Pete Loeffler

Peter Loeffler
Loeffler performing in 2014
Born (1976-10-19) October 19, 1976 (age 48)[1]
Grayslake, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Years active1995-present
Spouse
Renate Loeffler
​
(m. 2009)​
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • piano
Member ofChevelle

Peter Loeffler (born October 19, 1976) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter of the rock band Chevelle alongside his brother, drummer Sam Loeffler, who both of them are the only continuous original members of the band.

Pete, Sam, and bassist Joe Loeffler formed Chevelle in 1995. Joe left the band in 2005, later being replaced with their brother-in-law Dean Bernardini.

As of February 2024, Chevelle has released nine studio albums.

Early life

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Loeffler started off in music when he started taking piano lessons in his family at seven years old.[2]

Career

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Pete and his two brothers formed Chevelle in 1995.[3][4] The band's name came from the band members' passion for fast cars.[5] It was also a car their father liked, the Chevrolet Chevelle.[6] They released their first album, Point #1, in 1999.[7][8] They later signed a 20-year contract with Epic Records. Since then, they have released nine studio albums under Epic.[9] On October 8, 2012, while performing a show in Tucson, Arizona, Loeffler fell off the stage, which injured his knee and caused swelling. The show continued after a brief intermission and Pete later went to the hospital where it was revealed that he did not break any bones.[10] In a March 17, 2021, interview with Loudwire, Loeffler stated 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.[11][12] Their tenth album, which is expected to release in late 2024, will not be under the record label.[13][14]

Equipment

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From the start of his career to mid-2014, Loeffler used PRS brand guitars, two of which were custom-built for him. He also uses two PRS Custom 22s, one red (which can be seen in the music video for "Send the Pain below") and one white custom 24 (his main live guitar), as well as 2 Custom 24 baritones (one of which is a baritone with red "Xs" on the neck as inlays; the other is gold-top). Pete also owns Fender Stratocaster Sub-Sonic Baritones, but two were stolen along with the rest of the band's gear on May 9, 2007. In earlier live sets, (prior to the band's EP) Pete had played a blue Ibanez RG among other guitars. Pete also reportedly used a Gibson Les Paul for some parts on the 2011 album Hats off to the Bull. As of recently, Loeffler has switched and favored Fender guitars, taking on the road one of his Sub-sonic Stratocasters, as well as a modified Jim Root Stratocaster.[15]

As of 2014, his pedalboard currently consists of these effect pedals:[15]

Style

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Pete Loeffler's vocal style has been compared to Maynard James Keenan of Tool.[16] In an interview with Ultimate Guitar about their fourth studio album, Vena Sera, Loeffler talked about his vocal style:

"This album does have [screamed vocals] as well. I think I focus on a little bit more of the singing. Typically the screaming should be played at certain key points in the song. You know, we're not a screamo band. We're not a metal band. It shouldn't be the focus. It should be the release. I think I just tried to kind of put it where it's needed and not be over-excessive with it."[17]

The band's ninth studio album, NIRATIAS, balanced the band's melodic and aggressive style.[2] Loeffler compared it to the band's more melodic albums like Hats Off to the Bull and Wonder What's Next, as opposed to the heavier sound of The North Corridor.[2]

Discography

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Main article: Chevelle discography

Studio albums

References

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  1. ^ Porche, Brent (October 19, 2023). "Celebrating Pete Loeffler of Chevelle on His Birthday". WMMR. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Childers, Chad (March 8, 2021). "Chevelle's Pete Loeffler: I Don't Want to Limit Myself to Heavy Rock Anymore – Interview". Loudwire. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Frey, Tracy. "Chevelle Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  4. ^ Style, Justin (October 30, 2003). "Chevelle: The Chicago hard rock trio breaking big in the mainstream". Crossrhythms.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Sanders, Mike (April 26, 2012). "Chevelle Frontman Pete Loeffler Dishes on Hot Rods, 'Hats Off to the Bull' + More". Loudwire. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Chevelle". Christian Music. Archived from the original on August 4, 2002. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  7. ^ Olson, Chad (July–August 1999). "Album Reviews: Chevelle Point #1". HM (78). ISSN 1066-6923.
  8. ^ DiBase, John (September 11, 1999). "Chevelle, "Point #1" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  9. ^ "Chevelle Says They "Haven't Made Any Money" Off Selling Six Million Records". Metal Injection. March 17, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Childers, Chad (October 10, 2012). "Chevelle Frontman Pete Loeffler Injures Knee in Frightening Stage Fall". Loudwire. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (March 17, 2021). "Singer Pete Loeffler Says Chevelle "Haven't Made Any Money" From Six Million Albums Sold". Consequence. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  12. ^ DiVita, Joe (March 17, 2021). "Chevelle Haven't Made 'Any Money' From Selling 6 Million Albums". Loudwire. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "Chevelle Have A "Whole Bunch Of Music Written" As The Band Move On From Epic Records". The PRP. October 12, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  14. ^ "Chevelle Has Seven Songs Written For Next Studio Album". Blabbermouth.net. October 28, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Bohlinger, John (April 30, 2014). "Rig Rundown: Chevelle". Premier Guitar. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  16. ^ "Album Review: Chevelle – La Gárgola". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  17. ^ "Pete Loeffler Of Chevelle: 'It Was Hard With 3 Brothers'". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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