‘Eraserheads: Combo On The Run’ Is A Trip Behind The Soundtrack Of A Generation — Review

For longtime certified Eheads fans, and both casual and new listeners, Eraserheads: Combo on the Run bares it all about the country’s iconic alternative rock band, recounting their humble beginnings, meteoric rise in the early 1990s, dissolution, and sporadic reunions in the 2000s, and their current resurgence for the current generation.

Featuring needle drops of iconic Eraserheads songs will undoubtedly capture the nostalgia, fond memories, and recollections of hearing them for the first time. Nostalgia is a powerful force, and the documentary, directed by Maria Diane Ventura, takes advantage of its drawing power as a full-circle moment for the band and their fans.

The documentary takes a trip down memory lane, recounting how the band formed as college students at the University of the Philippines – Diliman in 1989, in the aftermath of the EDSA People Power Revolution, where creativity and artistry flourished. From performing small-time shows to releasing their debut album, their ascent proved that the music scene in the country was craving something fresh and new. Their songs captured the mundane experiences and the lives of Filipino youth, standing apart from the usual themes of love and relationships. But beyond that, it was the raw truth in their lyrics and their fearless defiance of norms, choosing to do what they wanted above all else — that cemented their iconic status today.

It’s a typical talking head documentary, featuring pieced-together capsule interviews with Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro. However, their insights offer a first-hand perspective on the band’s rise to popularity. But as a casual listener of the band, being aware of their iconic songs across their discography, it’s seeing the archival footage that keeps us interested apart from the stories told by the band and the key players who have helped shape their success and music. These clips from their ’90s heyday serve as an important piece in their music history — well, in the history of OPM.

The home videos that take us to the once-youthful energy of each of the ‘Heads add to a certain level of intimacy and sincerity that somehow contradicts the sabi-sabi (hearsay) that they were never really friends to begin with and strictly in a professional working relationship. It’s these little moments that gives us an image (or moving images, rather) of what the band are behind all the songs and performances.

As a casual listener of the band familiar with their popular songs across their discography, my interest was hooked by the archival footage, along with the stories told by the key players who helped shape their success and music. These old clips serve as an essential piece of their musical history and, more broadly, the history of OPM. The home videos, filled with the youthful energy of the ‘Heads, reminded us that they were once twenty-somethings who didn’t know better. They enjoyed their time making music and performing for their fans, and these casual moments added a layer of intimacy and sincerity.

The documentary felt like a crash course — visually energetic, no less, on the band’s success during their heyday, as they released albums almost year after year and earned international awards. For those born after their peak and grew up with their music when they were disbanded, the documentary is well worth watching as a supplementary piece of their history. That’s why seeing their differing perspectives on their breakup, often compared to the Philippines’ version of The Beatles’ split in 1970, adds a bittersweet sting, leaving us to wonder what could have been if they had stayed together.

On another note, a minor nitpick in the contents of the documentary is the portion addressing the controversy surrounding Adoro’s alleged physical and psychological abuse of his ex-partner Barbara Ruaro and daughter, singer Syd Hartha. It rightfully deserves to be discussed and not brushed aside. However, including this in the documentary is a double-edged sword. While it’s presented as “resolved” with Adoro seeking help, presenting only the abuser’s perspective without the victim’s side can be problematic. However, separating the art from the artist is an entirely different discussion altogether.

It was during a time of political upheaval that the band, now older and more mature, reunited for their ‘Huling El Bimbo’ reunion concert in December 2022, which drew over 75,000 attendees. As the people found themselves in a time of healing, it also allowed the band to confront the leftovers of their grudges and make room to grow and move forward.

Ending on a high note, it offered what feels like a newfound rebirth for the band. Now closer than ever, perhaps as tight and connected as they were in their younger days — the documentary suggests that time truly heals wounds. It also highlights the importance of creating space for communication and understanding, especially among men. The band themselves acknowledged growing up in a generation where feelings and emotions were often put on the back burner. Buendia, now older and wiser since his statement claiming they were never really friends, has since shared a different perspective — they were never not friends; they simply had a falling out.

Eraserheads: Combo on the Run stands as a moving documentary for the younglings discovering their music and longtime fans reconnecting with the songs that defined their generation. Beyond serving as a tell-all of their history, it is a testament to the relatable human experience of finding healing and reconnecting with those who were once close to us. Now, with the wisdom of time, cherished memories, and shared experiences, the film reminds us that life can, indeed, be a piece of cake.