It may seem unthinkable for the country’s iconic alternative rock band, The Eraserheads, to regroup after their painful disbandment in 2001, following their last album together, “Carbon Stereoxide.”
For more than a decade, the members — led by Ely Buendia, with Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala and Raimund Marasigan — didn’t even speak to each other.
In the years that followed, the guys formed their respective bands — Pupil, Sandwich, The Mongols, Pedikab, The Oktaves and Aparetel — and continued to make their mark in the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) history.
Yet, the fans continued to hold on to hope. They took the personal battles of the band members as their own, sincerely hoping the guys would reconcile.
In 2009, the guys staged a well-attended open-air concert at The Fort, which was cut short when Ely had a heart attack.
Despite this, fans didn’t lose hope. In 2022, concert producer Francis Lumen seemingly made an offer that the four couldn’t resist, leading to a successful, retrospective concert attended by 60,000 fans at the Mall of Asia Grounds in December 2022.
More than reuniting onstage, The Eraserheads found healing and agreed to patch up their differences.
Surprisingly, four individuals who had been together for the longest time but never seriously became real friends, finally discovered a bond.
After a mere three-day run, The Eraserheads’ “Combo on the Run” documentary film has been extended for a full week in theaters nationwide.
“Combo on the Run,” whose title was taken from The Eraserheads’ debut album “Ultraelectromagneticpop” (1993), takes off with the history of the quartet.
The Eraserheads were formed in 1989, following the aftermath of the EDSA People Power Revolt in 1986. Their name was taken from the David Lynch film “Eraserhead” (1977).
The guys are former schoolmates at the University of the Philippines, which is why their “Ang Huling El Bimbo”musical, staged in 2019, depicted the quartet’s early days at UP.
Through the years, they’ve been regarded as one of the most influential and successful bands in the local music scene.
The Eraserheads picked up the pieces and returned for their historic reunion concert, “Huling El Bimbo,” in December 2022, with 75,000 attendees at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque. That concert allowed the band to reconcile, let go of old grudges and move forward.
The highly-anticipated “Combo on the Run” delved deep into the untold facts and truths about The Eraserheads and their breakup, which left many fans heartbroken.
Interviews were recorded with the people who had been with The Eraserheads from the start of their unparalleled career, including their recording boss at BMG Records Pilipinas, radio executives, DJs who followed their rise to stardom, and music critics who knew them from the beginning.
The highs and lows, successes and disappointments of the band that defined a generation were laid bare in “Combo on the Run.” Even the darker times, which the band had previously shied away from, were addressed.
The Eraserheads tackled everything that happened within the band, including the controversial issue that Marcus faced with his daughter. Everything the guys had once ignored, avoided, or brushed off was discussed.
It helped that “Combo on the Run” director, Diane Ventura, personally knew all the members of The Eraserheads. She was the former partner of Ely Buendia, which likely gave her an edge in securing exclusive interviews with the band.
Even if one is not a hardcore fan of The Eraserheads or is merely a casual listener, their popular songs from their extensive discography are widely known. Their cultural impact is undeniable.
Fans loved the recent “Combo on the Run” docu-film that premiered on March 21. The band surprised the attendees by performing onstage—“Superproxy,” “Alapaap,” “Pare Ko,” “Spoliarium,” “Magasin” and the title track.
“Combo on the Run” brought true fans of The Eraserheads to tears. It may seem like an ordinary story to others, but for diehard fans, the moving docu-film struck a deep chord. It immortalizes the legendary quartet.
The resurgence of The Eraserheads brought them on a concert tour across the US, Canada, the Middle East and Australia.
Meanwhile, The Eraserheads are gearing up for their first Electric Fun Music Festival, with tickets going on sale from March 29 to April 16.
The Electric Fun Music Festival was announced at the end of “Combo on the Run.” It will take place on May 31 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque.
Ticket tiers range from bronze, silver, gold, platinum, VIP, to SVIP, with prices ranging from P1,500 to P12,500.
