Chevelle

Chevelle formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois, with brothers Pete Loeffler (lead vocals, guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums and percussion). Bassist Matt Scott was part of the original lineup, replaced by their younger brother Joe Loeffler in 1996. The band’s name, Chevelle, was inspired by their shared passion for cars, specifically the Chevrolet Chevelle, a favorite of their father. Self-taught musicians, they began playing small concerts in and around Chicago, with Joe being only 14 years old at the time. Their early efforts included a seven-track demo, “The Blue Album,” released in 1998, leading to a signing with Squint Entertainment.

The band’s debut album, “Point #1,” was released in 1999 and featured singles “Point #1” and “Mia,” which received GMA Dove Awards. After Squint Entertainment faced legal troubles, Chevelle signed with Epic Records in 2002. Their second album, “Wonder What’s Next” (2002), propelled them into the mainstream with the single “The Red,” reaching No. 3 on the Mainstream Rock charts. “Send the Pain Below” subsequently hit No. 1 on both Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts. This album was certified double platinum by the RIAA in 2003, selling over one million copies in the U.S. alone. In 2003, Chevelle performed at Ozzfest and released their first live album, “Live from the Road,” and a DVD, “Live from the Norva.”

In 2004, they released “This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In),” which debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. This period saw a lineup change with Joe Loeffler’s departure, and Dean Bernardini, the Loeffler brothers’ brother-in-law, joined as bassist in 2005. Bernardini remained with the band for 14 years, contributing to several albums including “Vena Sera” (2007) and “The North Corridor” (2016). Their work has continued with albums like “NIRATIAS” (2021) and the upcoming “Bright as Blasphemy” (2025), consistently demonstrating their hard rock and alternative metal sound marked by Pete Loeffler’s distinctive vocals.