Chevy Metal 2024 - Concert Photos & Review - Denver, Colorado

Chevy Metal and Valdez at Ophelia’s Denver

Posted on April 17, 2024
by Aimee

If you know who Chevy Metal is, you are just as shocked as I was that they played an intimate venue like Ophelia’s in Denver.

If you have never heard of them, let me enlighten you! Chevy Metal is a 70s dirt rock band known for its energetic performances and classic covers. The band was formed in in the early 2000s by Taylor Hawkins (yes, that Taylor Hawkins), along with Wiley Hodgden and Achim Dangerfield. Lineup changes included fellow Foo Fighters bandmate Chris Shiflett and guitarist Mick Murphy. Brent Woods replaced them on guitar and that was the lineup until Taylor’s death. I was lucky to see Chevy Metal twice before – once at Riot Fest here in Denver and once for the pre-opening celebration for Mission Ballroom.

See what I mean? A huge deal.

And with Taylor gone, the future of the band was uncertain, until Taylor’s 16 year old son Shane stepped into the picture. After playing the Taylor tributes, Shane asked for Chevy Metal to do some shows – and given his high school duties – we were lucky to have a few here in Colorado recently.

Opener Valdez, who is Nate Valdez – also from the legendary Denver rock band In The Whale – got the crowd going in the packed venue. Nate recently announced he is putting out three albums this year with Valdez and other groups, so hopefully we will see lots more of his live shows too.

As Chevy Metal took over, you could sense a feeling of freedom and fun – truly what Chevy Metal was always about. At some point, Wiley told Shane that the band would eventually be his to do with what he wanted – watching this kid on drums, it’s clear he is going to be drum royalty just like his dad. And like Chevy Metal’s description, the songs ran the gamut of dirty rock and, frankly, at some point I lost my voice from screaming along.

We all knew Taylor’s legacy was in good hands, and I am sure he’s proud that his family and friends are carrying on for us fans.

Next up Chevy Metal will be playing a Bottlerock after party (it’s way sold out) and the Beachlife Festival in Redondo Beach. Keep an eye out, because as they did with us in Denver, they show up in surprising places!