Chevelle

Point #1 (Squint)
by Scott Hefflon

The windy city unleashed a storm when it birthed the Loeffler brothers (Pete, Sam, and Joe). Point #1, the threesome’s debut, clocks in at over 40 minutes, ranges from Helmet-inspired start/stop/stutter guitar chomps to Tool-inspired growl-to-a-wail vocals, and was produced by Steve Albini (Nirvana, Bush, etc.). As if you need to know more, Chevelle have the uncanny ability to turn a simple, stomping riff into the foundation of a heavy, thoughtful anthem, filled with resentment, disillusion, and the kind of realism you think about while rocking back and forth, staring at a blank wall, mouthing the lyrics to yourself, trying desperately not to let the outside world into your consciousness to take yet another whack at you.

Albini’s dry, yet huge production places Chevelle’s gut-ripping honesty in a warehouse or airplane hanger, the dim lights barely reaching the lines etched in the singer’s contorted face or the sweat flying from the ever-pounding bassist and drummer. Birds flutter in the rafters as the band lets loose a barrage of twentysomething angst, then perch cautiously as the band settles into a soft transition – the light drumming, gentle strums, and barely uttered vocals giving the false impression of momentary safety. The obvious single is “Mia,” showing the more-singable side of Chevelle. With lines like “I’m made of peanuts, not of shells,” you know you’re not dealing with yet another young band mouthing empty sentiments of youth rebellion. These guys have the dripping meat hook of pure rock.
(3319 West End #200 Nashville, TN 37202)