infectious and impressive offerings to date."<ref name="hatsoffdebut"/> AllMusic reviewer Gregory Heaney stated the album is "Heavy and dramatic, the album is packed full of tightly coiled, muscular riffs, giving the album a controlled feeling more like a slow burn than an explosive, cathartic release."<ref name="Hats Off to the Bull AllMusic"/>

Chevelle was nominated for Rock Band of the Year at the 2012 Loudwire Music Awards.<ref name="Loudwire Music Awards 2012">Template:Cite web</ref> Also, a compilation album of band favorites called Stray Arrows: A Collection of Favorites, was released to stores on December 4, 2012.<ref name="Stray Arrows">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Stray Arrows Loudwire">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Stray Arrows Allmusic">Template:Cite web</ref> The compilation includes 11 songs and a previously unreleased track titled "Fizgig".<ref name="Stray Arrows"/><ref name="Stray Arrows Loudwire"/><ref name="Stray Arrows Allmusic"/> The Best Buy version has 15 songs and the track "Fizgig".<ref name="Stray Arrows"/>

La Gárgola, The North Corridor and departure of Dean Bernardini (2013–2019)

Template:Main After wrapping up touring in support of Hats off to the Bull in 2013, Chevelle entered the studio to record their seventh album, re-teaming with Joe Barresi to produce the album.<ref name="banana1015">Template:Cite web</ref> Recording and production finished early in 2014, and the band announced on February 1 that the album, to be released April 1, 2014, would be titled La Gárgola (Spanish for "the gargoyle").<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="blabbermouth123">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lead singer Pete Loeffler describes that the album is about "the dark underbelly of American culture."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first single from the album, titled "Take Out the Gunman", was released on February 3, 2014.<ref name="banana1015"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The other singles from the album are "Hunter Eats Hunter" and "An Island".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="billboard Chevelle Chart History">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The album reached the top of the Rock Album chart in April 2014.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Chevelle was nominated for four awards at the 2014 Loudwire Music Awards.<ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Band">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Album">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Bassist">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Song">Template:Cite web</ref> The categories were, Best Rock Band,<ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Band"/> Best Rock Album (La Gárgola),<ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Album"/> Best Bassist (Dean Bernardini),<ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Bassist"/> and Best Rock Song ("Take Out the Gunman").<ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Song"/>

File:Chevelle Rock am Ring (108).JPG

Chevelle performing at Rock am Ring in 2014

In an interview with 105.7 The Point on May 23, 2015, the band stated that after their last show of their tour in St. Louis, they would focus on writing new material, and that future work would be moving in a heavier-sounding direction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On May 10, 2016, the band announced that their new album would be titled The North Corridor, which was released on July 8, 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first single from the album is "Joyride (Omen)"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which became their fifth song to reach No. 1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.<ref name="billboard Chevelle Chart History"/> The others two singles from the album are "Door to Door Cannibals"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and "Rivers".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2018, Chevelle released a compilation album titled, 12 Bloody Spies, featuring B-sides, covers, rarities, and remixes.<ref name="AMG"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On August 1, 2019, the band launched a craft beer in collaboration with Revolution Brewing.<ref name="Blabbermouth craft beer">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Metal Injection craft beer">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Kerrang craft beer">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The beer the band launched is a German-style Helles Lager and is called La Gárgola named after the band's seventh album.<ref name="Blabbermouth craft beer"/><ref name="Metal Injection craft beer"/><ref name="Kerrang craft beer"/> On September 20, 2019, Bernardini announced his departure from the band.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

NIRATIAS and Bright as Blasphemy (2019–present)

Template:Main In June 2019, the band announced that they entered the studio with long-time producer Joe Barresi.<ref name="Loudwire acoustic">Template:Cite web</ref> Along with the announcement drummer Sam Loeffler said they have been writing material for a year-and-a-half, meaning the process of making this album has taken longer than usual.<ref name="Loudwire acoustic"/> In an interview with KCAL 96.7's RadioActive Mike Z. in September 2019, vocalist Pete Loeffler stated:

On November 8, 2020, the band released an acoustic version of the new song "Endlessly".<ref name="Loudwire acoustic"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band released a music video for their new song, "Self Destructor" on January 8, 2021.<ref name="Niratias">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Niratias2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Niratias3">Template:Cite web</ref> The song is the lead single from their upcoming ninth studio album, NIRATIAS (an acronym for "Nothing is real and this is a simulation")<ref name="Remember When COS">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which was released on March 5, 2021.<ref name="Niratias"/><ref name="Niratias2"/><ref name="Niratias3"/> On January 29, 2021, the band released the second single from the album, "Peach".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 19, 2021, the band released the third single from the album, "Remember When".<ref name="Remember When COS"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 5, 2021, the band released the fourth single from the album, "Endlessly".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 8, 2021, the band announced that ÆGES guitarist and vocalist, Kemble Walters would be their new touring bassist.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In a March 17, 2021, interview with Loudwire, Pete Loeffler states that despite the band selling over six million albums, they haven't gotten any money out of it. The money all went back to Epic. He blames it on signing a bad contract early on in his career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 1, 2021, the band released a music video for the song "Mars Simula".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Self Destructor" was included in the 2021 film, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band toured in September and November 2021 in promotion of the album, calling the tour, "The NIRATIAS Tour".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The November dates were later canceled and the band stated it was due to "changing circumstances beyond our control."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2022, the band was nominated for Rock Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.<ref name="iheart Music Awards1">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="iheart Music Awards2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In April 2022, the band canceled one concert and postponed another due to Sam testing positive for COVID-19.<ref name="Blabbermouth tenth studio album">Template:Cite web</ref> In June 2022, the band announced that they were entering the studio to record their tenth studio album in November or December, with plans of releasing the album in 2023.<ref name="Blabbermouth tenth studio album"/><ref name="Metal Injection tenth studio album">Template:Cite web</ref> It will be their first release without a major record label due to their contract with Epic Records ending.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2024, it was announced that Chevelle had ten songs recorded for the new album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band went on a US tour in September 2023 with Three Days Grace and Loathe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 2024, the band announced that they signed with a new record label, Alchemy Recordings, and that their tenth album was tentatively due to come out in September or October that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, both release dates were missed and the album was delayed to 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 25, 2025, the band announced a new tour, with supporting acts Asking Alexandria and Dead Poet Society. The tour began in August 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following day, they released the single "Rabbit Hole (Cowards, Pt. 1)".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In an interview with Full Metal Jackie on KLOS' "Whiplash", drummer Sam Loeffler stated that their upcoming album was self-produced.<ref name="Full Metal Jackie1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Full Metal Jackie2">Template:Cite web</ref> He described the process as "The hardest thing we've ever done [and]...probably not worth it, but we did it, and we can say we did it."<ref name="Full Metal Jackie1"/><ref name="Full Metal Jackie2"/> Their previous long-time producer, Joe Barresi, encouraged the band to self-produce their next album.<ref name="Full Metal Jackie1"/><ref name="Full Metal Jackie2"/> Barresi produced all of the band's albums since Hats Off to the Bull (2011).<ref name="Full Metal Jackie1"/><ref name="Full Metal Jackie2"/> Loeffler also stated that the song, "Cowards, Pt. 2", could be the album's second single.<ref name="Full Metal Jackie2"/> On May 14, 2025, a music video for "Rabbit Hole (Cowards, Pt. 1)" was released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 28, 2025, the second single, "Jim Jones (Cowards, Pt. 2)" was released, alongside an announcement for the band's tenth studio album, Bright as Blasphemy. The album was released on August 15.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Musical style and influences

Chevelle has been classified as hard rock, alternative metal, alternative rock, post-grunge, nu metal, progressive metal, and indie rock.Template:Refn The band's debut album Point #1 has been described as indie rock.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band's most popular albums, Wonder What's Next and This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In), are both described as nu metal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Wonder What's Next had been described as having a radio-friendly sound.<ref name="Sputnik The North Corridor">Template:Cite web</ref> Albums such as La Gargola and The North Corridor feature a heavier, more riff-oriented sound with lyrical themes influenced by horror.<ref name="Sputnik The North Corridor"/> Their ninth studio album NIRATIAS incorporated elements of progressive rock and art rock along with a science-fiction theme.<ref name="Consequence genres">Template:Cite web</ref>

Their primary musical influences as stated by the band members are Helmet,<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="KNAC interview">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Ultimate Guitar HOTTB rev">Template:Cite web</ref> Tool,<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="KNAC interview"/><ref name="Ultimate Guitar HOTTB rev"/> and The Cure.<ref name="Ultimate Guitar HOTTB rev"/> Chevelle has frequently been compared to Tool throughout its career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pete Loeffler's singing voice was stated to sound similar to that of Tool's Maynard James Keenan,<ref name="renownedforsound La Gárgola"/> and the band's music has been compared to Tool's "soft-loud vocal dynamics."<ref name="AMG"/> According to Lauren Wise of Phoenix New Times, "[Chevelle have] never strayed far from their controlled chaos and somehow gentle rampage or their mix of dark magnetism and gothic pop (think early Tool meets The Cure if you haven't heard radio-dominating hits like "The Red")."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Despite comparisons to Tool, many critics such as Andree Farias and Andy Argyrakis of Christianity Today have stated Chevelle as having a unique sound to their music.<ref name="Christianity today"/><ref name="Live From the Road review"/> 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".<ref name="Christianity today" /> In discussing the band's sound throughout their career, Raul Stanciu of Sputnikmusic stated, "It amazes me how Chevelle manage to maintain such a consistent output...[they're] always tweaking the overall sound in small amounts, so that you’ll be constantly surprised."<ref name="Sputnik The North Corridor"/> Chevelle's music has also been described as "a kind of controlled chaos, a beautiful darkness, a gentle rampage of aural velocity."<ref name="lasvegasmagazine1"/>

Band members

• Lead vocalist and guitarist Pete Loeffler
  Lead vocalist and guitarist Pete Loeffler
• Drummer Sam Loeffler
  Drummer Sam Loeffler
• Former bassist and backing vocalist Dean Bernardini
  Former bassist and backing vocalist Dean Bernardini

Current

• Pete Loeffler – lead vocals, guitar Template:Small; bass Template:Small
• Sam Loeffler – drums Template:Small

Touring

• Geno Lenardo – bass Template:Small
• Kemble Walters – bass, backing vocals Template:Small

Former

• Matt Scott – bass, backing vocals Template:Small
• Joe Loeffler – bass, backing vocals Template:Small
• Dean Bernardini – bass, backing vocals, additional drums Template:Small

Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:60 top:05 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1995 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1995 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1995

Colors =

 id:V      value:red          legend:Lead_vocals,_guitar
 id:BV     value:pink         legend:Backing_vocals
 id:B      value:blue         legend:Bass
 id:D      value:orange       legend:Drums
 id:studio value:black        legend:Studio_album
 id:bars   value:gray(0.95)

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom BackgroundColors = bars:bars ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1995 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1995

LineData =

layer:back
color:studio
at:05/04/1999 
at:10/08/2002
at:09/21/2004
at:04/03/2007
at:08/31/2009
at:12/06/2011
at:04/01/2014
at:07/12/2016
at:03/05/2021
at:08/15/2025

BarData =

bar:Pete     text:"Pete Loeffler"
bar:Scott    text:"Matt Scott"
bar:Joe      text:"Joe Loeffler"
bar:Dean     text:"Dean Bernardini"
bar:Sam      text:"Sam Loeffler"

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Pete        from:01/01/1995 till:end         color:v
bar:Pete        from:09/20/2019 till:end         color:b  width:3
bar:Sam         from:01/01/1995 till:end         color:d 
bar:Scott       from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996  color:b 
bar:Scott       from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996  color:bv width:3
bar:Joe         from:01/01/1996 till:07/05/2005  color:b
bar:Joe         from:01/01/2002 till:07/05/2005  color:bv width:3
bar:Dean        from:08/01/2005 till:09/20/2019  color:b
bar:Dean        from:08/01/2005 till:09/20/2019  color:bv width:3
bar:Dean        from:01/01/2007 till:06/01/2007  color:d  width:7
bar:Dean        from:01/01/2011 till:09/20/2019  color:d  width:7

</timeline>

Discography

Template:Main Studio albums

• Point #1 (1999)
• Wonder What's Next (2002)
• This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) (2004)
• Vena Sera (2007)
• Sci-Fi Crimes (2009)
• Hats Off to the Bull (2011)
• La Gárgola (2014)
• The North Corridor (2016)
• NIRATIAS (2021)
• Bright as Blasphemy (2025)

Awards and nominations

Billboard Music Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Abbr |- |rowspan="3"| 2003 || Chevelle || Modern Rock Artist || Template:Nom | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|<ref name="Billboard Music Awards"/> |- |rowspan="2"| "Send the Pain Below" || Modern Rock Track || Template:Nom |- | Top Rock Song || Template:Nom Template:End

GMA Dove Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Abbr |- |rowspan="2"| 2000 | Point #1 | Hard Music Album | Template:Won | <ref name="DOVE_00"/> |- | "Mia" |rowspan="2"| Hard Music Recorded Song |Template:Won | <ref name="DOVE_00"/> |- | 2001 |"Point #1" |Template:Won | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:End

iHeartRadio Music Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Abbr |- | 2022 || Chevelle || Rock Artist of the Year || Template:Nom | <ref name="iheart Music Awards1"/><ref name="iheart Music Awards2"/> |- Template:End

Loudwire Music Awards

Template:Awards table !Template:Abbr |- | 2012 || Chevelle || Rock Band of the Year || Template:Nom | <ref name="Loudwire Music Awards 2012"/> |- |rowspan="4"| 2014 || Chevelle || Best Rock Band || Template:Nom | <ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Band"/> |- | La Gárgola || Best Rock Album || Template:Nom | <ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Album"/> |- | Dean Bernardini || Best Bassist || Template:Nom | <ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Bassist"/> |- | "Take Out the Gunman" || Best Rock Song|| Template:Nom | <ref name="Loudwire Music Awards Best Rock Song"/> |- Template:End

External links

• Template:Official website
• Template:Discogs artist