Way to go for this band from Diliman

Speaking to the media two weeks before their "Huling El Bimbo" reunion concert, Ely Buendia referred to the Eraserheads as "the band from Diliman" whose music had "punk roots."

On 22 December, Buendia and his cohorts Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro put on the grandest version of their rock-influenced Filipino alternative pop before an estimated 75,000 delighted fans at an open-air lot, the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque.

The show, which was likewise streamed online, had spotty moments in the early part — long gaps between songs, the band sounding tentative, and Buendia singing languidly. But then again, that was vintage Eraserheads to people who used to watch the group's early gigs at Red Rocks/Club Dredd. The band had not exactly been known to play live tightly.

Things picked up after a 20-minute break that featured a DJ set by The Diegos (Sandwich's Diego Castillo and Cambio/Pedicab's Diego Mapa).

At this point, Buendia spoke with a lilt to announce a "posse" joining the band on stage: General Luna's Audrey Dionisio on guitar; the Itchyworms' Jazz Nicolas, keys; Ciudad's Mikey Amistoso, acoustic guitar; four members of AHEB (Ang Huling El Bimbo the musical), back-up vocals; and Mel Villena conducting an 18-piece orchestra.

They proceeded to play seldom-heard tracks from the Eraserheads' seven studio albums, especially "Lightyears" (Fruitcake, 1996), which was given a symphonic flourish.

The original reggae arrangement in "Maling Akala" (from the debut Ultraelectromagneticpop, 1993) had a more festive flavor with a four-piece brass section.

From there, the elements that fueled the Eraserheads' rise as the country's biggest contemporary band were redefined, whether its younger fans heard them: counterculture spirit in "Alapaap"; cryptic lyrics in "Spoliarium"; sentimentality in "Minsan"; irreverence in "Pare Ko" (singer/actor Karylle spotted by video cameras spouting "'Tang-ina" with relish); and lyrical genius in "Magasin" and "Ang Huling El Bimbo."

Gary V, in a special appearance on lead vocals in "Christmas Party," highlighted the Eraserheads' holiday season relevance.

The story went that, during its starving years, the band would take a taxi from Club Dredd and get off before reaching its apartment since it didn't have enough cash (somehow rings a bell in "Magasin": "Pagka't kulang ang dala kong pera…").

They went on to make lots of money in their prime, and it's safe to say the 2022 reunion concert will make the four Eraserheads multimillionaires. The beautiful thing is, the guys have never stopped doing what they love in individual capacities — especially Buendia who runs a record label with exciting new talents while leading several bands.

Way to go for the band from Diliman.