Emerging from Atlanta’s thriving underground music scene, garage rock band Shake Awake is making waves with their raw energy, clever lyrics, and unfiltered passion. The trio—Joseph Hawkins on vocals and bass, Tiernen Callahan on guitar, and Alejo Guerra on drums—has carved out a space for themselves in the city’s alternative scene, going from playing house shows to performing at iconic venues like The Masquerade, Smith’s Olde Bar, and most recently, Center Stage Vinyl on February 21.
A Band Born from Chance Encounters and Jamming Sessions
Sometimes, the best bands come together by accident. Shake Awake is one of them. Guerra met Callahan on a bench at school and struck up a conversation about music. Hawkins came into the mix through a music program at Kennesaw State University. From those first jam sessions, they stuck together, even before they had a clear vision for their sound.
“We didn’t know what we were going to do,” Hawkins admitted. “We were just like, ‘Let’s jam.’”
They played live before they even released a song—an unusual but telling move. Thanks to Callahan’s familiarity with the local scene, they landed their first show on a strong bill, performing in front of a larger crowd than they sometimes draw today. That moment made it real. “We can actually do this,” Hawkins recalled thinking.
From House Shows to the Studio: The Journey to Their First Album
Shake Awake’s first recorded track, “Pithy,” was a basement project—raw and unpolished, yet it became their most streamed song. But before they got to that point, they had to navigate their own development as musicians.
“We had about five songs when we started,” Guerra explained. “Then I went to Madrid for six months, and when I came back, we recorded ‘Pithy.’”
Since then, they’ve expanded their catalog to ten songs, with only three officially released. That’s about to change. The band has eight songs tracked for their debut album, set for release this summer. The rollout will align with a series of live shows in May and July, bringing their music to an even wider audience.
The Meaning Behind ‘Shake Awake’
The band’s name isn’t just a random phrase—it’s rooted in their music. “Shake Awake” originally served as the title of a song that later became “Kudzu Cutter,” one of their three released tracks.
“We spent weeks trying to figure out a band name,” Hawkins said. “Then Alejo was like, ‘Why don’t we just call it Shake Awake?’”
It stuck. Even though “Pithy” gets most of their streams, “Kudzu Cutter” remains a favorite among fans. “There’s a remix of ‘Kudzu Cutter’ coming out,” Guerra revealed. “It’s going to sound much better.”
Defining Their Sound: Messy, Loud, and Proud
Shake Awake labels itself as a garage rock band, but what does that really mean? Callahan sums it up in one word: “Messy.”
Unlike the technically polished artists they often share a stage with, Shake Awake thrives on their raw, unfiltered approach. “We are good,” Callahan admitted. “Joseph’s a good songwriter. Instrumentally, we may be challenged.”
Yet, that imperfection is what makes them stand out. It’s the reason their music resonates with audiences in a scene that values authenticity over perfection. Their sound isn’t just about hitting every note—it’s about capturing a feeling, a moment, a raw, electric energy that makes live music special.
With a debut album on the horizon and an ever-growing fanbase, Shake Awake is poised for bigger things. Whether they’re playing a sweaty house show or taking over a major stage, one thing’s clear: they’re here to stay.
