More than just participating in the mythmaking of the legendary band, Eraserheads: Combo On The Run also tears it down to get into the heart of it all.
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For every legendary, groundbreaking, revolutionary, and genre-defining artist comes the inevitable piece of media that immortalizes their legacy, whether it be a documentary, biopic, or both. So, it really was only a matter of time before Eraserheads got that treatment, and that time finally came with the arrival of the documentary Eraserheads: Combo On The Run.
The Diane Ventura-directed documentary, which takes its name after one of the band’s songs, explores how Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan came together during turbulent times to redefine the genre, sound, and culture of a generation while also delving into the members’ struggles among themselves and within them. For any E-Heads fan, this documentary is a no-brainer of a must-watch, but what makes the movie a compelling viewing experience is how it looks inward as much as it does outward to reflect on the band’s life and legacy that still resonates to this day.
AN OPEN CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Eraserheads: Combo On The Run can be divided into roughly two parts. The first part, which constitutes the first half of the documentary, follows the formation, rise, and success of the band. Following the People Power Revolution in 1986, we see how the group came together in the background of political turmoil and newfound hope (and fears) for the youth of the time. Through a mix of in-person interviews and archival footage, Combo On The Run pieces together how Eraserheads came to be, and, more importantly, what made the band stand out from their peers.
It’s been decades since the band arrived on the OPM scene, yet their music and influence are still felt today even among Gen Z. The band’s relevance to today’s youth mirrors that of their impact on the youth of the late 80s and 90s because, aside from writing about love, Eraserheads also centered their music on relatable topics like typical problems, worries, thoughts, and concerns of Filipino youth.
It also helped that the band members themselves weren’t your clean-cut boys who adhered to a certain standard. They didn’t fit in per se as they marched to the beat of their own drum, something that young people, no matter the generation, can relate to when it comes to following the status quo.
Watching the documentary, Gen Z viewers can see themselves in Eraserheads during their early years in how they started as a bunch of college kids who worked their way from square one, made music that reflected what they were going through, and treated fame and success with the unseriousness that wouldn’t be out of place in today’s generation. Add to that how nobody did OPM quite like Eraserheads, you have a group who find themselves relevant with the youth no matter the decade.
THEY WORKED IT OUT ON THE REMIX
By the time Eraserheads: Combo On The Run enters its second half, the narrative shifts to charting the band’s initial breakup and eventual reunion, and it’s arguably the best part about this movie. More than just participating in the mythmaking of the legendary band, Combo On The Run also isn’t afraid to tear it down to get into the heart of it all, and that’s admirable. The movie delves into, with help from the band members themselves, the fact that Ely, Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund weren’t really besties but more like co-workers who eventually were burnt out over each other.
Issues like resentment and lack of communication become running themes in member interviews on their falling out, and it provides intriguing insights and poignant reminders that Gen Z can learn from. Combo On The Run goes there with the difficult topics, most notably touching upon Marcus Adoro and his daughter, syd hartha, and the domino effect it caused among the members and with the band’s legacy in general. In as much as the band’s 2022 reunion was to unite a country following a heated presidential election, the reunion also served as a therapeutic moment for the band as we see glimpses of them making amends and beginning the journey to healing after years of animosity and awkwardness.
Eraserheads: Combo On The Run avoids becoming your typical music documentary because it understands that the story of Eraserheads isn’t just their iconic tracks, but also their struggles, issues, and redemption. The film isn’t just a history lesson or a nostalgia trip, but a timeless reminder that even the best of us can go through it, yet can still find our way back. As Gen Z likes to say, we love to see it. And with a new concert and music in the works, the music, artistry, and messages of Eraserheads will continue to hit.
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