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Chevelle isn't your typical alternative rock/metal band. Faster than you can say Jonas Brothers, the trio that debuted in 1999 with “Point #1” and features Pete Loeffler on vocals and guitar and brother Sam Loeffler on drums parted ways with brother and bass player Joe Loeffler shortly after the release of 2004's This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In).

Enter brother-in-law Dean Bernardini, and Chevelle's career has never been better. Well, except for that time last spring when the band's equipment trailer got stolen from its Dallas hotel.

Chevelle's hard-hitting arsenal also includes the platinum CD Wonder What's Next and 2007's Vena Sera, as well as “The Clincher,” a crunching single that appeared on Madden NFL 2005.
The band is deviating from its current tour with Finger Eleven to play the 2008 Rockfest on Friday, April 25, at Sunset Station.

Sam Loeffler phoned in from Flint, Mich., to discuss all things Chevelle with 210SA.

You have a sizable following in San Antonio. For a band from Grayslake, Ill., what do you attribute that to?

We're an old-school rock band. Either people will get it or they don't, and San Antonio has always been amazing for us. We've been there a lot of times. They like their music down there.
 
How are things working out with your brother-in-law having replaced your brother on bass after the previous record?

(Joe) was very tired of touring and hated to travel. Part of him didn't want to go, and part of him did. We weren't willing to change the dynamic of the band to tailor to his lifestyle. It's not like we hung out much, anyway. Dean has always been a friend, and we're having a great time.

Were you able to get back any of the equipment from the robbery?

It was one of the worst things I've ever gone through. I've tried to block it out mostly in my head. We got about half of it back a few months later, but by that time, we'd bought most of it new again.

Your music can be dark, anger-releasing and moody (as evidenced by a small mosh pit that escalated into a fight last year at Sunset during the band's most popular, but mostly melodic, song “Send the Pain Below”). It has also shown tendencies of being upbeat and therapeutic. How does the band manage to strike such a chord that connects with fans?

Yeah, we have a lot of fights break out at our shows. “Send the Pain,” that's about taking negativity in your life and turning it into something positive. But (the contrasting styles) is not what we set out to do. We work on what we like and hope it connects with the fans.

Jay Nanda | 210SA contributor