Eraserheads members confront ‘old wounds,’ find healing in docu-film
MANILA, Philippines — It all started with their passion for music and how it brought them back together.
This was one of the key messages that was mentioned by Eraserheads lead guitarist Marcus Adoro in their documentary “Eraserheads: Combo on The Run,” helmed by filmmaker and frontman Ely Buendia’s ex-wife, Maria Diane Ventura. The film is now showing in over 150 cinemas nationwide until March 23 only.
In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Ely shared that there were some revelations in the film that he didn’t know and was surprised to discover them after watching the documentary.
“There are things that I didn’t know about the guys that I was surprised to find out like the fact that he (one of the band members) can’t parang deal with and sort of his way of coping is playing music. Also the revelation that Marcus really cared about our opinion in his playing,” said Ely.
“Eraserheads: Combo on The Run” delves into the journey of the legendary rock band, their falling out, reunion concerts and where they are at now. The group, composed of Ely, Marcus, Buddy Zabala and Raimund Marasigan, began as a college band at UP Diliman in 1989 before BMG Records took a chance on them and gave them a three-year record deal 30 years ago. They reunited onstage in December 2022 — 13 years after they had their reunion concert in 2009 and 20 years since they disbanded to form respective bands and pursue individual projects.
“Combo on the Run” evoked a nostalgic feeling among the audience who watched it at the special screening last Tuesday. One couldn’t help but nod and lip-sync to the hits of the Eraserheads that have become the soundtrack of the lives of many Filipinos.
According to Diane, the toughest part of making the film was “the anxiety of not knowing how these men are going to sort of react to the very prodding questions.”
“They’re very personal questions,” she stated. “So, I think that parang (it’s like) asking these men who were just coming out of a breakup. How are they going to respond to this? Apart from that, the most difficult part is just the process of the film.”
Opening up through the film was “cathartic” healing for Ely. He told this paper, “Personally, I was ready for it. Parang to me, it was about time I did open up because I’ve been keeping these feelings for 30 years. I could not express myself anywhere so I really welcomed it.”
At the time of this interview, Ely and Marcus were the ones who had already watched the entire film.
“The other two guys have their reasons for not watching. I don’t think they’re ready yet. (But) they have expressed wanting to see it,” Ely said.
Diane chimed in, “They are supportive of the film. They want the fans to see it. They are helping with the promotions but I think personally it takes time. Because remember, we shot this in 2022 right after the tension. So they were… it was like hindi pa sila… The process of healing through the two years we captured from the very beginning.
“Because it’s as if you’re opening old wounds if you watch things. I think it’s very understandable for them to have this trepidation.”
“Because they really like where we are now,” added Ely. “Natatakot sila na baka magkaproblema ulit because of this movie.”
How are things going now for the former bandmates?
“So far, it has been the best the guys have been since the very start of the formation of the band,” declared Ely.
Diane added, “One of my favorite lines was when Ely said, ‘It feels like it’s the very time I’ve known them.’ Isn’t it crazy how could you know someone for decades and be able to say that? It’s a testament of how change is possible. You can evolve and be a different person. You can be better than who you used to be.”
Ely said, “You really have to want the change because otherwise we would have been like before during the 10 years na hindi kami nag-uusap.
“I was telling Diane all the time, I’m fine as is. I don’t need to go on stage with them again na parang I’m good na not knowing that I wasn’t good.
“And parang the moment you realize that you’ll have to work for whatever you want like if I wanted healing, I’d have to work for it. It’s not gonna come to me. So I think that’s another lesson that I learned throughout the making of the movie.”
Aside from music and elements of humor and drama, the “Eraserheads: Combo on The Run” also included the political context of key moments that happened in their lives, including the ethos of the time they were formed three years after EDSA People Power Revolution, then senator Tito Sotto tried to ban the song Alapaap for alleged lyrics about drug use in 1995, and Ely’s support for Leni Robredo’s bid for the presidency in 2022.
“To turn a blind eye really on what’s happening in our country is a mistake that a lot of people make. Because there’s only one thing that affects everyone equally. And that’s the political climate and even though we’re artists in music, we still can’t escape it. So hindi maiiwasan magkaroon ng political color yung story,” explained Ely.
The takeaway from the film for Ely was the realization of how blessed he was to have met his band members and the many people he met in his music career.
“I’ve seen the movie lots of times and I’m still moved by it. And my takeaway is that I’m very lucky to have met these guys and to have this career, to have people surrounding me like Diane and my family and friends who keep supporting the Eraserheads,” he mused.
“Eraserheads: Combo on The Run” is presented by Dvent Pictures and WEU and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
If plans didn’t miscarry, the Eraserheads had a live performance at Gateway yesterday as a surprise for cinemagoers and fans.
They had also announced their new single, teased in the end credits of the docu-film, and an upcoming concert, titled “Eraserheads: Electric Fun Music Festival,” at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Pasay City on May 31. While details remain under wraps, early bird tickets will go on sale exclusively via PalawanPay starting this March 24.
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