Draft:The Drabs

The Drabs is an American independent rock band from San Diego, California led by composer, guitarist, and lead vocalist David Bernat. The band was formalized in 2005 when Bernat met drummer Scotty Myers in Carlsbad California, thus comprising the 2 founding members. The band self describes as playing "slack rock/clandestine pop".

The Drabs have officially released three commercial recordings, a full length debut LP entitled Ponto in 2012, a holiday themed EP entitled Here Comes the Joy in 2015, and a full length LP follow-up entitled Hurry Light in 2022.

With the release of Hurry Light on September 23, 2022, the band remains active in the studio and also initiated live shows in 2023. A new EP is rumored for release in 2025.

Formation
Bernat's catalog of original compositions were worked up during practice sessions at Myers' home in Carlsbad, California, with the duo utilizing drop-by friends as available on bass guitar including Noah Sugarman of the band 500 Miles to Memphis and Chris Torres of the Kris Allen band. Demo tracks were recorded by Bernat, Myers, and Torres in 2006 at Sven Erik Seaholm's Kitsch & Sync Production home based studio in San Diego with CD-R hand labeled and numbered copies (rumored to 100) dispersed. The 4 demo tracks would later be re-recorded for inclusion on the band's official debut LP. Myers re-located to join family in Michigan in 2008, prior to the founding duo ever formally performing the band's earliest compositions live to a general public audience.

Ponto
With the departure of drummer Myers in 2008, Myers' brother-in-law Michael C. Stone (of The Grass Heat) joined on drums, and live shows began shortly thereafter with a line-up of Bernat, Torres, and Stone. Nine songs, inclusive of re-recordings of the 4 original demos, were tracked in 2010 at Big Fish Recording Studio in Encinitas, California and eventually released in March 2012 as the band's debut LP under the title Ponto. The debut LP received favorable local reviews, including within the San Diego CityBeat.

Here Comes the Joy
Bernat and Stone continued when Torres' participation with The Drabs paused in 2010 due to other music pursuits and commitments inclusive of joining the touring band of American Idol winner Kris Allen. Steve Clark joined as bassist after responding to one of the band's Craig's List advertisements. The band entered Signature Sound recording studio towards the end of 2014 and initiated recordings for a Christmas themed EP. Additional recording was completed at Singing Serpent Studios located in the Kensington, San Diego neighborhood. Entitled Here Comes the Joy, the holiday EP was released in November 2015, features 4 original songs, plus contributions from guest musicians A.J. Croce, and 3 time San Diego Music Awards winner Gayle Skidmore. Compared to the local coverage received on the band's debut LP ponto, Here Comes the Joy drew positive coverage from across the U.S. and within Europe.

Hurry Light
The band initiated studio sessions in January 2020 at Singing Serpent Studios, in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. Except for piano recorded at Rarefied Recordings San Diego, all tracking was done at Singing Serpent. For a third consecutive time, Ben Moore recorded and mixed the band's output. Comprised of 10 new and original songs, there are 2 instrumentals on the album. Several guest players participated in the sessions; Ed Kornhauser (piano, organ), Shelbi Bennett (backing vocals) of The Midnight Pine, Andy Geib (flugel horn) of Slightly Stoopid, and Ben Moore (organ). The album was mastered by Dave Gardner at Infrasonic Sound in Los Angeles, California, and released into streaming on September 23rd. A vinyl pressing is pending. The LP was reviewed by the San Diego Troubadour.

Current members
David Bernat – vocals, guitars, kazoo, percussion (2005–present)

Steve Clark – bass (2013–present)

Michael C. Stone – drums, percussion (2008–present)

Former members
Scotty Myers – drums (2005–2008)

Chris Torres – bass (2006–2010)

Contributing musicians
Ben Moore – organ (2012) (2021)

Matt Pivetti – kazoo, backing vocals (2012)

A.J. Croce – piano (2015)

Gayle Skidmore – backing vocals (2015)

Ed Kornhauser - piano, organ (2021)

Shelbi Bennett - backing vocals (2021)

Andy Geib - flugel horn (2022)

Discography

 * Ponto (2012)
 * Here Comes the Joy (EP) (2015)
 * Hurry Light (2022)