Dean Bernardini

Last updated

Dean Bernardini
14-06-09 RiP Chevelle Dean Bernardini 2.JPG
Bernardini performing in 2014
Background information
Born (1973-12-27) December 27, 1973 (age 50)
Deerfield, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)Bass, vocals
Years active2005–2019
Formerly of Chevelle

Dean Bernardini (born December 27, 1973) is an American musician, best known as the former bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the rock band Chevelle. [1] He joined the band in 2005 after the departure of Joe Loeffler, who had been a member of the group since 1995. Bernardini is also a noted visual artist and woodworker; the cover of the 2009 album Sci-Fi Crimes was an original 24x48 oil on canvas painting by Bernardini, [2] and he also supplied an original oil on canvas painting for the band's 2012 album Stray Arrows: A Collection of Favorites . [3]

Contents

History

Before Chevelle, Bernardini played drums in the Chicago band Liftpoint. Bernardini taught himself to play bass by listening to and attempting to copy bass lines on albums. The first album he played to was Muse's Absolution . [4] When Joe Loeffler left Chevelle, Bernardini, who is married to Pete, Joe, and Sam Loeffler's sister, replaced him. [5]

In May 2006, Bernardini injured his left hand forcing the band to pull out of the first eight concert dates (from June 30 to July 26) with Nickelback and Hoobastank. [6] In September 2019, Bernardini announced he would take a hiatus from Chevelle to focus on his family and personal projects. [7]

Equipment

In a feature in Bass Player , Bernardini stated that he uses Gibson Thunderbird and Ibanez BTB bass guitars with Mesa Boogie Big Block 750 amplifiers and Mesa 8x10 cabinets for both clean and distorted tones. [4] He is also a featured artist by both Gibson Guitars [8] and Ibanez Guitars. [3]

The Thunderbirds Bernardini plays are custom built by Ryan Loux of Loux Custom Instruments. [9] One is black with a 35 in (890 mm) scale and Chevelle logo inlays, and another is a white bass that features a custom inlaid fretboard inspired by a Picasso painting, and featuring Nordstrand pickups and an extended 35.375 in (898.5 mm) scale length. [9] The Ibanez BTB570s are modified by Bernardini by refinishing and installing hand-made pickguards and Bartonlini pickups. [9]

He uses custom gauge (65-85-115-130) GHS strings. [10]

Discography

with Chevelle

Related Research Articles

Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass-produce the seven-string guitar and eight-string guitar. Ibanez manufactures effects, accessories, amps, and instruments in Japan, China, Indonesia, and the United States. As of 2017 they marketed nearly 165 models of bass guitar, 130 acoustic guitars, and more than 300 electric guitars. After Gibson and Fender, Ibanez is considered the third biggest guitar brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevelle (band)</span> American rock band

Chevelle is an American rock band formed in Grayslake, Illinois, in 1995. The band was originally composed of two brothers, Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler, along with Matt Scott. Scott was replaced by Sam and Pete's brother, Joe Loeffler, in 1996. When Joe left the band in 2005, Geno Lenardo subbed in as the touring bassist until he was replaced by Pete and Sam's brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini. Bernardini departed from the band in 2019, and in 2021, Kemble Walters joined the band as a touring bassist.

<i>This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)</i> 2004 studio album by Chevelle

This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) is the third studio album by American rock band Chevelle. Debuting at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 based on nearly 90,000 copies sold in its first week, it charted higher than its predecessor, Wonder What's Next but did not exceed its debut position. The album did not manage to match its predecessor's commercial success, but was certified platinum. This Type of Thinking follows generally the same heavy style as Wonder What's Next with popular singles like "Vitamin R" and "The Clincher". It would be the first of two records produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette. This was also the final album featuring bassist Joe Loeffler, who departed from the band in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson EDS-1275</span> Model of guitar

The Gibson EDS-1275 is a double neck Gibson electric guitar introduced in 1963 and still in production. Popularized and raised to iconic status by musicians such as John McLaughlin and Jimmy Page, it was called "the coolest guitar in rock".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baritone guitar</span> Variation on the standard guitar

The baritone guitar is a guitar with a longer scale length, typically a larger body, and heavier internal bracing, so it can be tuned to a lower pitch. Gretsch, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, ESP Guitars, PRS Guitars, Music Man, Danelectro, Schecter, Burns London and many other companies have produced electric baritone guitars since the 1960s, although always in small numbers due to low popularity. Tacoma, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Martin, Alvarez Guitars and others have made acoustic baritone guitars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Loeffler</span> Musical artist

Peter Loeffler 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson Explorer</span> Electric guitar model by Gibson Brands, Inc

The Gibson Explorer is a type of electric guitar model by Gibson guitars, released in 1958. The Explorer offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its siblings: the Flying V, which was released the same year, and the Moderne, which was designed in 1957 but not released until 1982. The Explorer was the final development of a prototype design that, years later, Gibson marketed under the name Futura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibson Thunderbird</span> Electric bass guitar

The Gibson Thunderbird is an electric bass guitar made by Gibson and Epiphone.

<i>Vena Sera</i> 2007 studio album by Chevelle

Vena Sera is the fourth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on April 3, 2007, through Epic Records. Many of the tracks on this album were based on material from unreleased songs the band had previously recorded. The term "Vena Sera" is ungrammatical Latin for "vein liquids".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Well Enough Alone</span> 2007 single by Chevelle

"Well Enough Alone" is a song by American rock band Chevelle. It is the first single from the album Vena Sera and was released to radio the week of February 13, 2007. According to lead singer Pete Loeffler, "Well Enough Alone" was an unreleased song that had been recorded prior to the release of their third album This Type of Thinking , before it was refined for Vena Sera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevelle discography</span>

The American rock band Chevelle has released nine studio albums, two compilation albums, three live albums, two video albums, 28 singles, 19 music videos, and five promotional singles. The band was originally formed in 1995 by two brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler, along with Matt Scott. Shortly after forming, Scott was replaced by Sam and Pete's brother, Joe Loeffler in 1996. Joe left the band in 2005 and Geno Lenardo joined as the touring bassist until he was replaced by Pete and Sam's brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini. Bernardini later left the band in 2019.

<i>Sci-Fi Crimes</i> 2009 studio album by Chevelle

Sci-Fi Crimes is the fifth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on August 31, 2009 through Epic Records.

<i>Hats Off to the Bull</i> 2011 studio album by Chevelle

Hats Off to the Bull is the sixth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on December 6, 2011.

<i>Stray Arrows: A Collection of Favorites</i> 2012 compilation album by Chevelle

Stray Arrows: A Collection of Favorites is the first compilation album by American rock band Chevelle, released on December 4, 2012. It includes remastered versions of several hit songs, along with a previously unreleased B-side entitled "Fizgig." The songs on the standard track listing all cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, with "Send the Pain Below", "Vitamin R ", "Face to the Floor" and "Hats Off to the Bull" all reaching the No. 1 spot.

<i>La Gárgola</i> 2014 studio album by Chevelle

La Gárgola is the seventh studio album by American rock band Chevelle. It was released on April 1, 2014 in the US and on June 9, 2014 in the UK.

<i>The North Corridor</i> 2016 studio album by Chevelle

The North Corridor is the eighth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on July 8, 2016.

<i>12 Bloody Spies</i> 2018 compilation album by Chevelle

12 Bloody Spies is the second compilation album by American rock band Chevelle. The album was released on October 26, 2018 by Epic Records. The album consists of B-sides, rarities, covers, and remixes recorded between 2003 and 2016.

<i>NIRATIAS</i> 2021 studio album by Chevelle

NIRATIAS is the ninth studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on March 5, 2021. It was preceded by four singles: "Self Destructor", "Peach", "Remember When", and "Endlessly". The album was produced by Joe Barresi and was their first studio album in five years, the previous being 2016's The North Corridor. It is also their first album as a two-piece, as bassist Dean Bernardini left the band in late 2019. It marked the final album on their contract with long-time label Epic Records; future music from the band will be released independently.

References

  1. Jason, Lipshutz (July 1, 2016). "Chevelle's Dean Bernardini on Why 'The North Corridor' Represents 'A Defining Moment'". fuse.tv. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  2. Tarradell, Mario (October 30, 2009). "Band's new 'Sci-Fi Crimes' heads for parts unknown, and without Joe Loeffler". The Press Democrat. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Dean Bernardini - Chevelle". ibanez.com. 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Diane Gershuny. "Chevelle's Dean Bernardini". Bass Player Magazine Online. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
  5. ""That was a big deal," Loeffler says. "It was an amazing..."". South Bend Tribune. October 2, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  6. Mtv News Staff. "For The Record: Quick News On Kanye West, Tool, Cam'ron, Guns N' Roses, Kristen Bell, Three 6 Mafia & More". Mtv News. Archived from the original on November 5, 2006. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
  7. Childers, Chad (September 22, 2019). "Chevelle Bassist Dean Benardini To Exit After 2019 Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  8. "Gibson Exclusive: Chevelle's Dean Bernardini on Thunderbird Bass and More". lespaul.com. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 Bohlinger, John (April 30, 2014). "Rig Rundown: Chevelle". Premier Guitar. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  10. "GHS Artist Profile: Dean Bernardini". ghsstrings.com. Retrieved March 4, 2017.