Hard Hitting Rock Music from Modesto, CA
AWARE is a hard rock band based out of the Central Valley. They have a heavy sound with powerful vocals, melodic dual guitar work and a hard-hitting rhythm section that’ll leave you wanting more. They combine a lot of their Influences which include Avenged Sevenfold, Van Halen, Skid Row, Three Days Grace, Alice in Chains, and everything classic and modern that your ears desire.
They are amongst the bands coming up in this generation that are on the mission to bring back hard rock to the forefront of the music industry, and they hope to help everyone along the way as well!
FATAL VEE
Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Stevie Vasquez first formed the band back in late 2021 amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. Utilizing the raw sound and emotion of inspirations like Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, Matt Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, Vee brings back a lost era of Post Grunge energy and style to the table. Aside from fearlessly fronting the group, Vee also is at the forefront of bringing awareness to the dangers of Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis. Throughout the years Vee has helped bring the solid “Aware Sound” that people recognize and love.
BRIELLE
Lead Vocals, Tambourine
Brielle Wallar is the newest addition to AWARE and the final piece to the puzzle. She grew up in choir and theater, also participating in big bands in the Central Valley. She’s graduated from CSU with a degree in Technical Theater in 2023 after transferring from Southern Oregon University. The bands she listens to on rotation are Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Paramore, Journey, and Hall & Oates. Stevie Nicks, Haley Williams, Alanis Morissette, and Linda Ronstadt are singers she looks up to. Brielle also owns a small business where she creates handmade beaded jewelry, called brielle’s beads.
SETH
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Seth “Sethalapod” Willett brings a classic rock sound with his fast solos and distorted riffs wielding his black and red signature Kramer Barretta. He first met fellow members Jagar and Stevie at a local open mic show in July 2022, later getting invited to a practice. A successful jam session later, and he was offered the lead guitar role in the band. His style comes from his love of a range of genres, especially bands like Van Halen, KISS, Led Zeppelin, and Green Day. His guitar hero is Eddie Van Halen, who influenced him through his tone, riffs, speed, and the energy he brought. He also credits Jimi Hendrix, Ace Frehley, Jimmy Page, Nuno Bettencourt, and many more throughout history. Seth has loved music since the day he was born, and 22 years later his passion is still alive.
GIULIA
Bass Guitar
Giulia Pantano is told to be the secret weapon of the band. Although she is very quiet, her art speaks volumes. She has played bass for over 8 years and is a Graphic Design student at Sacramento State. She is the artist behind the gig posters featured on the Instagram page. She got the call to join the band in April 2023 and has not looked back since. The grungey covers the band has recently chosen are her influence, with her favorite artists being Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Cold, Jerry Cantrell, KISS, Extreme, Skid Row, and George Harrison. Her biggest bass influences are Rachel Bolan, Mike Inez, Cliff Burton, and Pat Badger.
JAGAR
Drums
Jagar Ballard has been playing drums for 15 years and from the beginning he has played with as much power as physically possible. Though drums have been his main instrument, he also plays guitar and bass which allows him to help with contribute during the writing process. Jagar joined the band in October of 2021. Some of his favorite bands include Dokken, XYZ, Steeler, Whitesnake, and Dio. The drummers who influence him are Rick Allen, Danny Carey, Vinny Appice, and Tommy Lee.