CHEVELLE / TIGERCUB / RETURN TO DUST – LIVE AT THE DOM

CHEVELLE / TIGERCUB / RETURN TO DUST – LIVE AT THE DOM

By Ralph Beauchamp and Kat Gullage

Chevelle brings their high-energy Dome tour to the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford with Tigercub and Back to dust for immediate support.

This piece will be a joint venture with one of our best writers, Kat Gullage. We were both at the show and he asked if he could do the review. I told her she could also cover Tigercub and Chevelle because I wanted to record Return To Dust. I have interviewed the band and their famous producer, Jim Kaufman. Also, I predict that Return To Dust will be an artist in 2025. Their music is so powerful.

The night started with Return To Dust. It was actually the main reason I was there. This is their first extended tour and they were playing literally 10 minutes from my house. The band consists of Matty Bielawski (Guitar/Vocals), Graham Stanush (Bass/Vocals), Sebastian Gonzalez (Lead Guitar) and London Hudson (Drums). They just released their self-titled debut album to rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Return To Dust's sound is a hybrid of grungy tones combined with wild vocals and driving beats. Their music is like sitting in the middle of an open field while a hurricane hits. Both powerful and deadly.

Return To Dust only played a five song set, but every song was a blast of pure adrenaline. Their first song, 'About The World', immediately set the tone. I really think the audience was blown away by the avalanche of sound the RTD hit them with. This was followed by “Black Road” which was the track that made me a devotee. It hit hard and everyone was starting to feel the groove. It was followed by “No Love” with its grungy rhythm and violent guitar riffs. By the time “Belly Up” rolled through the venue, the crowd had gone wild. They closed with a rendition of 'When You Look at Me'.

Throughout the set, Matty and Graham seamlessly trade cheeky vocals. Seb's guitar was monstrous. He was only 15 years old when he joined the band and now at 18 years old he has become a driving force. Hudson's drums delivered overwhelming volume. The entire complex whirled in a violent rage. Return To Dust is a band to watch. They will sneak up on you and turn you into a massive ethnophobe. Mark my words.

Tigercub was a proper segue Chevelle. Formed in Brighton, UK in 2011, they are also a three-piece with Jamie Stephen Hall (vocals/guitar), Jimi Wheelwright (bass) and James.
Alix (Drums). Their sound floats somewhere between punk, grunge and garage band. They have three studio albums, two EPs and several singles. Cuts from the 2023 LP, The scent of decay, made up more than half of their nine songs. “Show Me My Maker”, “Swoon” and “You're My Dopamine” were the opening tracks. Jamie addressed the crowd: “We're Tigercub from England. Connecticut, how are you doing?' The fans, who were 99% there for Chevelleshowed some +appreciation.

Singles “Control” and “Beauty” were on deck before Jamie spoke again. “How's the sound?” and was met with a decent response from the crowd. My reaction was that Jamie is the frontman for a reason, Jimi really loves what he does and James' drums sounded St. Angerish in this space. Another three of Perfume finished the set with “Play My Favorite Song” and the title track “The Perfume Of Decay”. Jamie again, “Who's here for Chevelle?” The crowd cheered for the headliners. The band shouts to their crew “It's all on them!” They wrap it up with “Shadowgraph”.

I had made it to the seventh row, standing room only by then. There were a few Tigercub fans in the audience up there, I saw a girl who knew the words to their songs and got excited. The band has some nice merchandise, but only a few items were offered at this show. They don't sell real or stuffed tigers. Check out their music and merchandise on the Tigercub website:

I've always been a fan of the band Chevelle and their trademark high-brow metal. The trio, which chose its name after a muscle car produced by Chevrolet from 1964-1977, formed in Illinois in 1995. Chevelle play hard with me The first three times I was supposed to see them, they canceled. Once in support of Linkin Park, once at a radio station festival and once at a club – in 2007 when their equipment trailer was stolen at a previous gig. I finally got to see them, and I've reviewed them before, but this was my first time experiencing them as a headliner.

They dipped into eight of their nine studio albums for a healthy mix of hits and deep cuts in their eighteen song set. A visit to The Northern Corridor kicked it off with “Young Wicked” which was quickly followed by “Self Destructor” from NIRATIAS (Nothing is real and this is a simulation). There was an early issue with comments that was fixed immediately. From there on
the sound quality and performance was exemplary. A deeper cut from Science fiction crimes“Roswell's Spell” performed flawlessly and led to the hit “Face To The Floor” off Hats off to Taurus and “An Island” by La Gargola (The Gargoyle).

Pete Loeffler, (Lead Vocals/Guitar), addressing the crowd, “How do you do Connect-i-cut?” (He said it in his midwestern accent) “How many are from Wallingford?” The crickets answered him. “I'll stick with Connect-i-cut.” Another cut from North“Door to Door Cannibals” followed “Family System” off You wonder what's next. I was surprised they chose this no-hit, if only because it seems the vocals could strain night after night. It didn't affect Pete's performance in the slightest. It was time for another hit, Sci-Fi“Vases”.

I was still holding mine around the seventh row from the stage when an overly drunk fan started punching people to incite a mosh pit. The people she was pushing got annoyed and pushed her back, right into me. She was impressively strong and knocked me back about a dozen fucking rows before I could get away. Fortunately I was able to regain my position and no one fell or was injured. I always see action on Chevelle, kicked me in the head last time they opened for Three Days Grace in Boston. You can find this review here on AMP (see related below).

A mosh pit ensued with their hit “The Clincher” from This type of thinking (could make us). The mosh pit continued to grow for the rest of the concert. Pete remarked “It's hot in here!” It was a very rainy night. He threw out a bottle of water. His brother, Sam Loeffler (Drums), got up with his own drink to offer to the crowd. He acted like no one wanted it before throwing it at a fan.

From Chevelle they are a trio of musicians, Sam's kit was cornered on the left side, Pete was front and center and Kemble Walters (Bass/Backing Vocals) was on the right. Kemble is his fourth bass player Chevelle and this was my second time seeing him live. Fits perfectly, yet still listed as a “touring musician”. I wonder if the Loeffler brothers will eventually propose and ask him to become an official member of the band?

The title track “Hats Off To The Bull” (HOTTB on the official setlist) was on deck. Pete remarked “Sexy crowd tonight!” (and we were) before the trio served up “Piistol Star (Gravity Heals)” from NIRATIAS. Before feeding us two of MiraclePete switched axes, got water and talked to Sam for a few seconds. He then addressed the fans, “Connect-i-cut, Lemme see your hands” (everyone go up) “Beautiful.” “It's been a long road, huh? Do you guys remember 2002? Anyone? Some of you are not yet born. This song is out
that year, it's called 'The Red,' help me sing it.” And we did it one hundred percent.

It was just us and Pete and his guitar until the second chorus. It was intimate and wonderful. I was in the fourth row now, so I could see the band getting completely out of the running. Pete in the middle of the song shouted “You're beautiful, keep doing it!” He kept the last word from us, until we showed just the right amount of hysteria, “Through….” Then Pete gave us the compliments of “My God, nice job “Connect-i-cut.” He sure meant it.

They showed impeccable skill with “Comfortable Liar”. I literally came, no joke. And I'm sure someone else pissed themselves during “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)” by Thought. I didn't see it but I sure smelled it. These guys were so good that night. Being so close to the stage, I was on the periphery of the mosh pit and was occasionally pushed around and into other people. The guy next to me started elbowing me. I explained to him “It's not me, I'm taking hits from the pit”. I was amused to hear it Miracle“Forfeit” live and the crowd was bouncing all over the place. After that, the guy with the elbow informed me “It's you ma'am”.

The upbeat and hearty set wrapped up with the fan favorite 'I Get It' Vena Sera and another one NIRATIAS cut, “Mars Simula.” The band thanked the crowd, threw out a few picks (I got one!) and headed out.

Chevelle is expected to release a new album in October, but no other information has been released. We haven't seen a cover, title, track number, tracklist, or even a single to listen to. Will they extend the tour after the LP drops? Watch out and listen to this. If you are reading this you are a Chevelle fan. I've never seen a bad live show from them, so catch them when they roll through your city. If it's the headlines, you might want to pack a wet towel.

Thanks for supporting rockers and live music readers!

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