Stillwell is an American alternative rock supergroup formed in 2006, consisting of Korn bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu on guitar, P.O.D. drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo Jr., rapper and producer Q-Unique (born Anthony Quiles) on vocals and guitar, and bassist Pablo "Spider" Silva.[1][2][3] The band blends elements of nu metal, hip-hop, and rock, drawing from the members' experiences in their respective groups, with Fieldy and Wuv contributing rhythmic foundations and Q-Unique providing lyrical and melodic drive.[4]Originally conceived as a side project during breaks from their main bands, Stillwell has released four studio albums over nearly two decades, reflecting an intermittent but persistent creative output influenced by the musicians' schedules.[2] Their debut studio album, Dirtbag (2011), featured high-energy tracks like "On and Poppin'"; their debut EP, Surrounded by Liars, was also released that year, establishing their raw, collaborative sound.[5] Subsequent releases include Raise It Up (2015), described by Fieldy as a "blend of everything" from hip-hop to rock; Supernatural Miracle (2020), which included the single "Change the Channel"; and Rock the House (2023), marking a return after a period of reduced activity.[3][6]The band's trajectory has been shaped by its members' commitments to Korn and P.O.D., leading to sporadic touring and recording, though it gained renewed focus in 2022 when Fieldy stepped back from Korn to address personal issues and prioritize Stillwell.[7] Videos for songs like "Can't Stop Now" (2022) and "Street Metal" (2023) highlight their ongoing evolution, with animated and live-action visuals emphasizing themes of resilience and street-level grit.[4] As of 2025, Stillwell remains a platform for the members' experimental side, distinct from their parent bands while occasionally intersecting through shared fanbases in the rock and metal communities.[8]
Formation and History
Origins and Early Development
StillWell was formed in early 2006 by Korn bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, P.O.D. drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo, and vocalist/guitarist Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles of The Arsonists, marking the inception of a side project that drew on their established networks in the nu metal and rap rock scenes.[9] The collaboration was facilitated by Arvizu's prior connection to Quiles through the Tribal clothing brand, fostering a creative partnership that blended hip-hop lyricism with rock instrumentation.[10]Following formation, the trio began initial songwriting sessions, rapidly entering the studio to develop raw demos that fused rap-metal aggression with alternative rock grooves, culminating in their debut single "Killing Myself to Live," released in October 2007.[1] These early efforts emphasized Quiles' sharp, streetwise vocals over heavy riffs and beats, reflecting the band's street metal ethos. Assembling a stable lineup proved challenging amid members' commitments to their primary bands, with Arvizu and Bernardo initially relying on session players like bassist Pablo "Spider" Silva to solidify the rhythm section before committing fully to the project.[11]By 2010, StillWell had refined their material enough for initial live outings, performing in intimate Los Angeles venues to test their high-energy sound before expanding to larger tours.[12] These early shows, often in club settings, highlighted the band's chemistry and set the stage for their full debut, while navigating logistical hurdles from overlapping tour schedules with Korn and P.O.D.[10]
Debut Release and Initial Success
The debut album Dirtbag was recorded in 2010 and produced by band members Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles.[13]Dirtbag was released on May 10, 2011, as a CD/DVD package through the independent label Nu Day Records, distributed by The End Records.[13] The album's tracklist features 14 songs, including "On & Poppin'" and "Cyclone."[14]Marketing for Dirtbag emphasized the band's supergroup status, particularly Arvizu's prominence as Korn's bassist, with press releases and interviews highlighting his involvement to draw nu-metal fans.[13] Efforts included the release of a music video for the lead single "On & Poppin'," directed to showcase the band's energetic rap-metal style.[5]Following the album's launch, StillWell embarked on early tours in 2011–2012, including the Music as a Weapon V Tour alongside Disturbed and supporting Korn on select European dates such as shows in Helsinki and Rome.[15] These performances helped build initial live momentum for the band.[16]
Later Albums and Ongoing Activities
Following the success of their debut, StillWell released their second studio album, Raise It Up, on November 13, 2015, through Rat Pak Records.[17] The album featured key tracks such as the title song "Raise It Up," showcasing the band's evolving blend of alternative metal and hip-hop influences.[18]The band's third studio album, Supernatural Miracle, arrived on September 18, 2020, as a self-released effort produced by the members themselves.[19] It included singles like "Gasoline" and "A Come to Jesus Moment," with the latter exploring spiritual motifs through introspective lyrics and thematic depth. This release marked a period of greater cohesion among the lineup, drawing on personal growth narratives.[20]Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu's indefinite hiatus from Korn, announced in June 2021 to address personal challenges, shifted his focus toward StillWell, enabling more dedicated band sessions from 2022 onward.[21] This intensified collaboration culminated in the fourth album, Rock the House, self-released on September 16, 2022, which emphasized the group's unified sound. In recent interviews as of 2025, Arvizu has discussed ongoing writing efforts for fresh material, though no full album had materialized by November 2025.[22]StillWell maintained a low-key presence with sporadic live performances between 2019 and 2023, adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual shows and limited in-person events. Bassist Pablo "Spider" Silva, who contributed to the band's early albums including Raise It Up, parted ways around 2018, allowing the core trio to focus on subsequent releases.[23] As of 2025, the project remains an active side endeavor for its members, prioritizing creative output amid their primary commitments.[24]
Musical Style and Influences
Core Genre Elements
StillWell is classified as a rap metal and nu-metal band, blending heavy metal riffs with rap verses and melodic choruses to create a high-energy fusion of rock and hip-hop. The group's sound draws from the aggressive, urban edge of nu-metal, incorporating raw confrontational delivery over driving rhythms that evoke the intensity of early 2000s rap rock acts.[25]A key signature element is the aggressive riffs and grooves provided by Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu on guitar (early albums) and bass (later albums), drawing from his prominent, groovy low-end attacks developed in Korn—anchoring the tracks with a gritty foundation. Drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo contributes syncopated drum patterns influenced by his hip-hop and reggae roots in P.O.D., adding rhythmic complexity and "ghetto beats" that propel the songs' dynamic shifts.[26] Vocalist Q-Unique delivers rapid-fire rap verses with a streetwise intensity honed from his work in hip-hop groups like the Arsonists, often transitioning into sung melodic choruses for emotional contrast.Lyrically, StillWell explores themes of personal struggle, addiction recovery, and spirituality, presented with raw, confrontational energy that mirrors Arvizu's own journey as chronicled in his memoirGot the Life: My Journey of Addiction, Faith, Recovery, and Korn. Songs like "Killing Myself to Live" confront drug dependencies, suicidal tendencies, and redemptive faith through inverted religious imagery, emphasizing inner turmoil and spiritual reckoning.[27]The band's structure typically follows verse-chorus formats with rap-driven verses, melodic hooks, and occasional spoken-word bridges, akin to the rap rock innovations of Rage Against the Machine and Linkin Park. In their early work, such as the debut album Dirtbag, downtuned guitars and hip-hop-inspired electronic samples enhance the gritty, urban atmosphere, evoking street-level aggression.[28]
Evolution and Production Approach
StillWell's production approach evolved notably across their discography, beginning with a raw, self-directed style on their debut album Dirtbag (2011), which was produced entirely by the band members themselves.[14] This resulted in a high-energy sound driven by live instrumentation, including prominent guitars from Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and drums from Noah "Wuv" Bernardo, but reviews noted its unpolished execution, with repetitive structures and a demo-like quality that highlighted the group's nascent collaboration despite their individual experiences in nu-metal and hip-hop scenes.[28] The emphasis was on capturing immediate, organic energy from jamming sessions, prioritizing Q-Unique's rap-infused vocals over extensive post-production editing.[29]By their second album, Raise It Up (2015), the band shifted toward a more refined production, enlisting external expertise from Chris Collier, who served as producer, engineer, mixer, and mastering engineer.[30] This collaboration introduced polished mixes with greater dynamic range and clarity, incorporating more layered live instrumentation such as effects-processed guitars to enhance the blend of rock and hip-hop elements, while maintaining the core trio's songwriting input.[18] The result was a fuller, more explosive sound that balanced the raw aggression of their debut with professional sheen, allowing for tighter arrangements and broader appeal without over-relying on digital manipulation.[31]The third album, Supernatural Miracle (2020), marked a return to self-production by the core members, with co-production and mixing handled by Wuv Bernardo, fostering a matured, introspective approach that built on prior releases as a culmination of their collaborative growth.[32] Here, atmospheric synths—courtesy of Q-Unique's keyboard work—added depth to the tracks, paired with cleaner, more nuanced vocals that emerged from refined jamming sessions originating in informal demos.[33] Instrumentation leaned organic, starting with synth and electronic drum foundations before layering guitars and bass, emphasizing live-feel captures over heavy editing.[29] Many tracks under three minutes, with an average around three minutes, aligning with streaming demands, and the band integrated video content directly into releases for enhanced digital engagement.[34] Post-2020, this extended to a single-drop strategy every four weeks, adapting to modern platforms by prioritizing concise, video-accompanied outputs while sustaining high production effort. This approach continued with Rock the House (2023), where tracks were released monthly starting in 2022, self-produced by the band to maintain organic energy and adapt to digital platforms.[35][36]
Band Members
Primary Lineup
The primary lineup of StillWell consists of a core trio that has remained consistent since the band's formation in 2006, blending nu-metal, hip-hop, and alternative rock elements through their respective instrumental and vocal contributions.[2] Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu serves as the bassist and primary songwriter, drawing from his extensive background in nu-metal dating back to 1993 with the formation of Korn.[37] In StillWell, Arvizu delivers signature percussive bass grooves inspired by hip-hop rhythms, providing the foundational low-end drive that anchors the band's aggressive sound.[37] His involvement intensified following a personal hiatus from Korn starting in 2021, which allowed greater focus on StillWell's creative output and recent material.[21]Noah "Wuv" Bernardo handles drumming duties, bringing a background rooted in his role with P.O.D. since 1992.[26] Bernardo infuses StillWell's tracks with dynamic beats that incorporate reggae-infused rhythms, blending hard rock intensity with hip-hop and reggae grooves to create layered, propulsive percussion.[26]Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles fronts the band on lead vocals and guitar, leveraging his origins in the 1990s New York City hip-hop scene as a member of the Arsonists, a group that emerged in the mid-1990s with a focus on lyrical prowess and underground energy.[38] Within StillWell, Quiles contributes vocal aggression drawn from his rap battle roots, delivering intense lyrics over heavy riffs that he crafts on guitar, shaping the band's street-metal hybrid aesthetic.[39]
Changes and Supporting Personnel
StillWell has maintained a stable core lineup centered on vocalist and guitarist Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles, bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo since the band's formation in 2006 as Capital Q (later renamed StillWell). No major departures from this trio have occurred, though Arvizu's commitments to Korn occasionally limited his availability for certain activities during the mid-2010s.[2]A key change took place in 2011 with the release of the debut album Dirtbag, when Arvizu shifted from bass to lead guitar, prompting the addition of Pablo "Spider" Silva as the band's dedicated bassist. Silva, who also served as a roadie for Korn, provided consistent low-end support for both studio recordings and live shows from 2011 to 2018, expanding the group to a quartet during this era.[40][41]Silva's role was prominent on the follow-up album Raise It Up (2015), where he contributed bass across all tracks, complementing Arvizu's guitar work and enabling fuller live performances, including occasional U.S. tours. In 2018, Arvizu reverted to bass duties, leading to Silva's departure and a return to the original trio format for later releases like Supernatural Miracle (2020).[42][32]The band has incorporated guest vocal features on select tracks, but these have remained non-permanent contributions without altering the primary roster. Touring lineups in the early 2010s were occasionally augmented with additional guitarists to enhance stage presence during U.S. dates, though specific names were not consistently documented.[14]
Discography
Studio Albums
StillWell's debut studio album, Dirtbag, was independently released on May 10, 2011, featuring 14 tracks that explore themes of urban grit. The album's lo-fi aesthetic contributed to its raw, underground feel, reflecting the band's early fusion of rap metal and alternative rock elements.[14][43]The band's second full-length release, Raise It Up, came out on November 13, 2015 through Rat Pak Records and consists of 11 tracks centered on uplift-focused lyrics, emphasizing resilience and energy. This album marked a step toward broader accessibility, charting at No. 12 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and No. 38 on the Top Rock Albums chart, solidifying StillWell's presence in the alternative metal scene.[30])In 2020, StillWell self-released their third studio album, Supernatural Miracle, on September 18, which includes 11 tracks delving into themes of spiritual evolution and personal transformation. Showcasing a shift to digital polish in production for a more refined sound, the album highlights the band's enduring appeal in dedicated rock/metal communities despite lacking major mainstream hits.[32][44]StillWell's fourth studio album, Rock the House, was self-released on October 20, 2023, featuring 10 tracks with a focus on high-energy rock and hip-hop fusion. The album was promoted through monthly single releases starting in 2022, emphasizing direct fan engagement via streaming platforms.[45][46]
Extended Plays and Singles
StillWell released the EP Surrounded by Liars on November 21, 2011, featuring 6 re-recorded tracks from their debut album Dirtbag. The EP includes the title track "Surrounded by Liars," which received a promotional music video with cameos from musicians like Fred Durst and Jacoby Shaddix.[47][48]The band's early singles include "On and Poppin'" (2011) from Dirtbag, which was promoted with a music video and highlighted the group's rap-rock sound.[5]In 2015, StillWell promoted their second album with the single "Raise It Up," accompanied by a promotional music video directed by band member Derek Quiles. The video, featuring dynamic performance shots and thematic visuals of empowerment, has garnered approximately 253,000 views on YouTube as of 2025.[49] This single underscored the band's evolving production style, incorporating heavier bass lines from Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu.The 2020 single "Change the Channel" served as a key release from Supernatural Miracle, paired with a music video that emphasized themes of resilience. The track's introspective lyrics and melodic hooks resonated with fans.[6]Complementing these singles, StillWell produced notable music videos, including the 2020 live-action performance video for "A Come to Jesus Moment" from Supernatural Miracle, exploring redemption through dramatic visuals.[50] Later releases include "Can't Stop Now" (2022) and "Street Metal" (2023) from Rock the House, with animated and live-action visuals highlighting themes of resilience and street-level grit.[51]Following 2020, the band shifted toward digital-only releases, including singles from their 2023 album shared exclusively on streaming platforms and social media to build anticipation for future projects. These efforts reflect StillWell's adaptive approach to distribution in the streaming era, prioritizing direct fan engagement over traditional physical formats.
Reception and Legacy
Critical Reviews
StillWell's debut album Dirtbag (2011) received mixed critical reception, with reviewers noting its fusion of rap and metal but critiquing its reliance on nu-metal elements reminiscent of the members' work in Korn and P.O.D. Sputnikmusic described it as disappointing and derivative, awarding 2.5 out of 5 stars for lacking innovation despite some effective tracks in its "street metal" style.[28]The band's sophomore effort, Raise It Up (2015), saw more positive fan-oriented coverage for its integration of hip-hop and rock, though formal critical reviews were limited. Outlets like Loudwire highlighted standout tracks such as "Mess I Made," appreciating contributions from Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, while noting its broader accessibility.Supernatural Miracle (2020), StillWell's third full-length, explored spiritual and introspective themes in a rap-rock context, receiving generally favorable but sparse responses. Critiques focused on production, with some arguing that effects occasionally overshadowed the core interplay of hip-hop and metal influences.The band's fourth album, Rock the House (2023), garnered limited critical attention, primarily through self-promoted videos and fan discussions emphasizing its energetic, Beastie Boys-inspired tracks like the title song. Overall, StillWell has been viewed as a competent side project blending rap-rock, with divided opinions on its hybrid style—celebrated for uplifting energy by fans but seen as formulaic by some. Commendations often target Q-Unique's vocals on singles like "Raise It Up" and "On & Poppin'." Persistent discussions highlight how Korn's legacy influences perceptions, positioning StillWell as a solid but niche outfit in the alternative metal scene.
Cultural Impact and Recognition
StillWell has maintained a niche presence within rap-rock and nu-metal circles, sustaining interest through streaming and overlaps with fans of Korn and P.O.D. The group's fanbase includes approximately 50,000 followers across social media platforms, with active communities on Facebook and Instagram discussing releases and performances.[23][52]BassistReginald "Fieldy" Arvizu's sobriety journey, detailed in his 2009 memoir Got the Life: My Journey of Addiction, Faith, Recovery, and Korn, aligns with the band's themes of personal redemption, as explored in interviews.[53]As a supergroup of veterans from Korn, P.O.D., and rap scenes, StillWell demonstrates cross-genre collaboration in independent rock. Following Supernatural Miracle (2020), visibility grew on streaming services, with monthly listeners rising amid nu-metal interest. As of 2025, Fieldy has stated no immediate return to Korn but remains open to future possibilities, potentially boosting StillWell's profile.[54][55]