Eraserheads

Eraserheads (also known as Eheads or 'Heads), sometimes stylized as ERASƎRHEADS was a Filipino rock band which gained prominence during the 1990s, becoming one of the most influential acts in OPM (Original Pinoy Music).

Formed in 1989, Eraserheads' success is credited in introducing a wave of Manila bands during the 1990s and early 2000s, and their enduring influence helped more alternative rock bands to achieve mainstream success in the country.

The Curfew & Sunday School
During their freshman year at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Marcus Adoro (AB Philosophy), Buddy Zabala (BS Library and Information Science), and Raimund Marasigan (AB Mass Communication) were members of a band called The Curfew. Around the time that their female vocalist left the group, Ely Buendia, a Mass Com sophomore posted a wanted ad at the Kalayaan Residence Hall where the three were staying, looking for potential members of his band Sunday School. Adoro, Zabala and Marasigan were the only ones who answered to the ad. During their audition, Marasigan played the bass and Zabala played the drums, but Adoro and Buendia made them switch. During their sophomore year three band mates moved to Molave Residence Hall, where the Buendia was staying.

The band's name came from the David Lynch 1977 "black and white, boring" film Eraserhead which was on one of Buendia's Premier magazines. According to Buendia, the film and name had no significance to them when they took it.

Underground success
At first the band performed cover songs from American artists such as The Cure, Metallica, The Beatles and The Cult but later decided to perform their own material especially after their audience responded well to Pare Ko, one of the first songs Buendia composed. They regularly performed on campus including the annual Where is Elvis? concert series at the University Library with artist and promoter Romeo Lee.

After a string of successful gigs during university events, Adoro said they have become "mini-celebrities" in the underground collegiate music scene so they decided to send out demos hoping to land a recording deal. However, due to the rising popularity and preference for balladeers like Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez at the time, the band was rejected by everyone they auditioned for and sent their demo to, including the day they recall as "araw ng rejection" where they visited record companies in Makati and were turned down by everyone on their list. According to Marasigan, one even told them they got rejected because "'di kasi kayo gwapo eh."

During the Holy Week break of 1991, Robin Rivera, a Humanities professor of Marasigan, helped the band re-record and mix a better version of their demo album on a four-track DAT recorder. The new recording was named Pop-U!, titled as an irreverent response to those who turned them down.

Club Dredd, BMG Records
Finding little incentive in the underground scene, the Eraserheads disbanded shortly thereafter. However, the newly opened Club Dredd asked them to audition. Owners of the club Patrick Reidenbach and Robbie Sunico had previously seen them perform at an event at the UP College of Fine Arts. At the same time, Buendia, who was working at BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. as label manager and copyrighter also submitted the band's demo tape.

The Eraserheads quickly became a regular favorite at Club Dredd, especially among UP students. The club would usually schedule the Eraserheads during Tuesday nights, to attract the UP crowd whose majority do not have classes on Wednesdays. According to Marasigan, Club Dredd also encouraged them to perform their own material which allowed them to hone their skills early on.

Mainstream success, MTV Video Music Awards
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Buendia's departure
Long before his actual departure, Buendia has expressed in several occasions that he hopes to pursue other opportunities by the time he is 30 years old. In March 2002, he officially left the band pointing out differences with the management as reason.

In a 2007 interview with PULP Magazine, Buendia's wife and band manager, Diane Ventura, recounted that Buendia made his decision because of the conflict caused by a miscommunication with the band's roadie, resulting in Buendia turning up late at a mall gig, which the others interpreted as unprofessional and "rockstar" attitude. According to Ventura, when the issue was raised, manager Butch Dans allegedly chose to consider the roadie's account over Buendia's without much deliberation and even quipped that Buendia and Ventura were "probably too high on drugs" to remember the band's schedule. The band learned of Buendia's decision when he sent a text message saying he has "graduated".

Aftermath
Zabala confessed in an interview that disbanding had not been that far away from the members' minds. He said that there were many occasions when they could have disbanded but did not.

Adoro expressed the belief of some people that the band was getting too old, and that it was "selfish" for the band to continue, likely referring to comments about how it's time for other bands, besides Eraserheads, to shine. The band made it clear, though, that Buendia's departure from the band wasn't in any way violent and that there was no shouting (sigawan) or any confrontation involved.

The three remaining Eraserheads decided to continue. Within a few weeks, the "new" Eheads debuted at Hard Rock Cafe in Makati City on April 19, featuring a female singer-guitarist, Kris Gorra-Dancel, from the band, Fatal Posporos. However, after a few months, Adoro had quit the band as well. The remaining members of the Eheads added Diego Mapa and Ebe Dancel to their lineup and renamed their band, "Cambio".

Reunions
In 2016, Eraserheads reunited to promote Smart's All Out Surf campaign, appearing in ads and performing during the "A New Day" event.

Public image and artistry
Early in their career, the Eraserheads became known for having a carefree and irreverent image, with people noting their casual clothes and long hair, as well as their eccentric and playful behavior during performances and interviews. Adoro has mentioned that their rugged look was a statement against ROTC class which required crew cuts.

The band's songs, usually written with colloquial lyrics, are noted for being unconventional and poetic at the same time, and usually tackled adolescent themes of campus life, unreciprocated love, friendships, vices and mundane subjects. These songs also tended to cause controversies, with alleged tongue-in-cheek references to sex and drugs such as Maling Akala and Alapaap, or others downright swearing such as Pare Ko.

Legacy
With undeniable influence brought by their music, the Eraserheads have been dubbed "The Beatles of the Philippines", inspiring musicians who would later achieve success in the same genres, including Parokya ni Edgar, 6cyclemind, Callalily, Vin Dancel, Marc Abaya, Razorback, Gloc 9, Ney and Yeng, Hilera, Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Johnoy Danao, Jay Durias, Chicosci, Aiza Seguerra, Mike Villegas and Tanya Markova.

Members

 * Ely Buendia – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
 * Buddy Zabala – bass guitar, backing vocals
 * Marcus Adoro – lead guitar, backing vocals
 * Raimund Marasigan – drums & percussion, backing vocals
 * Kris Gorra-Dancel – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2002)

Demos

 * Pop U! (1991)

Studio albums

 * Ultraelectromagneticpop! (1993)
 * Circus (1994)
 * Cutterpillow (1995)
 * Fruitcake (1996)
 * Sticker Happy (1997)
 * Natin99 (1999)
 * Carbon Stereoxide (2001)

EPs

 * Fruitcake (1996)
 * Bananatype (1997)
 * Please Transpose EP (2003)

Compilations

 * Aloha Milkyway (1998)
 * Eraserheads: The Singles (2001)
 * Eraserheads Anthology (2004)
 * Eraserheads Anthology 2 (2006)

International Releases

 * Aloha Milkyway Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia (1998)
 * Natin99 Hong Kong (1999)

Live albums

 * Eraserheads: The Reunion Concert 08.30.08 (2008)
 * ERASERHEADS LIVE! The Final Set (Bootleg)