Because of Ely's heart attack, most of the focus has been on him. Understandable but not entirely fair because the Eraserheads is a four-man act. 4, not 1.
And so, before I shut up about the 'Heads, I just have to say that the 15-song set would not have rocked as much had not Raimund, Buddy and Marcus played their hearts out as well. They have definitely matured as instrumentalists, given the years they were together as the 'Heads and the years after when each of the 4 put up their own bands (Raimund's feat must be cited simply because he has three bands all at the same time, not one after the other). Clearly, they all worked out simply to be able to sustain the energy level needed to keep on playing, song after song--never mind that they did not even talk to each other and had even minimal eye contact.
The 'Heads sounded great not simply because Ely sang his heart out but also because Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund played their hearts out as well.
Marcus, Buddy at Raimund, maraming salamat; binigyan nyo uli kami ng ligaya, kahit na panandalian lamang. Mabuhay kayo!
Ok, I'll shut up now.
Showing posts with label Eraserheads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eraserheads. Show all posts
September 01, 2008
August 31, 2008
The Stunned Silence
I agree with Angelo in his blog post--if the news that there would be no second set had happened in any other concert with any other group, there would have been blood--literally. I agree with the respect, the love, the crowd had for the group, and for Ely.
I was so amazed at how the multitude took the news that Ely was rushed to the hospital and would not be coming back on stage that night. There was a stunned silence. No boos, no hisses, no shouts for refund, no screams of harang (fraud). Just a stunned, and later a prayerful, silence.
While the ending was anticlimactic (because there were just too many songs they had yet to play; so many personal favorites they were saving for last), it was just so rock and roll. I mentioned to someone that they could not have scripted it better--except that it wasn't scripted. In this case, life pre-empted art and added infinitely more spice.
I was so amazed at how the multitude took the news that Ely was rushed to the hospital and would not be coming back on stage that night. There was a stunned silence. No boos, no hisses, no shouts for refund, no screams of harang (fraud). Just a stunned, and later a prayerful, silence.
While the ending was anticlimactic (because there were just too many songs they had yet to play; so many personal favorites they were saving for last), it was just so rock and roll. I mentioned to someone that they could not have scripted it better--except that it wasn't scripted. In this case, life pre-empted art and added infinitely more spice.
ultraelectromagnetic-everything!!!
I was asked why I didn't write a review of the concert (what concert? where have you been hiding?). I answered, I am too much a fan to write a fair review.
But if you insist on a review, look at the title of this post.
If still not satisfied, pick up a thesaurus and go to "spectacular", "amazing", "awesome", "magnificent", "excellent" and write down all the synonyms (spaces are optional).
If you still want more, I'll use Raimund's word, "cooking!"
As a final word, Ely's-- "nakakatindig balahibo."
Now, for that UP centennial eraserheads reunion concert. . . . kulang talaga pag wala sila at bitin naman yung isa.
But if you insist on a review, look at the title of this post.
If still not satisfied, pick up a thesaurus and go to "spectacular", "amazing", "awesome", "magnificent", "excellent" and write down all the synonyms (spaces are optional).
If you still want more, I'll use Raimund's word, "cooking!"
As a final word, Ely's-- "nakakatindig balahibo."
Now, for that UP centennial eraserheads reunion concert. . . . kulang talaga pag wala sila at bitin naman yung isa.
The Green Tag
This is the tag I got that entitled me to a spot of earth--there were no seats anywhere--at the open field of The Fort, VIP section. Before my ego could inflate, I noticed that there was another section, SVIP, and because there was nothing to indicate what S meant, we speculated that it was "Special" or "Spectacular. That led us to wondering whether there was another SMVIP or "Super Mega VIP" section. I must say though that, had I paid for my ticket, it would have been worth every Peso.
August 30, 2008
Ely's unfinished symphonies
It was the one everyone was waiting for. It took ages to organize and it seemed like ages before we got in and even longer before the concert started. But when it did--with the fab four appearing seemingly from thin air--with Alapaap, the decibel level at the open field went from deafening to ear-drum shattering.
Raimund was right--the band was cooking. They sounded better than ever. Ely's voice was strong, Raimund pounded the skins and kept the beat steady;Marcus was the taciturn axeman and Buddy was the smiling rhythm keeper.
For about an hour and fifteen songs deep, it looked like this was going down in history as among the best concerts and the reunion that did not disappoint until the last song.
Going into the last few notes, it seemed something was off; then Ely sat down as the song ended. A 20-minute intermission was announced and everyone started rattling off songs they expected to be played during the second set--El Bimbo, Overdrive, Julie tearjerky, Pare Ko, Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,among many others.
When the 20 minutes became about 30, people started getting restless and then the three appeared onstage, with a woman and several others.That's when Buddy introduced Ely's sister who broke the news-- Ely would not come out anymore, he had to be rushed to the hospital. Amidst a stunned silence,and people half hoping it was a joke, Raimund confirmed it and introduced the organizer who also confirmed it, asked for calm and order and asked for a one minute prayer in silence.
Then it sank in.It was over.
The reunion no one thought would ever happen happened, but was over--in one hour. Ely would not come out for the second set. People, in silence, started shuffling out in disbelief.
While walking to the parking area, we could hear cars with speakers blaring the songs of the 'Heads,as if in tribute and thanksgiving to the band that made a great difference in pop culture and influenced a whole new generation of musicians.
Part of me was hoping it was a joke but when Buddy and Raimund confirmed it, I knew it wasn't.
As Jam said in his post, maybe it was fatigue, maybe it was emotions,maybe it was grief at the loss of a loved one(his mother passed away on Thursday),but Ely Buendia, he of the pop hooks and the astonishingly intuitive and perceptive lyrics, played his heart out tonight. And even if that heart was probably broken, it didn't show.
Many of us were screaming "group hug"to the four who were obviously not talking to each other; they did not oblige. But when the news of Ely's condition came, the remaining three took the stage as one. It was like the group hug that never was.
Ely, get well soon. If tonight has shown one thing: it is that the 'Heads still make a difference and that the four of you are loved. I know because my ears are still ringing and my hands are still sore. Get well soon, there are unfinished symphonies yet to be played.
Raimund was right--the band was cooking. They sounded better than ever. Ely's voice was strong, Raimund pounded the skins and kept the beat steady;Marcus was the taciturn axeman and Buddy was the smiling rhythm keeper.
For about an hour and fifteen songs deep, it looked like this was going down in history as among the best concerts and the reunion that did not disappoint until the last song.
Going into the last few notes, it seemed something was off; then Ely sat down as the song ended. A 20-minute intermission was announced and everyone started rattling off songs they expected to be played during the second set--El Bimbo, Overdrive, Julie tearjerky, Pare Ko, Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,among many others.
When the 20 minutes became about 30, people started getting restless and then the three appeared onstage, with a woman and several others.That's when Buddy introduced Ely's sister who broke the news-- Ely would not come out anymore, he had to be rushed to the hospital. Amidst a stunned silence,and people half hoping it was a joke, Raimund confirmed it and introduced the organizer who also confirmed it, asked for calm and order and asked for a one minute prayer in silence.
Then it sank in.It was over.
The reunion no one thought would ever happen happened, but was over--in one hour. Ely would not come out for the second set. People, in silence, started shuffling out in disbelief.
While walking to the parking area, we could hear cars with speakers blaring the songs of the 'Heads,as if in tribute and thanksgiving to the band that made a great difference in pop culture and influenced a whole new generation of musicians.
Part of me was hoping it was a joke but when Buddy and Raimund confirmed it, I knew it wasn't.
As Jam said in his post, maybe it was fatigue, maybe it was emotions,maybe it was grief at the loss of a loved one(his mother passed away on Thursday),but Ely Buendia, he of the pop hooks and the astonishingly intuitive and perceptive lyrics, played his heart out tonight. And even if that heart was probably broken, it didn't show.
Many of us were screaming "group hug"to the four who were obviously not talking to each other; they did not oblige. But when the news of Ely's condition came, the remaining three took the stage as one. It was like the group hug that never was.
Ely, get well soon. If tonight has shown one thing: it is that the 'Heads still make a difference and that the four of you are loved. I know because my ears are still ringing and my hands are still sore. Get well soon, there are unfinished symphonies yet to be played.
August 10, 2008
para kay skaterboy
maraming salamat at pinaunlakan mo ako. maraming salamat sa mga binigay mong "tips" kung ano ang daan para masakatuparan ang ating parehong minimithi--na kayo'y magsama sama uli para sa peyups. hayaan mo't pinagsisikapan kong mapaabot ang mensahe sa tatlo--sana naman ay pumayag sila.
July 27, 2008
Para sa Masa?
Para kay Marcus, Raimund, Buddy at Ely,
Hindi ninyo ako kilala at hindi tayo kailanman nagkita o pinakilala. Hayaan ninyong ako'y magpapakilala. Ako si Ted, isang masugid na tagahanga ng inyong banda. Hindi kalabisang sabihin ko dito na isa kayo sa kinikilala kong malaki ang impluwensya sa musikang pinipili kong pakinggan at sa mga Pilipinong bandang sinusundan.
Hindi pa kayo kasing sikat at kasing galing ay narinig ko na kayong tumugtog; sa mga gigs, maliit at malaki. At ako'y napahanga, unang una, sa tindi ng pag-unawa ninyo sa diwa, kaisipan at sikolohiya ng pangkaraniwang masang pilipino, at mas higit pa dito ang pangkaraniwang masang pilipinong estudyante. Maraming mas malupit tumugtog ng gitara, baho at tambol; mas maraming mas maganda ang boses. Ngunit, sadyang bukod tangi at di pangkaraniwan ang pagsasama ninyong apat dahil, unang una, sa lalim ng pagkakaibigan ninyo at, pangalawa, sa lalim at tingkad ng pag-unawa ninyo sa mga iniisip ng kapwa ninyong pilipinong estudyante at kabataan; sumunod na lamang ang pagiging bihasa sa pagkanta, pagitara, pagbaho at pagtambol.
Alam kong sasabihin ninyong hindi ninyo pinlano na maging "role model" at tingalain ng mga kabataan, at ng masang pilipinong naki kanta sa inyo mula pa noong 1989.
Ninanais nyo man o hindi, nung nag-umpisa kayo sa UP, naging modelo kayo para sa mga kabataan na ninanais lamang tumugtog, kumanta at ipadama ang saloobin sa lingwahe na natatangi at di-mapagkailang sariling sarili. Nasa plano nyo man o hindi, tiningala kayo ng mga kabataan, mga dati'y kabataan at, oo, ng masa. Silang bumili ng inyong mga plaka, kaset, cd at tumugtog, kumanta at nakimura sa sinensor na "Pare ko."
Kung hayaan ninyo akong magyabang ng bahagya, yan naman ang galing UP. Sa bawa't gawain, nagiging bukod-tangi. At, oo, kinikilala din kayo na bukod-tanging bandang peyups na peyups.
Ngayo'y magtitipon tipon uli kayo. Sa Agosto 30 daw. Ngunit, one night only at 45 minutes lang daw. At, ang malupit, ang isponsor ninyo ay ang gumagawa ng yosi--Marlboro, Philip Morris. At eto pa ang mas malupit, bawal ang pag-iisponsor nila sa inyo. Maniwala kayo, nagtanong ako sa abogado.
Alam ko namang hindi ko papel ang pigilan kayong tanggapin ang perang ibinigay na ng Marlboro at Philip Morris. Kung ako lang ang may pera, siguro higit pa sa diumano'y 2.5 Million bawa't isa ang ibabayad ko sa inyo (huwag kayong mag-alala sa BIR, may matitinik akong mga "tax lawyers" na kakilala); pero wala akong ganyang pera at hindi ko kayang pigilan ang pagsasama sama ninyo uli dahil sa "Marlboro country."
Isa na lamang ang pakiusap ko: maaari kayang kayong magsasama uli, BAGO mag Agosto 30, sa Sunken Garden ng UP Diliman; sana'y wala nang Marlboro, Fortune, Philip Morris o kung sinomang gumagawa ng yosi ang magpakana, sana'y sa inyo na lamang ang kusa. Tutal, sentenaryo ng Peyups sa 2008 at kulang pag wala kayo. Isang gabi lang ang pakiusap.
Sana'y magsasama uli kayo at muling kantahin ang mga dati nang naging themesong ng marami; baka maaaring kantahin uli ang "Pare Ko" kahit na may kasamang pagmumura, at baka maaaring matapos sa "UP Ang Galing Mo!" at sa "UP Naming Mahal" (na sana'y walang pagmumura).
Wala kaming maaaring ibayad sa inyo kundi ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat na minsan sa taon ng sentenaryo ng Peyups ay nagsasama muli ang pinakadakila, pinakatanyag, pinakamalupit at pinakahinahangang Eraserheads--at hindi dahil sa sigarilyo.
Maraming salamat at lubos na gumagalang,
Ted
PS. Lubhang napakaganda ng kanta ninyong "Para sa Masa". Eto ang sinabi ninyo noon, nawa'y maging totoo uli ngayon:
Para sa Masa
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng nawalan ng pag-asa
Sa lahat ng aming nakasama
Sa lahat ng hirap at pagdurusa
Na-aalala niyo pa ba
Binigyan namin kayo ng ligaya
Ilang taon na rin ang lumipas
Mga kulay ng mundo ay kumupas
Marami na rin ang mga pagbabago
Di maiiwasan 'pagkat tayo ay tao lamang
Mapapatawad mo ba ako
Kung hindi ko sinunod ang gusto mo
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
Pinilit kong iahon ka
Ngunit ayaw mo namang sumama
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng binaon ng sistema
Sa lahat ng aming nakabarkada
Sa lahat ng mahilig sa labsong at drama
Sa lahat ng di marunong bumasa
Sa lahat ng may problema sa skwela
Sa lahat ng fans ni Sharon Cuneta
Sa lahat ng may problema sa pera
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Huwag mong hayaang ganito
Bigyan ang sarili ng respeto
La la la la, la la la la...
La la la la, la la la...
Hindi ninyo ako kilala at hindi tayo kailanman nagkita o pinakilala. Hayaan ninyong ako'y magpapakilala. Ako si Ted, isang masugid na tagahanga ng inyong banda. Hindi kalabisang sabihin ko dito na isa kayo sa kinikilala kong malaki ang impluwensya sa musikang pinipili kong pakinggan at sa mga Pilipinong bandang sinusundan.
Hindi pa kayo kasing sikat at kasing galing ay narinig ko na kayong tumugtog; sa mga gigs, maliit at malaki. At ako'y napahanga, unang una, sa tindi ng pag-unawa ninyo sa diwa, kaisipan at sikolohiya ng pangkaraniwang masang pilipino, at mas higit pa dito ang pangkaraniwang masang pilipinong estudyante. Maraming mas malupit tumugtog ng gitara, baho at tambol; mas maraming mas maganda ang boses. Ngunit, sadyang bukod tangi at di pangkaraniwan ang pagsasama ninyong apat dahil, unang una, sa lalim ng pagkakaibigan ninyo at, pangalawa, sa lalim at tingkad ng pag-unawa ninyo sa mga iniisip ng kapwa ninyong pilipinong estudyante at kabataan; sumunod na lamang ang pagiging bihasa sa pagkanta, pagitara, pagbaho at pagtambol.
Alam kong sasabihin ninyong hindi ninyo pinlano na maging "role model" at tingalain ng mga kabataan, at ng masang pilipinong naki kanta sa inyo mula pa noong 1989.
Ninanais nyo man o hindi, nung nag-umpisa kayo sa UP, naging modelo kayo para sa mga kabataan na ninanais lamang tumugtog, kumanta at ipadama ang saloobin sa lingwahe na natatangi at di-mapagkailang sariling sarili. Nasa plano nyo man o hindi, tiningala kayo ng mga kabataan, mga dati'y kabataan at, oo, ng masa. Silang bumili ng inyong mga plaka, kaset, cd at tumugtog, kumanta at nakimura sa sinensor na "Pare ko."
Kung hayaan ninyo akong magyabang ng bahagya, yan naman ang galing UP. Sa bawa't gawain, nagiging bukod-tangi. At, oo, kinikilala din kayo na bukod-tanging bandang peyups na peyups.
Ngayo'y magtitipon tipon uli kayo. Sa Agosto 30 daw. Ngunit, one night only at 45 minutes lang daw. At, ang malupit, ang isponsor ninyo ay ang gumagawa ng yosi--Marlboro, Philip Morris. At eto pa ang mas malupit, bawal ang pag-iisponsor nila sa inyo. Maniwala kayo, nagtanong ako sa abogado.
Alam ko namang hindi ko papel ang pigilan kayong tanggapin ang perang ibinigay na ng Marlboro at Philip Morris. Kung ako lang ang may pera, siguro higit pa sa diumano'y 2.5 Million bawa't isa ang ibabayad ko sa inyo (huwag kayong mag-alala sa BIR, may matitinik akong mga "tax lawyers" na kakilala); pero wala akong ganyang pera at hindi ko kayang pigilan ang pagsasama sama ninyo uli dahil sa "Marlboro country."
Isa na lamang ang pakiusap ko: maaari kayang kayong magsasama uli, BAGO mag Agosto 30, sa Sunken Garden ng UP Diliman; sana'y wala nang Marlboro, Fortune, Philip Morris o kung sinomang gumagawa ng yosi ang magpakana, sana'y sa inyo na lamang ang kusa. Tutal, sentenaryo ng Peyups sa 2008 at kulang pag wala kayo. Isang gabi lang ang pakiusap.
Sana'y magsasama uli kayo at muling kantahin ang mga dati nang naging themesong ng marami; baka maaaring kantahin uli ang "Pare Ko" kahit na may kasamang pagmumura, at baka maaaring matapos sa "UP Ang Galing Mo!" at sa "UP Naming Mahal" (na sana'y walang pagmumura).
Wala kaming maaaring ibayad sa inyo kundi ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat na minsan sa taon ng sentenaryo ng Peyups ay nagsasama muli ang pinakadakila, pinakatanyag, pinakamalupit at pinakahinahangang Eraserheads--at hindi dahil sa sigarilyo.
Maraming salamat at lubos na gumagalang,
Ted
PS. Lubhang napakaganda ng kanta ninyong "Para sa Masa". Eto ang sinabi ninyo noon, nawa'y maging totoo uli ngayon:
Para sa Masa
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng nawalan ng pag-asa
Sa lahat ng aming nakasama
Sa lahat ng hirap at pagdurusa
Na-aalala niyo pa ba
Binigyan namin kayo ng ligaya
Ilang taon na rin ang lumipas
Mga kulay ng mundo ay kumupas
Marami na rin ang mga pagbabago
Di maiiwasan 'pagkat tayo ay tao lamang
Mapapatawad mo ba ako
Kung hindi ko sinunod ang gusto mo
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
Pinilit kong iahon ka
Ngunit ayaw mo namang sumama
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng binaon ng sistema
Sa lahat ng aming nakabarkada
Sa lahat ng mahilig sa labsong at drama
Sa lahat ng di marunong bumasa
Sa lahat ng may problema sa skwela
Sa lahat ng fans ni Sharon Cuneta
Sa lahat ng may problema sa pera
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Huwag mong hayaang ganito
Bigyan ang sarili ng respeto
La la la la, la la la la...
La la la la, la la la...
January 10, 2008
Kulang Kung Wala Sila
UP kicked off its centennial celebration on January 8 with a 100-torch relay (that's including Richard Gomez) led by a 100 year old engineer (who sounds less senile than a lot of younger alumni and who displays a great wit and sense of humor in thinking that he could hook up with his classmates; LOL), sky divers, 100 kwitis salute, bogas thundering, the lighting of 100 acacia trees and the lighting of the centennial cauldron (shades of HP and the Goblet of Fire, he he he). The night was capped by a concert led by Ryan Cayabyab and various bands and a 15 or so minute fireworks display (courtesy of Beta Epsilon).
Astig! Galing! Kewl! Pero, may kulang . . .
Since the centennial preparations kicked off, I'd been thinking about this (and apparently I wasn't alone)-- it would be a really great idea to have the most famous luntian at pula band play. Of course, anyone who has been to UP or has lived within the last twenty or so years knows that I'm referring to the 'Heads, the Eraserheads, to be exact--Ely, Marcus, Raimund and Buddy. The only hitch was that they had disbanded some time back and had gone on to individual pursuits (all of them with their own bands; some producing, all still writing music).
While we were waiting for the centennial cauldron to be lit, I was expressing that hope to the law school staff-- it would have been awesome had the boys been asked to play again, maybe for one last gig--the first and probably the last! It would have been similar to a Beatles reunion. But as the night wore on, it was not to be; I don't know if it was because no one from the centennial preparations team thought of it (or had even heard of the 'Heads) or maybe if they had thought of it, they couldn't get them together, or had lost their numbers in their rolodexes or what. But, hey, they got a 100 year old graduate to come and run the torch relay; they even got Richard Gomez to light a torch (how bogus is that?). Of course, they could get the boys back together again--for U.P., if not for anything else?
Jam is right--it would have been perfect as the kick off--for the 'Heads to sing their songs that are full of UP flavor; it would also have been a perfect tribute to a band that managed to blow the lid off the local band scene at that time and influence the local band scene for generations to come.
I remember watching them at Red Rocks (along Scout Tobias), later to become Club Dredd, when they were really struggling; barely able to play but already armed with the charm that was to become their signature. Ely's songs were already unmistakeable and the attitude was totally radical. It didn't matter then that they weren't the best musicians in the planet or that Ely wasn't the best singer, it mattered only that they were singing about things they knew in a manner that they knew about. That was what the 'Heads brought into the scene; and, of course, we (who were then following them) were proud to say, "UP 'yan!"
Listen to any of the local bands that came after them and catch the hooks of the "heads in their songs; watch the bands and see the attitude that these four put on.
The centennial tag line is "UP, ang galing mo!" Very apt indeed for the boys who simply wanted to play and sing their own songs, reflective of countless generations of iskolar ng bayan who simply forged ahead, fueled by their dreams of making a difference for their country and their people and, in the process, making an impact, influencing lives, thought and action by simply being who they were trained to be: UP graduates.
The centennial celebrations just kicked off, so there still is time.
Let me be the first to ask for it then in writing--BRING THE BOYS BACK!!! Let's have the Eraserheads reunite for one last gig (proceeds to go to endowment for the Narra residence hall restoration, he he he; Dan Calica, are you reading this? Popo Lotilla? Pete Abinales?)
Maybe Jam or others who know the 'Heads, wherever they are, can circulate this until it reaches them.
One more gig! Sa harap ni Oble--promise, ipasasara natin ang U Av at ipapasuspindi ng maaga ni Chancellor (kung sino man ang Chancellor ng Diliman sa pagtatapos ng centennial year) ang klase nang makakuha ng magandang pwesto--sabay sabay nating kantahin ang 'Pare Ko--kasama ang mura. At baka pwede nyo rin kantahin ang UP Naming Mahal--pero walang mura.
Astig! Galing! Kewl! Pero, may kulang . . .
Since the centennial preparations kicked off, I'd been thinking about this (and apparently I wasn't alone)-- it would be a really great idea to have the most famous luntian at pula band play. Of course, anyone who has been to UP or has lived within the last twenty or so years knows that I'm referring to the 'Heads, the Eraserheads, to be exact--Ely, Marcus, Raimund and Buddy. The only hitch was that they had disbanded some time back and had gone on to individual pursuits (all of them with their own bands; some producing, all still writing music).
While we were waiting for the centennial cauldron to be lit, I was expressing that hope to the law school staff-- it would have been awesome had the boys been asked to play again, maybe for one last gig--the first and probably the last! It would have been similar to a Beatles reunion. But as the night wore on, it was not to be; I don't know if it was because no one from the centennial preparations team thought of it (or had even heard of the 'Heads) or maybe if they had thought of it, they couldn't get them together, or had lost their numbers in their rolodexes or what. But, hey, they got a 100 year old graduate to come and run the torch relay; they even got Richard Gomez to light a torch (how bogus is that?). Of course, they could get the boys back together again--for U.P., if not for anything else?
Jam is right--it would have been perfect as the kick off--for the 'Heads to sing their songs that are full of UP flavor; it would also have been a perfect tribute to a band that managed to blow the lid off the local band scene at that time and influence the local band scene for generations to come.
I remember watching them at Red Rocks (along Scout Tobias), later to become Club Dredd, when they were really struggling; barely able to play but already armed with the charm that was to become their signature. Ely's songs were already unmistakeable and the attitude was totally radical. It didn't matter then that they weren't the best musicians in the planet or that Ely wasn't the best singer, it mattered only that they were singing about things they knew in a manner that they knew about. That was what the 'Heads brought into the scene; and, of course, we (who were then following them) were proud to say, "UP 'yan!"
Listen to any of the local bands that came after them and catch the hooks of the "heads in their songs; watch the bands and see the attitude that these four put on.
The centennial tag line is "UP, ang galing mo!" Very apt indeed for the boys who simply wanted to play and sing their own songs, reflective of countless generations of iskolar ng bayan who simply forged ahead, fueled by their dreams of making a difference for their country and their people and, in the process, making an impact, influencing lives, thought and action by simply being who they were trained to be: UP graduates.
The centennial celebrations just kicked off, so there still is time.
Let me be the first to ask for it then in writing--BRING THE BOYS BACK!!! Let's have the Eraserheads reunite for one last gig (proceeds to go to endowment for the Narra residence hall restoration, he he he; Dan Calica, are you reading this? Popo Lotilla? Pete Abinales?)
Maybe Jam or others who know the 'Heads, wherever they are, can circulate this until it reaches them.
One more gig! Sa harap ni Oble--promise, ipasasara natin ang U Av at ipapasuspindi ng maaga ni Chancellor (kung sino man ang Chancellor ng Diliman sa pagtatapos ng centennial year) ang klase nang makakuha ng magandang pwesto--sabay sabay nating kantahin ang 'Pare Ko--kasama ang mura. At baka pwede nyo rin kantahin ang UP Naming Mahal--pero walang mura.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)