A newly banded bunch of Athens locals are waking up the town with rapid drum breaks and a quick tempo, as a fresh and electric punk rock band recently hit the neighborhood.
Wake formed in August 2024 and debuted at Benefest in November, hosted at The Union at 18 W. Union St.
Punk rock is an aggressive and flashy genre that took flight in the 1970s and ‘80s. Punk rock was and continues to be viewed as a “celebration of urbanism,” with its energetic lyrics and belligerent facial expressions. For most, it symbolizes an age of rebellion, allowing both the artist and listener to let go and release their emotions.
Students interested in the genre may have just hit the jackpot, as Wake is a punk group composed of three passionate musicians who share a long history with music and songwriting. Jeff Shaffer, a graduate student studying education, is the band’s drummer and said some of his earliest memories with music were shared with family.
“My dad was a drummer when he was in high school and college and (as) a young adult,” Shaffer said. “My older brother picked up the guitar … and then (I) just started playing gigs in middle school with some friends.”
Paul Nern, a graduate student studying business, is the lead guitarist and singer. Nern said the thought of playing guitar was unimaginable until he saw the punk rock band Green Day in concert.
“Billie Joe Armstrong, their frontman, brought a kid up on stage who played guitar with them and I was like, ‘F--- that should have happened to me,’” Nern said. “I was like, ‘next time if I go to a Green Day concert and that happens to me, I'll be able to play guitar’ … now I'm on year eight.”
Nern said he started a band with his twin brother called Rent Free during his sophomore year in undergrad, but after his brother moved away, Wake slowly fell into place.
Wake was originally a two-man show with Nern and Shaffer, both from Zanesville. However, shortly after its debut, the band welcomed its newest member and Cleveland native, Emmett Mascha, or "Kermit” as his bandmates call him.
As an Athens native, Mascha is not just the band’s bassist, but an Ohio University alumnus and co-founder of Athens' Skate Jam event. Mascha said he is grateful Shaffer and Nern offered him a spot, as his previous experiences in larger bands were fun, yet chaotic.
“This is cool because it is a little bit more polished,” Mascha said. “I did play in a power trio for six or seven years in Athens and it is nice because it is all you need, nothing more nothing less. You are all pulling equal weight … it is kind of like a team sport.”
Wake’s practices, otherwise known as “jam sessions,” are nothing short of inspiring, as each member has their own way of creating lyrics and beats that not only resonate with them but their audience.
“The key part for me is to record on our phones … and then … as a group, we are like, ‘Oh that’s bada--, let’s go back and listen to that and kind of pluck that out,’” Shaffer said.
Some of the band’s favorite songs include “Vulture” and “Nebulizer,” one of which has been performed and the other still a work in progress. Nern said “Vulture” is special to him, as he originally came up with the riff but never completed it until Shaffer stepped into the picture.
“I am a big ‘Vulture’ guy,” Nern said. “(It) set us on the path … of the style of music we wanted to write … the first time I played music with Jeff he kept the signature phrase with this big crash on his drums and that kind of told me where to take it (the riff).”
If a local or Bobcat listens to punk rock regularly or plans to explore the exciting genre, Wake’s upcoming performance is Feb. 6 at The Union. Shaffer said the past few months have been life-changing, and every show with Wake is bound to be unforgettable.
“I will be playing a song or two and then I will just look over at Emmett or Paul … (and) have this grounding moment of like, ‘Wow, I am here (and) we are doing it together,’” Shaffer said. “This is what it is about, just playing music with your friends.”
