Page 98 - ION Indie Magazine_MayJune 2022

It all started in Tarlac, a province in the Philippines. Childhood friends Macky Reyes
(drums/vocals) and brothers Carlo (guitars/vocals) and Vernon “Isko” Vergara (bass/vocals)
grew up listening to both local and foreign reggae, ska, and punk bands.

In 2007, the Vergara brothers migrated to America. Having settled in their new country, they
aspired to pursue their passion and love for music. Carlo, drawing from the experience he
garnered from playing shows in the Philippines, found himself in band called “Old Friends,”
which was based in Whittier, California. Carlo toured with the band in different cities and
states until one of the members of Old Friends decided to move to a different state.

Desiring to continue his music aspirations, Carlo reunited with childhood friend, Macky
Reyes, who had also migrated to America. Since their youth, Carlo and Macky shared a
common interest in forming a band – and they just happened to know the perfect bass player
to complete their musical vision…Isko Vergara! And that is how the band was initially
formed. At first, they wanted to name the band “Quickdraw,” but they desired a moniker that
paid homage to their roots back home; something meaningful to their lives in the Philippines.
By spelling Tarlac backwards, they developed the first rendition of the band name, “Calrats.”