The Werks Welcome Original Bassist Chuckie Love Back To The Band

Dayton, OH’s The Werks are a band defined by change. Over their nearly 15 years of existence, the group has undergone numerous lineup changes, with the core of guitarist Chris Houser and drummer Rob Chafin remaining intact. Each change in personnel has ushered in a new era for the genre-bending jamtronica, funk-jam hybrids. On Friday, The Werks announced the beginning of yet another chapter in their storied history as they welcome original bassist Chuckie Love (Subterranean) back to the band.

“We are stoked to have our brother Chuckie Love back in the band! His signature bass style, vocals, and stage energy will help bring an excitingly fresh and nostalgic flavor to the show” Chafin said in a statement. “We would like to thank Jake Goldberg for holding down the low end the past five years and wish him the best moving forward.”

Jake “Baby Hands” Goldberg had served as the band’s bassist since the position was vacated by Dino Dimitrouleas in 2016 following the death of his brother and Werks bandmate Norman, who himself was replaced with keyboardist Dan Shaw. During Golbergs’ time with The Werks, the band released the 2017 LP Magic as well as the three-song Sonder (Encounters) EP in 2019. Prior to his tenure in The Werks, Goldberg had earned a reputation in Ohio as a member of SassafraZ.

“[Love] and I have been playing together since 2004 in various acts,” Houser said. “Chuck has always embodied the true original soul of The Werks. Our styles have always seemed to sync and I’m very excited to have him back in the group.”

This latest lineup change comes ahead of the band’s 11th annual The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival at Legend Valley in Thornville, OH. Though this year’s festival will look a bit different from past editions, as it will take place in a pod-style format July 23rd–24th, it will still feature many familiar faces from previous festivals including Papadosio, Dopapod, and more.

“I am extremely excited to be taking the stage with these guys again, and overjoyed with the thought of seeing all The Werks fans,” Love said. “Rob, Houser, and I started this, it just seems right that we see it through. It’s funny sometimes how things come full circle.”