The Eraserheads

The following essay on popular music was written by Joseph R. Atilano whose grasp of the subject has been highly praised by the experts. Joseph’s piece below complements my reviews on classic music.

A band that transcends generations became the soundtrack of our youth, and has hit a nerve in every Filipino. That’s how I would describe The Eraserheads, arguably regarded the greatest band of its generation and of the ’90s.

Who can ever forget its songs which are now classics? They are a “must learn” for every starting musician, not only for him to pay homage to but also to relate to and feel the meaning of each song. The songs range from losing a loved one in Ang Huling el Bimbo, to chasing the campus queen in Ligaya, to the bittersweet side of romance in Pare Ko. We all can reminisce and relive those experiences that shaped us, but The Eraserheads sang them for us, letting the songs speak for themselves.

Truly, the band members have surpassed even their own time together. It is as though they had never disbanded and ended their illustrious career. Through their songs, they have cemented their names in the history of Philippine music. But it is good to know that each member has continued to make music in the respective bands he now heads or is a part of, from Ely Buendia in “Pupil”, Buddy Zabala in “The Dawn”, Marcus Adoro in “Markus Highway” to Raimund Marasigan in “Sandwich”.

That’s why those who still can’t believe The Eraserheads has disbanded should keep in mind that sometimes great things come to an end, that every start has an end, and life must go on. We must always look at the bright side of things: the members are all still alive, they still have the desire to continue making music, and they did exist collectively as The Eraserheads.

One thing I have learned is that it is always vital to remember, respect and recognize the achievement of the band that paved the way for others. We all have our own opinions and beliefs as to why they disbanded, but I believe it is better to let things be and not know everything that has happened. I think The Eraserheads had such an aura of mystery about it that we can never know what really caused the band to call it quits. The members did stick together long enough to make albums that would last us a lifetime, albums for us to share with our children. Since the start of the second explosion of Pinoy rock in 2003, their labels were a part of what has been re-issued to all their albums.

Since then, there has been a tribute album consisting of the new generation of bands. There has been a sense of nostalgia even in radio stations which would play random songs of the band. Finally, there were two successful, sold-out reunion concerts at which musicians and fans of every age, and those who weren’t even fans, were amazed once more. I truly believe they reunited when the time was right and when rock was flourishing once more. Now isn’t The Eraserheads the greatest band ever?

This has been the subject of debate since the band ended its run. The Eraserheads is often compared to another seminal band of the ’90s — Rivermaya which was also an important band, popular for the hits it has made. Its most famous line-up consisted of Bamboo Mañalac, Perf de Castro, Nathan Azarcon, Rico Blanco and Escueta. They were the most recognized incarnation of the band in its heyday.

Whether or not The Eraserheads was the greatest band should be left to the music-minded and musicians to decide, for each era had its own premier bands, from the 70s with The Dawn to The Wups. All these bands mentioned were great, each in its own fashion, and revolutionary in its time.

A Christmas gift to all

I would like to gift my readers with a prayer sent me by Susing and Maritess Pineda.

A Prayer for Daily Neglects

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits. First: To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. (Glory be...) Second: To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. (Glory be...) Third: To minister for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life. (Glory be...)

N.B. A poor Clare nun who had just died appeared to her Abbess, who was praying for her, and said: “I went straight to Heaven for, by means of this prayer, recited every evening, I paid all my debts.”

H