Chevelle
Three brothers from Chicago start a group and before long are playing parties, outdoor events and clubs, even though the bass player is only fourteen. They land a record deal, get a big name producer, Steve Albini, for their debut and take their act national. Sounds like the Hanson story but it's actually Chevelle.
Pete (guitar/vocals), Joe (bass) and Sam (drums) Loeffler formed Chevelle in '95 plying a sound that contained soft passages but relied on a thunderous raw Metal guitar to drive the songs home.
"Point #1" with the potent title track was released in '99. Three years later, "Wonder What's Next" answered its own question.
As a reflection of Chevelle's extensive touring "Live From The Road" arrived in '03. That was followed by their third full-length studio effort, "This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)." Chevelle hit the road again, this time opening for Disturbed. They showed up on Disturbed's "Music As A Weapon II" CD/DVD." Recorded on the Chicago stop, the '04 release also featured songs from fellow touring partner, Taproot.
After Chevelle headlined the SnoCore 2005 Tour there was the announcement that Joe would not be on the summer tour because he wanted to take "a break to be home with family." Once Joe announced he was looking for another gig, the band admitted that he had been sacked due to "irreconcilable differences." Chevelle took the opportunity to add that they planned to continue. And continue they did. Chevelle, along with Trapt, toured the U.S. supporting Nickelback. And keeping it in the family, Chevelle toured with bassist Dean Bernardini, Pete and Sam's brother-in-law.
Chevelle's '07 effort, "Vena Sera" with "Well Enough Alone," landed in April. "We did take some risks on (the album), more so than we have in the past," said Pete. "(But) it has those big, chorus-y hooks which have been a staple in what we do for so long now." Sam added, "I can say that I love these songs . . . and that's good because I have to play them for a long time."
So what does "Vena Sera" mean? "It's Latin and it's two words that sort of don't necessarily go together, but basically it means 'vein liquid,'" explained Sam. "It sounds good and it's certainly a little bit morbid, and I like that a lot."
To help promote the album, Chevelle teamed up with renowned horror-flick director Wes Craven for a contest in which fans created their own video for "Well Enough Alone."
Chevelle's major label debut "Point #1" features "Prove To You" and ranges from sensitive ballads to full-on Metal - a little something for everyone. "Wonder What's Next" rolls down the same road but with a more confident approach. The album's three best Rockers, the title track, "Family System" and "Comfortable Liar" have individual characteristics.
"Wonder What's Next" features intense guitars and throat ripping vocals while "Family System" leans on a straight-ahead approach with desperate half-sung vocals. "Comfortable Liar" is more brooding. It's a good mix. The rough textured ballad "The Red" and "Don't Fake This" are other highpoints. "Don't Fake This" starts slow before giving way to good old slashing distorted Tool-ish guitar. Yeah.
"This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)" is another dense guitar heavy album with dark, brooding themes and the plodding rhythmic punch to match. The epic vocals are meant to convey power and force. And for the most part they do. "Still Running" stands out and so does, oddly enough, the acoustic ballad "Panic Prone."
"Vena Sera" has a greater emphasis on melody, tighter song structure - more economical - and tight riffs. The single, "Well Enough Alone" is accessible rage while "Midnight To Midnight" has a relentless, driving chorus. "Antisaint," with processed vocals, "Straight Jacket Fashion," I Get It" and "Saturdays" nail it.