Chevy Metal

Bio

Chevy Metal was ignited in 2002 by the rhythmic prowess of Taylor Hawkins and his longtime friend and musician Wiley Hodgden. Taylor, recognized worldwide as the iconic drummer for the Foo Fighters, brought a relentless energy to the stage fueled by his infectious passion for classic rock. Wiley, a singer and bassist, was the drum tech for Hawkins at this time. While playing and touring with the Foos, Taylor teamed up with Wiley to form Chevy Metal as a side hustle cover band that focused on quintessential rock classics mixed with deep cuts.

"When the Foos were on a break, we had no responsibility, and all the time in the world," said Wiley Hodgden. "So we just spent every day rehearsing in his garage. We were either listening to music, talking about it or playing it. It was his obsession, and he gave me a full on education on how to do it right."

As the band evolved, Taylor and Wiley welcomed into the fold the extraordinary talents of guitarist Brent Woods, a seasoned touring and session guitarist — and a student of the late legend Randy Rhoads.

Chevy Metal spent the first 10 years as a band playing dive bars and small clubs. Eventually, Taylor took the band from the intimate atmosphere of bowling alleys to the grandeur of arenas, festivals and even stadiums, inviting other rock stars to join their shows. They have shared the stage with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Dave Grohl, Joan Jett and Mick Jagger.

Chevy Metal’s specialty as a ’70s dirt-rock cover band is turning deep album cuts into their own. “We don’t just play covers like the original,” says Brent Woods. “We make them our own, as if we wrote them. We fuck them up a bit, speed the tempos, add jams, etc. We just have fun with it.”

Fans can expect a high-energy night of music sourced from such legends as Black Sabbath, Van Halen, The Police, Queen, Thin Lizzy and The Rolling Stones, just to name a few. Every show's setlist is different, and the only way to find out who might show up is to be there.

When the band was faced with Taylor’s untimely passing in 2022, its members came together to honor and pay tribute to him later that year at the Taylor Hawkins memorial shows, held at Wembley Stadium in London and the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. These were thought to be Chevy Metal’s final performances, but Taylor’s son, Shane Hawkins, decided that the band must endure, thus taking his father’s place as its drummer.

“I’ve learned a ton about music from my dad—like, a lot of the bands he loves are now some of my favorites too," Shane says. "Chevy Metal’s just kinda part of who I am at this point, and I’m really excited to keep that connection going with Wiley and Brent while we’re out touring.”

With Shane at the helm and all the dynamic energy he brings, Chevy Metal continues to pay homage to the Taylor Hawkins legacy. Together, Wiley, Brent, and Shane channel the spirit of old-school rock and roll, delving into the rich soundscape of the ’70s and ’80s as they continue their dedication to preserving and celebrating the timeless magic of classic rock.