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

By Ralph Beauchamp and Kat Gullage

Chevelle brings their hi-energy tour to the Dome in the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford with Tigercub and Return To Dust for direct support.

This piece will be joint venture with one of our best writers, Kat Gullage. We both were at the show and she asked if she could do the review. I told her she could cover both Tigercub and Chevelle because I wanted to do the writeup on Return To Dust. I’ve interviewed the band and their illustrious producer, Jim Kaufman. In addition, I predict that Return To Dust will be a breakout artist in 2025. Their music is that strong.

The evening started with Return To Dust. It was actually the main reason I was there. This is their first extended tour and they literally were playing 10 minutes from my house. The band is comprised 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 critical and fan reviews. Return To Dust’s sound is a hybrid of grungy intonations coupled with ferocious vocals and driving rhythms. 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 each song was a rush of pure adrenaline. Their first song, “About The World”, set the tone immediately. I really think the audience was stunned by the sonic avalanche RTD was hitting them with. Next up was “Black Road” which was the track that turned me into a devotee. It hit hard and everyone was starting to feel the groove. “No Love” followed with its grungy cadence and violent guitar riffs. By the time “Belly Up” flowed through the venue, the crowd was totally into it. They closed out with a hammering rendition of “When You Look at Me”.

All through the set, Matty and Graham seamlessly traded off brazen vocals. Seb’s guitar was monstrous. He was only 15 when he joined the band and now at the old age of 18, he has become a driving force. Hudson’s drums delivered crushing intensity. The entire band cranked with a brutal edginess. Return To Dust is a band to watch. They will sneak up on you and turn you into a massive RTD junkie. Mark my words.

Tigercub was a fitting segue to Chevelle. Formed in Brighton, UK in 2011, they’re also a three piece unit with Jamie Stephen Hall (Vocals/Guitar), Jimi Wheelwright (Bass) and James
Allix (Drums). Their sound floats somewhere between punk, grunge and garage band. They have three studio albums, two EPs and several singles. Cuts from their 2023 LP, The Perfume of Decay, made up more than half of their nine song set. “Show Me My Maker”, “Swoon” and “You’re My Dopamine” were the opening tracks. Jamie addressed the crowd “We are Tigercub from England. Connecticut, how ya doin?” The fans, who were 99% there for Chevelle, did show some +appreciation.

Singles “Control” and “Beauty” were on deck before Jamie spoke again. “How’s the sound?” and was met with a decent crowd response. My reaction was that Jamie is the frontman for a reason, Jimi really loves what he does and James’ drums sounded St. Angerish in that venue. Three more from Perfume rounded out the set with “Play My Favourite Song”, and title track “The Perfume Of Decay”. Jamie again, “Who’s ‘ere for Chevelle?” The crowd cheered for the headliners. The band gives a major shout out to their crew “This is all on them!” They wrap it up with “Shadowgraph”.

I had worked my way up to about seventh row by then in the standing room only venue. There were a few Tigercub fans peppered in the audience up there, I saw one girl who knew the words to their songs and was all fired up. The band has some cool merch but only a couple of items were offered at this show. They do not sell actual or plushy tiger cubs. Check out their music and wares on the Tigercub website: https://tigercub.os.fan

I’ve always been a fan of the band Chevelle and their brand of high-brow metal. The trio, who chose their name based on a muscle car produced by Chevrolet from 1964-1977, formed in Illinois in 1995. Chevelle has played hard-to-get with me. The first three times I was supposed to see them, they cancelled. Once in support of Linkin Park, once at a radio station festival and once at a club – back in 2007 when their equipment trailer got stolen at a previous gig. I did finally get to see them, and I’ve reviewed them before, but this was my first time experiencing them as the 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 North Corridor kicked it off with “Young Wicked” quickly followed by “Self Destructor” from NIRATIAS (Nothing Is Real and This is a Simulation). There was an early feedback issue that was promptly corrected. From then on the
sound quality and performance was exemplary. A deeper cut from Sci-Fi Crimes, “Roswell’s Spell” was presented flawlessly and led to the hit “Face To The Floor” off Hats Off To The Bull and “An Island” from La Gargola (The Gargoyle).

Pete Loeffler, (Lead Vocals/Guitar), addressed the crowd, “How ya doin’ Connect-i-cut?” (He enunciated it with his midwestern accent) “How many are from Wallingford?” He was answered by crickets. “I’ll stick with Connect-i-cut”. Another cut from North, “Door to Door Cannibals” was followed by “Family System” off Wonder What’s Next. I was surprised they chose this non-hit, just because it seems like the vocals could be taxing night after night. It did not affect Pete’s performance in the slightest. It was time for another hit, Sci-Fi’s “Jars”.

I was still holding my own around seventh row from the stage when an over zealous drunk fan started knocking into people to instigate a mosh pit. The people she pushed got annoyed and pushed her back, right into me. She was impressively powerful and knocked me back about twelve fuckin rows before I could escape. Thankfully I was able to reclaim my spot and no one fell or got hurt. I always see action at Chevelle, I got kicked in the head last time, when they opened for Three Days Grace in Boston. You can find that review here at AMP (see related below).

A mosh pit did ensue with their hit “The Clincher” from This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In). The mosh pit kept going and growing for the rest of the gig. Pete remarked “It’s hot in here!” It was a very steamy night. He threw out a water bottle. His brother, Sam Loeffler (Drums), stood up with his own beverage to offer to the crowd. He acted like no one wanted it before tossing it to a fan.

Since Chevelle is a trio of musicians, Sam’s kit was angled on the left side, Pete was front and center, and Kemble Walters (Bass/Backing Vocals), was on the right. Kemble is the fourth bass player for Chevelle and this was the second time I saw him live. He’s a perfect fit, yet he’s still listed as a “touring musician”. I wonder if the Loeffler brothers will finally propose to him and ask him to be an official band member?

Title track “Hats Off To The Bull” (HOTTB on the official setlist) was on deck. Pete remarked “Sexy crowd tonight!” (and we so were) before the trio served up “Piistol Star (Gravity Heals)” from NIRATIAS. Before feeding us two from Wonder, Pete switched axes, chugged water and chatted with Sam for a few seconds. Then he addressed the fans, “Connect-i-cut, Lemme see your hands” (they all go up) “Beautiful.” “It’s been a long road, huh? You guys remember 2002? Anybody? Some of you weren’t even born yet. This song came out
that year, this is called “The Red”, help me sing it.” And we one hundred percent did.

It was just us and Pete and his guitar until the second chorus. It was intimate and wonderful. I was at fourth row now so I could actually see the band totally getting off on the participation. Mid-song Pete yelled “You’re beautiful, keep doin it!” He held the last word out on us, until we displayed the proper amount of hysteria, “Through…..” Pete then gave us accolades “Goddamn, nice job “Connect-i-cut.” Pretty sure he meant it.

They displayed consummate skill with “Comfortable Liar”. I literally came, no fuckin joke. And I’m pretty sure someone else pissed themselves during “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)” from Thinking. I didn’t see it but I damn sure smelled it. These guys were that good on that night. Being so close to the stage, I was on the periphery of the mosh pit and would occasionally get pushed around and into other people. Guy next to me started elbowing me. I explained to him “It’s not me, I’m taking hits from the pit.” I was psyched to hear Wonder’s “Forfeit” live and the crowd was bouncing all over the place. After that, elbow guy informed me “It is you lady.”

The pleasurable and fulfilling set wrapped with fan favorite “I Get It” off of Vena Sera and another NIRATIAS cut, “Mars Simula”. The band thanked the crowd, threw out some picks (I got one!) and exited.

Chevelle is expected to release a new album in October, but no other info has been provided. We haven’t seen cover art, title, number of tracks, track list, or even a single to nosh on. Will they extend the tour after the LP drops? Keep an eye and ear out for that. If you’re reading this you’re a Chevelle fan. I’ve never seen a bad live performance from them so catch em when they drive through your town. If they’re the headliner, you might want to pack a moist towelette.

Thanks for supporting live music rockers and readers!

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