A Night at The Dead Famous with Chevy Metal & The Alive brought to you in partnership with Protection Racket.
Thursday May 28th 2026 – Location: The Dead Famous, Newquay, Cornwall
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and rhythm as we bring the electrifying sounds of Chevy Metal and The Alive all the way from LA to the heart of Cornwall! Hosted by the legend that is Dean Bowdery (Protection Racket)
Drum Clinic (7 PM – 8 PM) (All ages welcome – doors open at 18:00)
Kick off the evening with an exclusive Drum Clinic featuring the incredible Shane Hawkins (Chevy Metal). This all-ages session is perfect for drumming enthusiasts and music lovers alike, offering a rare opportunity to learn from two of the best in the business.
Live Music (8:30 PM- Late) (18+)
From 8:30 PM, the stage will ignite with an epic lineup of live music (18+ only). Local legends Tyrants and Mutant Menace will set the tone with their high-energy performances, paving the way for a powerful set from The Alive. The night will culminate with a show-stopping performance by the one and only Chevy Metal, delivering a mix of rock classics and raw energy that will leave you buzzing.
Tickets:
- Drum Clinic: £14
- Live Music: £15
- Both Sessions: £22 (over 18s only for this ticket type)
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event ahead of their appearance at The Great Estate Festival. Secure your tickets now and be part of a night to remember at The Dead Famous!
Tickets on sale now!
THE LINE UP
Chevy Metal
Chevy Metal was ignited in 2002 by the rhythmic prowess of Taylor Hawkins and his long time 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, both singer and bass player, was the drum tech for Hawkins at this time. While playing and touring with the Foos, Taylor joined with Wiley to form Chevy Metal as a side hustle cover band that focused on quintessential rock classics mixed with deep cuts.
As the band evolved, Taylor and Wiley welcomed into the fold the extraordinary talents of guitarist Brent Woods, who is a seasoned touring / session guitarist and student of the legendary Randy Rhoads. Chevy Metal spent the first ten 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 rockstars to join in their shows. They have shared the stage with rock luminaries such as Dave Grohl, Joan Jett, and even the legendary Mick Jagger.
When the band was faced with the untimely passing of Taylor, its members came together to honor and pay tribute to him at the Taylor Hawkins Memorial shows, held at Wembley Stadium and The Forum. These were thought to be their final performances, but Taylor’s son, Shane Hawkins, decided that the band must endure, thus taking his father’s place as their drummer.
With Shane at the helm, and all the dynamic energy that comes with him, Chevy Metal continues to pay homage to the Hawkins legacy. Together, the band’s members 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.
THE ALIVE
With influences ranging from Sabbath to Idles, The Alive launched in California between surf & skate sessions in 2018. Performance highlights include BottleRock’s main stage, Shaky Knees, Ohana Fest, Kelly Slater’s Wave Ranch, Boardmasters UK, Aftershock, Louder than Life, Surfestival Chile with Jack Johnson, and forever grateful to have opened Lollapalooza Chile 2022’s main stage for Foo Fighters.
Other accolades include direct support sets for Jimmy Eat World, The Hives, Infectious Grooves, Bad Nerves, and performances with Suicidal Tendencies, Ron Artis, Chad Smith, Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder.
Named one of Stab Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Culture Shifters of Tomorrow and featured Guitar Player, CNN, Fuel TV, Daily Mail UK, ABC, NPR, etc. The Alive are a BYOBottle artist committed to reducing single use plastics and have played benefits for Surfrider Foundation, Surfers Against Sewage, and Save the Waves to help protect our beaches and oceans.
MUTANT MENACE
Mutant Menace is an explosive two-piece delivering a wall of sound that hits far beyond their size. Driven by hard-hitting drums, gritty melodic riffs, and pulses of DNB inspired beats, they fuse raw energy with infectious hooks to create a relentless, high-octane sound. Loud, fast, and unapologetically intense, Mutant Menace blur the line between chaos and control with every track.
TYRANTS
Tyrants are an emerging local indie rock band based in Cornwall, known for playing live sets at venues like The Cornish Bank in Falmouth and Whiskers in Newquay. They recently released their first single “Paper Plane” (March 2026) and are heavily involved in the Cornish indie/grunge live music scene
FAQS
We’ve compiled a list of recent FAQs for you ahead of the event.
Are dogs permitted?
Dogs are not permitted to the event
Is this an indoor show?
YES! The event is inside the The Dead Famous in Newquay, so a great all weather night out.
Can I bring a chair?
Unfortunately this is a standing room only show, chairs are not permitted.
There is some seating in the Dead Famous which is available on a first come, first served basis.
Do I need to bring ID?
We will have challenge 25 on our bars, so if you are blessed with a youthful look please make sure you have ID with you.
How to I access the event?
If you bring your Ticket QR code to the main entrance of The Dead Famous, our cheerful box office team will scan this for you and exchange for a wristband.
I can no longer make the show – can I have a refund?
Tickets are non-refundable
Is there any parking?
The Dead Famous doesn’t have a car park, but Newquay has multiple pay and display car parks, and on-street parking.
Will there be shuttle buses?
We don’t have shuttle buses, but you can pre-book taxis with A2B here: https://a2btaxistruro.com/
Can I bring my own food & drinks
Bringing food & drinks to the show is not permitted. This is a licenced premises.
There are a number of local eateries should you wish to go for food before, or after the event.
Can I camp overnight
We do not offer overnight camping. There’s plenty of accommodation options in Newquay.
What time can I arrive?
Here’s the full timings for the event.
If you have a Drum Clinic ticket you can access The Dead Famous for the following times only:
- Doors open at 18:00
- Drum Clinic 19:00-20:00
- Night Ends at 20:00
If you have tickets for the live music section of the night doors open at 20:30- Late
If you have purchased the combo ticket you can arrive from 18:00 and stay until the whole event ends.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask. See you on Thursday!