When I was still in elementary, my older sister brought home this strange, and rather crappy-looking cassette tape. It looked below the average when I compared it to the other tapes piled up in our house. But when she popped the tape in the player, a familiar sound came out, my favorite at that time, “Ligaya“. Then without fail, I hummed and pathetically sang along. Though my lyrics were made up and I sounded so blah, I was ecstatic. I picked up the tape and read the title, “UltraElectroMagneticPop“. Now that was weird. But cool.
After that first tape, it was followed by “Circus”, “Cutterpillow“, “Banana Type”, “Fruitcake”, “Sticker Happy”, and the rest of the Eraserheads‘ ground breaking albums. From the day my sister got hold of their first album to me being 21 years old today, the legacy that these guys from UP Diliman have left is remarkably indelible.
The E-heads came stright from college; fresh from thesis, ROTC, young loves, beerkadas and the likes ordinary teens go through. They offered comic relief to life’s most challenging tricks in songs like, “Shake yer head”, “Easy ka lang”, “Slo mo”, “Yoko”, and “Magasin”, just to name a few. They also presented”barkada themes” like the beloved,”Minsan” and “With a smile”. The band touched different subjects with their addictive tunes, killer lyrics and cool and hip personas. A lot of the bands today admit that the E-heads are their idols. And I second the motion.
Everyone who has had the chance to listen to their music can attest to how great and legendary these guys are in the Philippine music industry. And it shows through everything that they have done, and inspired. The Eraserheads’ tribute album, “UltraelectromagneticJam” has reaped good reviews and is a phenomenon among the many tribute albums that came later. E-heads are the Pinoy Beattles. Or rather, they are the GODS of the pinoy bands.
Many of the fans, including me, have always screamed out that they should be reunited. Some say they shouldn’t. But honestly, whatever should work best for them should be just as fine to us. Most of the fans really miss their brand of music. For one, I think (please correct me if I’m wrong) they were the ones who started the dialogue inserts in their albums, like the “Punk Zappa”, “No Royalty album filler no.9″ and “Prof. Banlaoi’s transcendental medication after every six months or Punk Zappa 3″ in their album circus. They have a distinct sound and even greater lyrics to back up their melodies. What they sing, what they produce, and whatever they do, they never fail to touch the heart. This is why, I guess, a lot of people simply admire them to death (me included).
Today, Ely Buendia has had Mongols and is in Pupil, Raimund Marasigan is in Sandwich, Buddy Zabala in Cambio, and Marcus Adoro is (the last I heard honestly) doing surfing or something. Raimund and Buddy have collaborated to be producers of Itchyworms too. Actually, I think Buddy is more into producing nowadays (please correct me if I’m wrong).
Just last Sunday, January 28 2007, a benefit concert for Ely was held. The frontman has recently undergone surgery and thankfully is getting better. For those who went to the huge event, they say that it was truly amazing. I really wished I could go, but I had to go back to UPLB that same day, so boo-hoo to me. Anyway, so many bands were there, like Kamikaze, Rivermaya, Itchyworms and Parokya ni Edgar just to mention some. They even had a small testimonial on how they have always looked up to the Eheads. Marcus was there and sang some of their old hits. I’m not sure if it was “Huwag mo nang itanong” though. But still, seeing how so many people have gathered to support Ely is really something to behold.
In years to come, I just wish they would come up with a box set of all the E-heads’ albums. I lack Carbonstereoxide and Natin99. Though the last album isn’t really theirs but a compilation of songs for the 100th year of independence.
Well, for now, fans should be content with seeing Ely B. still up and running. Kudos to all!
