User:Edward Escoto

Edward R “Eddie” Escoto (born February 14, 1976 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras) is an American musician best known as the vocalist and songwriter of Los Angeles based punk band Union 13, which he co-founded in 1992

Early life and childhood
Escoto was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. His parents Ramon Escoto and Maria Del Milagros Contreras were both college teachers who decided to migrate to the United States in search of better opportunities. When Escoto was 11 years old his parents separated. Escoto remained with his mother in East Los Angeles,California where he attended Roosevelt High School. As a teenager Escoto walked all the way to Universal Studios Hollywood to compete in the Nintendo World Championships.

Early career
While attending Roosevelt High School, Escoto became involved in the punk scene as a way to avoid the rampant gang violence that plagued his neighborhood. “Music was the only thing that would keep me away from gangs, in a way it was an exit out,” Escoto would admit. His interest in bands like Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Rage Against The Machine,  Minor Threat , and Rancid  would influence Escoto to form his own band.

Union 13
In 1992, at the age of 16, Edward Escoto along with fellow classmates Jerry Navarro (bass player), Louie Villarreal (drums) and Anthony Lara (Lead Guitar) decided to form Union 13. The newly formed band soon played their first ever backyard party opening up for famed punk band “Misled”. It wasn’t long before the band began to make a name for themselves all over town. Two years later, and with the expulsion of Escoto and Navarro from Roosevelt, the band would change their playing style. Escoto had now been transferred to rival high school Garfield where he would meet Jose Mercado. The two met in music class and Escoto realized that his band needed a lead guitarist, since Lara was unable to do leads, and asked Mercado if he could do solos to which Mercado replied “that’s my middle name”. With Mercado now part of the band Union 13 continued to play back yard parties with a new and improved sound.

Epitaph years
After years of playing backyards Union finally caught a break when Mercado met Charlie Ackerman, an intern at Epitaph Records. Charlie asked Mercado for a demo but Union 13 having never recorded a tape instead sent in a video cassette recording of their live show from the Hollenbeck Youth Center. Charlie gave the video cassette to Brett Gurewitz, owner of Epitaph records, who views the tape and likes the energy and intensity of lead singer Escoto and gets the band to record a demo at Westbeach Recorders studio. Once Brett hears the demo he signs the band to Epitaph records. The first album was entitled East Los Presents... and was released by Epitaph Records in July, 1997. At that time the band consisted of Edward Escoto, on vocals, José Mercado and Ben Sandoval on guitars, Jerry Navarro on bass, and Louie Villareal on drums. This line-up remained the same when they entered the G-Son studio in June 1998 and recorded the album Why Are We Destroying Ourselves?. This was released in October, 1998. By the time the band came to record their third album, Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening, the line-up had been cut in half. Sandoval and Navarro left the band and it was down to José Mercado to do the job of two guitarists and bass player. They returned to the Westbeach Recorders studio with Donnell Cameron in the producer's chair. The album was released in September, 2000. Union 13’s days of playing in backyards had now come to an end. Now the band toured with acts such as; Voodoo Glow Skulls, U.S. Bombs, Dropkick Murphys, Bouncing Souls, 7 Seconds, Flogging Molly, H2O,  Saves the Day ,  Dead by Stereo,  Dos Minutos ,  Pennywise ,  Cafe Tacuba , Molotov,  Maldita Vecindad ,  Sektacore , and  NOFX

Creative differences and departure
The constant touring, however, affected Escoto who grew tired of life in the road. Feeling that he was no longer being true to himself and his fans Escoto decided to leave Union 13. The band was in the middle of their Canadian tour, promoting Youth, betrayal, and Awakening when Escoto made his decision known to fellow members Mercado and Villareal who gave him their blessings.

Post Union 13
After leaving the band Escoto fell in a deep bout of depression. The former Union 13 front man locked himself in his room and cut off all communication with the outside world for over a year. Then, feeling like he needed a change in pace, Escoto took off to London England and from there continued backpacking all over Europe. Escoto’s travels led him through Paris, Monaco, Rome, Venice, all the way to Amsterdam where he decided to settle in the Red Light district. Having lived abroad for six months had given Escoto a fresh new start. Feeling that his soul searching was complete Escoto returned to the United States. Upon his return Escoto received an invitation from longtime friend, and ex Union 13 band member, Navarro to join The Dead at Zero band. Escoto would only play two shows with the band before deciding not to continue with the project. “I still needed to shake off my inner demons,” Escoto would later say of his departure.

Union 13 reunion
In 2005 Villarreal approached Escoto and invited him to come in and practice with the band. This time around Union 13 had a new line up; Villarreal on drums, Rudy Ramos on bass, Eddie Carrasco on rhythm guitar and José on lead Guitar. Feeling great and liking the bands new sense of direction was all the motivation that Escoto needed to return to the band. Despite the reunion another problem struck the band as Mercado and Ramos decided to leave Union 13. Escoto, now in the driver’s seat, brought in childhood friend, and ex member of the band Esqizom, (Baltazar Rodriguez) to the group. The band soon re-established itself and once again began touring parts of the United Sates as well as Mexico, Central and South America. Currently Escoto and company are working on releasing a new LP as well as planning a new tour.

Personal Life
Escoto was married in 2008 to Danielle Osborne, younger sister of professional soccer player Leslie Osborne of the  US women’s national team , and Boston Breakers. They have one daughter Giana, born July 4, 2008 and, one son, Kellen, born August 26, 2010. Escoto and his family currently live in Pico Rivera, CA.

Discography

 * East Los Presents... (July, 1997) Epitaph Records
 * Why Are We Destroying Ourselves? (October, 1998) Epitaph Records
 * Youth, Betrayal and the Awakening (September, 2000) Epitaph Records
 * Symptoms of Humanity (November, 2003) Disaster Records