Hot Chelle Rae
Catch this break-out band at the Vans Warped Tour, July 28th at Riverbend!
May 20, 2010, 5:16 p.m.
Music scene newcomers Hot Chelle Rae can owe part of their recent success to an adament female fan. The band coined their name after a very devoted fan began showing up to all of their live shows. The band thought she was hot, and her name was Chelle Rae. The rookies had solidfied their identity and began to work on their debut album.
Hot Chelle Rae's Lovesick Electric is a surprising mix of rock, techno, pop and punk that combines to create a unique, mature sound with lyrics that almost any listener can relate to. One listen to any of the tracks on their debut album leaves you wanting more. By the end of each song, you're either dancing or singing along to the chorus.
It's a stroke of luck that this band even formed though after the initial meeting between guitarist Nash Overstreet and drummer Jamie Follese failed to ignite sparks. “We definitely didn’t like each other,” Jamie said. “We dressed differently. I was clean-cut and Nash wasn’t. We looked like polar opposites, and it was just, like, no.” But after their first performance together and a successful session of song writing, the duo knew they had a musical chemistry that was one of a kind. Jamie brought on his brother, Ryan Follese, to perform as lead singer and guitarist and Nash brought on his childhood friend, Ian Keaggy, to play bass guitar -- a skill that he picked up specifically to be a part of the band. Needless to say, it's clear that all members are incredibly talented. Each member excels at their role in the band, creating a sound like no other.
It's not surprising that these four guys are so talented though. All of them come from successful musical backgrounds. Keith, Jamie and Nash each have fathers who were notable Nashville song writers. Ian's father was a Grammy-nominated guitarist.
Jive Records signed the band in 2008 and immediately went to work with two distingushed Nashville producers -- Eric Valentine and Butch Walker. It is easy to hear the profound influence Valentine, of All-American Rejects and Good Charlotte fame, and Butch, who produced hit singles for Katy Perry and Pink, have had on the band's music. You can hear influences of these artists, well-known bands Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Third Eye Blind and many other modern and classic rock influences throughout their album.
Keep watch for a headlining tour, as Hot Chelle Rae has already opened to huge audiences for successful musical acts Third Eye Blind, The Academy Is..., Owl City and Cobra Starship.
Hot Chelle Rae doesn't need fancy gimmicks or processed back beats and vocals to be successful. They've made a stellar debut album with serious musical chops that is comprised of songs for all situations and moods. You can relate to "Bleed," or "Last One Standing," after a break-up, but just as easily dance with your girlfriends, or jam out in your car to "I Like To Dance," "Never Have I Ever," or "Say (Half Past Nine)." The band says, "we’ve tried hard to make it completely accessible and something people can really relate to no matter what’s going on in their lives.” And they've certainly been successful with this!
Hot Chelle Rae is one of 2010's freshest bands, giving evidence that true musical talent has not completely given way to pop queens and electronic voice-overs. Get your first listen now at hotchellerae.com and get tickets for the Vans Warped Tour to see them live this summer on July 28th at Riverbend Music Center!