Miyerkules, Oktubre 16, 2024

The Eraserheads: Philippine Rock's Nirvana

 



    

The Eraserheads, a quartet  hailing from Quezon City, Philippines, emerged in the early 1990s, igniting a revolution in the country's rock music scene. Their impact, much like that of Nirvana in the global rock scene, was profound, reshaping the landscape of Philippine music and leaving an enduring legacy.


The Eraserheads' music, a unique blend of alternative rock, pop, and OPM (Original Pilipino Music), resonated with audiences of all ages. Their songs, characterized by witty lyrics, catchy melodies, and a distinct sound, captured the zeitgeist of the time. Hits like "Ang Huling El Bimbo," "Minsan," and "Magasin" became anthems that defined a generation, much like Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come As You Are."


Beyond their commercial success, The Eraserheads' influence extended to the broader music scene. They paved the way for countless Filipino rock bands and artists, demonstrating that local music could be both commercially viable and artistically significant. Their legacy is evident in the countless bands that have been inspired by their sound and style, from the alternative rock pioneers of the 1990s to the indie rock bands of today.


Moreover, The Eraserheads' impact went beyond music. They became cultural icons, their images and lyrics permeating popular culture. Their concerts were legendary, drawing massive crowds and creating unforgettable memories. Their influence on Philippine fashion, art, and literature is also undeniable.


The Eraserheads' rise to prominence coincided with a period of social and political unrest in the Philippines. Their music provided a voice for a generation seeking change and expression. Their songs often addressed issues such as love, loss, societal problems, and the search for identity. Through their music, they offered a sense of belonging and hope to a disenfranchised youth.


The Eraserheads' legacy extends beyond their music. They became role models for aspiring musicians, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve success in the music industry without compromising one's artistic integrity. Their influence on Philippine culture is immeasurable, and their music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans of all ages.


In conclusion, The Eraserheads' contribution to the Philippine music industry is unparalleled. Their pioneering spirit, innovative sound, and enduring popularity have solidified their status as legends. Their legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and fans alike, ensuring that their music will be cherished for generations to come.


Long Live The Eraserheads!


-Gilbert Obal 2024
Pasigworld

Miyerkules, Pebrero 27, 2013

Poetography (Mga Litrato at Tula ni Gilbert Obal)



               Baliw
                       
  • Bakit laging tumatawa ang baliw?
    Bakit laging lumuluha ang baliw?
    Bakit laging sumisigaw ang baliw?
    Bakit laging bumubulong ang baliw?

    Kahit walang tugtog, sumasayaw siya.
    Kahit walang kausap, nagsasalita siya.
    Kahit hindi gabi, nagbibilang ng bituin.
    Kahit walang tono, gumagawa ng awitin.

    II
    Bakit tayo nagsasaya tuwing pasko?
    Bakit tayo nalulungkot sa sementeryo?
    Bakit tayo nagagalit sa kalaban?
    Bakit tayo nagmamahal ng kaibigan?

    Kay sarap umindak sa maingay na tugtugan.
    Kay sarap ngumiti kapag nagbibingi-bingihan.
    Kay sarap sumakay sa isang eroplano.
    Kay sarap turuang umawit ang loro.

    III
    Sabi ng isang makatang tuliro,
    Baliw daw ang mundo at lahat ng tao...
    Magaling nga lamang magdala ang ilan
    Kaya't hindi pansin itong kabaliwan.

    Kaya tayo tumatawa at lumuluha.
    Kaya tayo nagsasaya at nalulungkot.
    Kaya tayo sumisigaw at bumubulong.
    kaya tayo nagagalit at nagmamahal.

    Baliw kasi tayo.





    Hiya

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    May isdang lumalangoy...
    Ako na nalulunod
    Sa mabilis na agos
    Ng mga panaghoy.

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    May ibong lumilipad...
    Ako na namumuhunan
    Nang pagod at salapi
    Para lamang makalipad.

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    May langgam na nagsisikap...
    Ako na malaki nga
    Subalit kaydaling igupo
    Nang paghihirap.

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    Hahalik ang paru-paro
    Sa mga bulaklak...
    Ako na walang kasuyo
    Kundi mapait na alak.


    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    Sisikat ang araw...
    Ako na ang buhay
    Ay isang mahabang
    Gabing kay panglaw.

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    Babagsak ang ulan...
    Ako na ang luha
    Ipunin man ay hindi
    Bubuhay ng halaman.

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    Magsasayaw ang apoy...
    Ako na sa puso
    Ay walang init
    Na dumadaloy.

    Nahihiya ako sa tuwing
    Maaalalang may Diyos...
    Ako na tao lamang
    Subalit minamahal
    Niya nang lubos.


    Ang Ibinasurang Tula
    Ng Basurerong Baliw.


    "Ako ay may kwento na nakakaaliw
    Tulad ng basura na nakakabaliw
    Gaya ng chicharon na namumulaklak
    Sa t'yan ng lasenggong laklak pa ng laklak...

    Ng alak na galing sa puno ng buhay
    Sa tabi ng kubo na maraming gulay
    Na galing sa lupang nilusob ng peste
    Doon sa taniman ng pamilyang leche...

    Na walang ginawa kung hindi magbilang
    Ng bunga ng santol doon sa may linang
    Na kung hatinggabi'y laganap ang aswang
    Na tanging kalaban ay kwintas na bawang...

    Ni Padre Toribiong may alagang kuba
    Likod ay matigas, balbas ay mahaba
    Singhaba ng buhok ni Arnulfong bakla
    Na lagi sa parlor na may nagsasakla..

    Na lolang madupang at adik na hiyang
    Sa damong malagkit at nakakagiyang
    Na para bang lagnat at saka trangkaso
    Na kanyang nakuha sa nilamong aso...

    Na dating alaga ng maubang lolo
    Na pinsan ng lola ng kapitbahay ko
    Doon sa probinsyang aking namulatan
    Kung saan ang hangin ay laging amihan...

    Na dapat ingatang katulad ng pilak
    Na wari'y sing kintab ng hinasang itak
    Na aking kinalkal hanggang matagpuan
    Sa kumpol ng dumi nitong basurahan."

    pagaspas

    pagkakita sa lipad ng ada
    nahulog at gumulong sa putikan
    kumunoy, lumangoy-langoy
    at sumipol
    ng pagkatamis-tamis
    ngumiti siya
    iniabot ang kamay
    at nag-slide sa bahaghari
    na ipinangako ni manong
    sa mga hudyo
    noong humupa ang baha

    tuloy tayo,
    isinama sa himpapawid
    at yumakap sa ulap
    humalik sa hamog
    at nakipag-bonding sa ulan
    walang muwang
    sa mga kamatayan
    at mga pagsilang
    na sabay-sabay sumasayaw
    sa lupa
    ayaw nang bumaha
    kapit-kamay sa pangarap
    na pagaspas patungong
    langit.





BeatHeads: The Beatles-Eraserheads Connection


 The BeatHeads Interview.


"BEATLES & ERASERHEADS: 30 YEARS PARALLEL"
By:GilbƎrt Labo Obal

The Beatles: Earth's Greatest Band
The Eraserheads: Philippines Greatest Band
*
John Lennon- Oct. 9, 1940
Ely Buendia - Nov.2, 1970
*
Lennon- The enigmatic Genius Beatle 
Buendia- The enigmatic Genius Head 

Both Lennon and Buendia were credited as the founder and soul of their respective groups. And both possessed the iconic persona that few rockers have. They're both fiction writers, loved Elvis Presley and both play rhythm guitar.
*
Mc Cartney- The Charismatic Pop Icon
Marasigan- The Charismatic Pop Icon

Both McCartney and Marasigan never sticks to one genre of music,they are always reinventing themselves. They both love to collaborate with other artists. Both are also great with interviews. And lastly Raimund was the original bassist of the Heads  (Just like Paul).
*
Harrison- The spiritual quiet Beatle
Adoro- The spiritual quiet Head 

Both Harrison and Marcus Adoro mastered the art of Black deapan Humor. They always have that wacky one liners in every interview or situation. You can check both bands' past interviews and be delighted. They both play lead guitar.
*
Starr- Everybody's bosom buddy.
Zabala- Everybody's bosom Buddy.

Both Starr and Zabala have that friendly non-rockstar aura surrounding their persona, They're the easiest way to get to the whole gang. They're also best in collaborating with other rockstars. They're the human side of their three super brothers. Also, Buddy was the original drummer of the Heads. (Just like Ringo.)

The BeatHeads together in one photo.

1963- Beatles released first album 'Please Please Me"
1993- Ereaserheads released first album "Ultraelectromagneticpop!"
*
1964- Beatles conquered the world
1994- Eheads conquered the Phils.
*
1972- Beatles legal connections with each other ended thru a telegram.
2002- Eheads partnership ended thru a text message.
*
John Lennon called the break-up a "DIVORCE"
Ely Buendia called the break-up a "GRADUATION"
*
Isn't it also ironic that The Beatles FIRST album and The Eraserhead's LAST considered album both starts with PLEASE? 
Please Please Me(1963) 
Please Transpose (2003, With Kris Gorra Dancel.)
*
Some Beatles historians  blame YOKO ONO (Lennon's partner) as one of the different factors that contributed to the break-up. (Not true, of course)

Some E-storians blame DIANE VENTURA (Ely''s partner) as one of the different factors that contributed to the break-up.(Not true, of course)
*
Right after the breakup,Lennon's band was Plastic Ono Band.
Ely's present band is Pupil ( both starts with "P")
*
Paul formed Wings with his wife on the keyboard.
Raimund formed Sandwich with his wife on bass.
*
George practiced eastern religion(Hinduism)
And had a band called "Travelling Wilburys"
Marcus practiced eastern religion(Buddhism)
And have a band called "Markus Highway" 
(see the connection? travelling..highway? Hehe)
*
Ringo still performs with his All-Starr Band.
Buddy still performs with Pinoy  superstar band,The Dawn.
*


All members of The Beatles are composers and  lead singers too. Each of them have  songs credited to their names.

All members of The Eraserheads  are composers and  lead singers too. Each of them have  songs credited to their names. 

In the latter part of both band's career, whoever composed the song was also the one who took lead vocal duties.
*
The Beatles was first rejected in Liverpool clubs before they conquered the seminal Liverpool club "Cavern Club"

The Eraserheads was also rejected from "Mayric's" and other manila clubs before they conquered the seminal Quezon City club "Club Dredd" (Both clubs starts with "C')
*
The Beatles was first rejected by recording giant "DECCA RECORDS" because by that time, DECCA was looking for the next vocal group and told the Beatles "Guitar bands are on their way out."

The Eraserheads was also rejected by recording giant '"RJ RECORDS" because by that time RJ was looking for the next Andrew E. "We are not handsome enough and didn't even combed." jokingly quips Raimund of the event.
*
There was a hoax called "Paul is Dead"
Now there was a bummer called "Ely is Dead."
*
John Lennon Died at 40,
I'm just glad Ely didn't suffer the same fate in 2010
That finally broke the 30 years parallelism.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HAIL TO THE BEATLES!
HAIL TO THE ERASERHEADS!

LET'S COME TOGETHER WITH A SMILE!.
"WITH THE EHEADS" Spoof of "WITH THE BEATLES" (Art By: Gilbert Obal)
Eheads in LIFE Magazine, just like the Fab Four. (Artist Unknown)

Eraserheads: "Kamias Road." A spoof of the Beatles' "Abbey Road" .(Art By: Gilbert Obal)







Lunes, Pebrero 20, 2012

Gilbert Obal Photography

the city of gold

guitar maker

me

kangkong king

window beauty

the wife

bestfriends

me again

shy via

waiting for the hubby

sinag

amazing ceejay

napindan night

kalabaw
sunsetting

sunrise