When Eraserheads broke up years ago, I was nonetheless comforted by the thought that its musical legacy that defined a period – the alternative music era of the 90’s that practically sidelined the solo artists – was what mattered. True enough, while they may not be the greatest of artists, their music lived on. What more can a true artist wish for than be emulated for their songs.
Remember their parental guidance-rated debut album Ultraelectromagneticpop – a play on the 70’s robot anime Voltes V weapon – with Pare Ko having an original and tamed version? How about the senseless Toyang with its unpretentious Beatles sound? Yes, The Beatles – the single biggest influence in Ely Buendia’s music whether he admits it or not, whether we believe or not. Well, he was actually vocal and visual — notice the Lennon glasses and hair, the shirt, the guitar –about it. Such is the influence that anyone familiar with the Beatles music – and who is not? — would think Lennon reincarnated as Buendia to give hope in this accursed nation.
But there lies the power and appeal of E-heads’ music — a creative harmony of lyrical power and great melody that resonates with familiar stories of love, life and nostalgia ( the sentimental Minsan, the poignant Huling El Bimbo). And interestingly, what the Beatles captured in the 60’s, E-heads with the former’s marked influence, managed to captivate in the 90’s — the youth. Alapaap for one, and arguably the E-heads best song, was inspired by Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
Some would argue E-heads, or Buendia for that matter, is pa-Beatles. I agree. But what of it? Still they are no mere cardboard or copycats but are built on their own material – something that cannot be said of other so-called great artists — Pineda for one, who despite his being hired by an international rock band still has to come up with a hit of his own (how many ways can you interpret Perry?) Certainly, Yoyoy Willame is more authentic with his Butchikik (and admirable in his troubadour character in O’Hara’s Babae sa Breakwater.)
Buendia undeniably doesn’t know how to sing, but their music more than makes up for this inability — it is direct from their hearts to yours with raw vocals part of its artistic honesty and musical integrity. This is not to say they are as great as the Beatles, they are a cosmos far from being so. But to pack a venue with 60,000 fans for a reunion concert and not while at the peak of their career is a feat unmatched by any Pinoy band.
So here’s to Eresherheads and Buendia’s recovery, a wish that we may relive those days of their youthful music minsan pa.
Posted by diego rojo banaag 
