Firestarter

What was the 90’s like for most of us? Yup that is my generation, that was the time  when cassette tapes were still in, Nintendos, beepers and all those gadgets, the hiphops and metals dominating, the Bioman and the Voltes V fever, and Club Dredd was the place to be..

And there was Eraserheads

We literally grew up listening to their music. We could probably associate an E-heads song to any personal event. Remember the first time you fell in love and how it felt being dumped? Or how you desperately wanted to drive your own car? That heavenly feeling? Or the dormitory where dreams and friendships were made, and finally, graduation? Those names-Ligaya, Shirley, Kim and Aling Nena? What about the  sentiments of the masses and what-nots of this society? Yes, blame it on these four guys- Ely, Raymund, Marcus, and Buddy, that the 90’s have something to boast about. And that is their music.

The saying, "You don’t know what you’ve got until its gone" really applies to me personally. I wasn’t a fan of E-heads back then. At that time, my love for rock-and-roll had not been realized yet. I did not care if they cuss on their songs. I was apathetic when they have been accused of songs with demonic lyrics (the back-mask issue on Alapaap). I really had no idea how "influential" they were at that time. I did not know I was missing a lot!

My fascination for bands started with their break-up. When Sandwich was introduced to me and later on, hooked up on their gigs, I thought, maybe, I should listen more to OPM rock. I was starting to ask myself, "What was the underground scene like in the 90’s? How was the UP fair back then when they played? Why do bands nowadays include Eraserheads as one of their biggest influences?" Little did I know that my curiosity will  lead to something else.

Thank God for this book which I just purchased minutes ago. "Tikman Ang Langit"-an Anthology On the Eraserheads features essays, not ordinarily written, which served as "testimonials" on how this 4-piece combo has inspired their listeners and fans in one way or another. They talk of the pop-culture Eraserheads has established, their memorable encounters with the band, and the legacy that lives on. Some articles feature interesting trivia, some unforgettable lines of their songs, and what not. I bought this book thinking it holds some of the answers why I got addicted to gigs and band music, and why people loved bands. My soul searching was finally over. And I was happy I was not alone…

I am not an avid Eraserheads fan. If I was, I could have stormed their staged performances, get a backstage pass on their concerts, and buy their records.I could have gone to UP fair every year and watched them perform. But that time, I was very young then, and was more ideal. Its not surprising why everybody knows them..
And its not surprising that I admire their songs now.

Eventhough Eraserheads got debunked, they are still in the scene. They are often referred to as "Sirs", as a sign of respect for what they have accomplished. If somebody asks me, "What was your E-heads unforgettable moment?" I would probably say interviewing Sir Raims, together with his current bandmates Pedicab, on air. He was laughing and smiling to some of my comments and questions. I am deeply humbled by that experience. And we go to some of their gigs in Saguijo, this generation’s Club Dredd. They keep the music alive by playing still (for Cambio, Sandwich, Pedicab, The Dawn, Twisted Halo) and  producing albums, of which the music industry is grateful for. 

Afterall, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. Thank you Sir Ely, Sir Buddy Sir Raims Sir Marcus, for the labor of love, and the music you made..

Friday. The day we all look forward to. There is something about this day that makes us go crazy. Because it’s almost weekend. And its always nice and breezy to have A Weekend in the City. Yup, that’s right- "A Weekend in the City", is the sophomore release from the British indie-alternative punk rock group Bloc Party.

I happen to drop by Tower Records when accidentally I bumped into a corner where there is a headset/ earphones but no disc was playing. I head on to the listening bar and, surprisingly, a guy waiting in line wants also to sample the album. He was holding a Bloc Party record too!

My favorite tracks include The Prayer (which could be an anthem for the "not-so confident", with its chanting and amazing drum beats; do not be deceived by the title- it does not contain any religious or elements of divinity whatsoever). Also Kreuzberg, a song about a short lived love affair, say for instance, a one night stand. I Still Remember is more tuned into the romantic hooplas. If you want to groove on to the dancefloor and still "heart" punk, then Hunting For Witches might satisfy your craving. (critics welcome this song as one of London’s trendy beats to watch out for).

With this album, listeners have divided opinions. They exclaimed the lyrics are too radical, a reflection of what is now-sex, drugs, politics and all that jazz. Some say its too uptight and the tunes are lonelier but edgier, and the band has given a more matured look to their music compared to their debut Silent Alarm. Rants and raves are rising, but one thing remains…They’re back!

So fellas, watcha waiting for? Grab yourselves a copy of this album, because you’ll never know what you’re gonna get. Sample the tracks at myspace.com/blocparty

On a sadder note…

I have just been informed that one of my favorite indie bands Narda is disbanding. I don’t know if this is true, pero sayang talaga. Every performance gets so hyped and addictive. I like their album, Discotillon, and would encourage you guys to buy it. Long live disco-punk!