08.20.2008
OK COMPRENDE: Marcus Adoro on the Eraserheads Reunion Show
EVERYTHING'S NOT SAID AND DONE ABOUT THE EHEADS SHOW. MARCUS ADORO SPEAKS!
Spanning four separate conversations between the author and Marcus Adoro—practically the rock-interview version of Frankenstein’s monster—the following exchange documents the guitarist’s first talk regarding the rock show of the year (or the damn frigging decade even): the one-night-only Eraserheads reunion on August 30. The beach-nik of Markus Highway speaks at length about his old band, who made a premature exit of sorts after the heady, studio-savvy release Carbon Stereoxide in 2001. It was prompted, some say, by frontman Ely Buendia’s decision to leave, yet others say it was inevitable—like the death of a terminally ill person. The seven or so years the super-band has been apart, however, there came children, partners, new hairstyles, and, yes, new bands, none of which really deterred ‘Heads fans from voicing their rabid desire to see the biggest band of the Nineties share a stage even once more. Being low-key people with a high-profile existence must be an odd thing, I guess. There, of course, from mouths to ears to internet blogs, are the hushed murmurs about apparently-warring parties, about how seeing these guys together would be an impossibility of the highest order because of a long-standing feud, and so on and so forth. For the next couple of week or so, though, I am throwing journalism out the window: it is happening, after all. So, whichever straw broke the camel’s back—well, whoever has that straw can shove it, actually. And whoever says it’s “water under the bridge” should be glad there’s still water to speak of, wherever it is. Adoro recounts the ex-bandmates’ first meeting, their first rehearsal in almost a decade, as well as the things that changed, and, yeah, the things that remained the same. See you guys at the end of the month, and maybe I’ll write about that, too.
Aldus Santos: Anyway, what’s your take on the ‘Heads [reunion]?
Marcus Adoro: Alam ko naman na may ganyan, eh.
A.S.: But why did you think it's imminent or even possible?
M.A.: Kase sayang, [saka] kami lang ang nasa posisyon na ‘to, so parang responsibilidad namin na makita kung hanggang saan p’wede umabot yung spaceship. Tapos, naaalala ko, parang nuong 2005, nasa kotse ako ni [Prospero] Pichay; sabi n’ya, “Why don't you guys do it, if not for the money, for the fans, or for the fun of it?” Also, the planning stage and everything else takes five years.
A.S.: Okay.
M.A.: So, biglaan talaga ‘to, with just a little more than a month to prepare.
A.S.: How are the four of you, interaction-wise? It’s anecdote time, I suppose.
M.A.: Okay. S’yempre, nauna ako sa studio; sumunod si Buds [Buddy Zabala] tapos si Raims [Raymund Marasigan]. Nasa loob na ako at nag-set-up since wala akong tech pa; si Buddy nag-set-up with a tech, then pumasok si Raims. Nag-jam kame sandali; after two songs, sabi ni Raims, antayin na lang si Ely.
A.S.: Okay.
M.A.: Maya-maya, may announcement na and’yan na s’ya, tapos sumunod na ‘yung tech n’ya, nag-set-up. Napa-yosi ako. Then comes Ely, kinumusta n’ya lahat by patting each of our backs. Then we proceeded to rehearse na parang walang nangyari. We don't really rehearse “in the past.”
A.S.: Yeah. What was going through your head, and what were your first words to each other?
M.A.: Well, I mentioned [something] about wanting to get an electric twelve-string. “Sa’n ka kukuha nu’n?” Sabi ko, “Baka sa labas.”
A.S.: Describe the general atmosphere.
M.A.: Mas nakatingin kami sa mga suot naming sapatos saka, ano, eh, maong! “Ano ‘yung suot niyang maong?” “Ano ‘yung Converse niya?” “Uy, ang ganda niyan, ah!” “Pare, nagdala akong extra na damit, para ‘di tayo magkapareho; ‘pag nagkataon, magpapalit ako!” Pero pareho kami ng lonta!
A.S.: Who?
M.A.: Si Buddy. S’yempre ganu’n ‘yun, parang mga bata pa din, compare ng shoes [laughs]. Kahapon, tinanong ko kung ano isusuot ni Ely na sapatos; just in case mag-boots s’ya, boots din ako, ganu’n. Normal naman sa banda ‘yun, ‘di ba? Si Raims, s’yempre, sneakers guy ‘yun. Ako boots, pero s’yempre, Chucks ‘pag sila kasama ko.
A.S.: Did everyone know the material by heart?
M.A.: Not all the notes and chords [laughs]. I had a prior meeting with Buds, a sort of "rehearsal to the rehearsal," to borrow a quote from the Stones.
A.S.: Wow, just the two of you? What other musical issues did you guys encounter?
M.A.: Well, time signatures or bpm’s, and missed endings [laughs]. Si Buds, walang problema and ready with his gear. May ibang songs na iniba ‘yung key at areglo. It was fun relearning them again, parang binubuhay ‘yung muscle memories [laughs].
A.S.: How about Ely? How was he? He plays very differently with Pupil these days; how did he take on the old songs?
M.A.: Ely chose not to do other stuff muna, like a [certain] song with many words [laughs]. Pero it all went well.
A.S.: Cool, cool.
M.A.: Like Raims said in his blog, we did our assignments well. Nakaka-excite; I find joy in playing those songs again.
A.S.: Musicality-wise—your respective new musical personas, did these affect the rehearsal? Like, did Ely play in dropped tuning?
M.A.: Walang drop-D. Si Ely yata, ganu’n na mag-gitara, pero parang hindi. Nakatutok ako sa chords ko, and I was facing the other way—towards the mirror.
A.S.: What phase in the ‘Heads catalog are you most fond of? What phase excites you the most?
M.A.: Excited ako sa lahat, with the gears and the new guitars, and of course the whole thing.
A.S.: How about Raims? Does his drumming have a new character? What are the noticeable changes?
M.A.: It's the same with Raims, but now he plays with an ear muff?
A.S.: Gear and guitar—can you give me a lowdown?
M.A.: I bought a small Digitech and a big Digitech. I like them because they're black, and most of my things are black. ‘Di ko pa alam gamitin both, pag-aaralan ko muna ‘yung songs, then i-se-set up ko na ‘yung effects.
A.S.: Guitar-wise, will you have a rack of several?
M.A.: Rack of guitars? Yes.
A.S.: Gibsons and Fenders?
M.A.: Not so with Gibsons, pang-[Markus] Highway ang Gibson, but I might.
A.S.: Ah. So, it’s all-Fenders so far, for you? You mentioned you got a ’97 Strat [Fender Stratocaster].
M.A.: Hindi rin, I'm scouting for an acoustic and a twelve-string na electric.
A.S.: Okay.
M.A.: Masarap ‘yung Strat; ngayon lang ako gagamit ng Strat na U.S.
A.S.: Really? Wow.
M.A.: Sunburst. I really wanted it in black sana.
A.S.: So, you guys…
M.A.: Hindi kame nag-uusap; mental telepathy lang [laughs].
A.S.: Hang on, you weren’t really able to answer this: what’s your fave musical phase in the Eraserheads? I mean, when you jammed, what excited you most?
M.A.: Ah, wala naman sigurong fave phase. Gusto ko ‘yung last part, though [Carbon Stereoxide]; nag-trip out ako sa guitars du’n [laughs]. I had my studio set up then, so I really had time to tweak my effects. Nu’ng nag-jam kame, kalmado lang lahat; I mean, eight years yata kame huling nagkasama, so lahat nakatutok sa dapat gawin.
A.S.: You have a more bare-bones setup these days, right?
M.A.: For [Markus] Highway, we don’t use effects at all.
A.S.: Amp overdrive?
M.A.: Distortion level sa amp, then hina-hina na lang sa volume. The thing with Gibsons is you have the toggle switch na p’wede mo i-set ‘yung isa na clean, then ‘yung isa sa distorted level, so ‘yun, [you could] have the grunge setup without stomping on anything [laughs].
A.S.: What are your feelings about the band, now that you’ve decided to play this reunion show?
M.A.: Gusto ko lang magbigay. Party tayo, ‘di ba? Puta, ‘di ba? ‘Di alam ng lahat—para sa mga kids, ‘di ba? Gusto kong magbigay. [‘Tsaka] pumayag ako dahil tao lang ako, pare [laughs].
A.S.: How are you preparing for the thing?
M.A.: The usual—library. Ang importante, ‘yung ano, good vibes. Importante ‘yung good vibes, pare. ‘Yun ang pinaka-importante sa lahat. I'm preparing for it physically, I jog and swim at least every day, ‘tsaka I rehearse on my own s’yempre. ‘Tsaka, gear-wise, i-po-program ko na ‘yung bagong effects, ‘tsaka s’yempre kung ano hitsura ko [laughs]. And the guitars that I will use, isa-isa kong ina-acquire.
A.S.: That’s amazing—exercise, really?
M.A.: Oo, pare, binabasa ko ‘yung Keith Richards na bio, ganu’n din pala s’ya; nag-eexercise, pare. Of course, Mick [Jagger] jogs. Gaganu’n-ganu’n, pero grabe pala mag-rehearse si Richards.
A.S.: Cool. What stage are you guys in right now?
M.A.: May working set list na na sinunod; kahapon namin naayos.
A.S.: Any parting statement for the fans who’ve waited for this a long time?
M.A.: Put on your sturdy shoes at the gig [laughs]. Tamang, “Get ready to rumble!” ‘Tsaka thank you. Take care of your health and text your mom "I love you, Mama!" today.
TAGS: Eraserheads eHeads Eraserheads Reunion Concert Eraserheads Reunion Ely Buendia Marcus Adoro Bu
Coolness! \m/
Posted By: hermione on October 02, 2008 at 11:04
wow... apRUB! salamat sa interview na to, parang naalala ko lng ang mga interviews sa kanila b4 sa mga music mags... i love u MaRCUUUS!!!
Posted By: nic on August 20, 2008 at 20:35
