The boredom, conservatism and the threat of violence in a bay area ghetto suburb called Vallejo, Ca. birthed the formation of the band Eskapo sometime around late 1997.
The word Eskapo means "refugee" and was a symbol of defiance during Ferdinand's Marcos's dicatorship over the Philippine islands for over 20 years.
The members of the band met and bonded not only because they were some of the only punks in Vallejo but Max Fajardo (drums) , Loi Fajardo (guitar), Michael Uy (guitar) and Rupert Estanislao (vocals) were all Pilipino immigrants trying to carve a nitch in a new country by cutting their teeth on cheap equipment and rowdy local backyard punk shows.
The members of the band all came from working class immigrant backgrounds and found a furious solace in hardcore,punk and Oi! bands like Minor Threat, Operation Ivy, Black Flag,The Oppressed and Negative Approach.
The influence of Philippine punk , hardcore and even revolutionary folk bands like Philippine Violators, WUDS , Yano , Asin also seeped into their earliest efforts because of the artful and eloquent way these bands wrote their melodies and lyrics in the Philippine dialect of Tagalog.
Eskapo's line up changed in early 1998 when guitarist Michael Uy left to attend to family matters and Luke Winders then age 18 and a senior at Vallejo High school was called in to play bass.
Luke became the missing piece in the jagged puzzle and added melodic basslines to the songs , his intelligent open minded outlook, interest in literature and good nature added to the comradery of Eskapo.
The band was inactive for months due to various circumstances both financial and personal but was rejuvenated with the addition of energetic and youthful guitar player Bruce Webb,then age 20, who was a crust punk influenced by international thrash,hardcore and punk.
Bruce's songwriting and insane stage presence help to characterize the urgencey of Eskapo's politically charged lyrics , his influence in both attire and musical taste led the band in a faster more abrasive direction and his strength through the cancer he faced was nothing short of awe inspiring to his friends.
In early 2003 England Hidalgo was asked to be Eskapo's sixth member and second singer. England's twisted and offbeat painting style was used to interpret Eskapo's message in the visual art that has graced the band's merchandise , fliers and album cover. England's songwriting paired well with Bruce's crust influence and created more songs akin to their inspirations.
Eskapo released the 15 song full length, Kalayaan (Liberation) in 2004 completely DIY and played shows in Southern California and some in Mexico with other independant punk/crust/metal/pop punk acts of all different shades and shapes.
"Kalayaan" was an honest and raw musical effort mixing hardcore punk with thrash and 77 style street punk with songs that railed against imperialism , racism and globalization but celebrated drunken comradery and ghetto hometown pride with lyrics sung in both Tagalog and English.
Touring was limited because of medical and financial difficulties but local shows were always one part political forum and one part intoxicated celebration. Many songs were relased on various compilations both local, in the Philippines and South America.
After organizing benefit shows for communitty spaces , progressive labor parties in the third world and some of the best shows any band could play in venues such as Bindlestiff Studios/Alley , Burnt Ramen , 924 Gilman , The Hazmat Wherehouse and many more house parties and backyards ,
Eskapo disbanded in 2005 for whatever reason , came to a halt without warning and scattered to other projects and goals.
After months of being stricken with sickness and yet still fighting for every breath,
March 1st 2006 saw the passing of one of our own comrades, guitarist Bruce Webb died at age 25 from cancer and left behind a wealth of memories, songs and a spirit that has ressurected the drive of Eskapo once again.
Gilman!!!
