Eraserheads: Combo on the Run
{{Short description|2025 documentary film}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Eraserheads: Combo on the Run
| image = Eraserheads Poster.webp
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Maria Diane Ventura
| writer = {{Plainlist|
- Maria Diane Ventura
- Aldus Santos
- Chuck Gutierrez
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Francis Lumen
- Maria Diane Ventura
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| music = {{Plainlist|
- Earl Drilon
- Atlas Glaas
}}
| cinematography = Hilarion Banks
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- Chuck Gutierrez
- Hilarion Banks
- Adrian Arcega
}}
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- DVent Pictures
- Offshore Music
- Voyage Studios
- WEU Events Management Services
}}
| distributor = Warner Bros. Pictures
| released = {{film date|2025|03|21}}
| runtime = 120 minutes
| country = Philippines
}}
Eraserheads: Combo on the Run is a 2025 documentary film about the Philippine rock band Eraserheads. It follows the band's story leading up to their reunion concert in 2022. The film is directed by Maria Diane Ventura. The title comes from the song "Combo on the Run" from the band's debut album Ultraelectromagneticpop! (1993). The film was released in cinemas on March 21, 2025.
Background
Considered one of the most influential and successful bands in the Philippines,{{cite web |last1=Reyes |first1=Juno |title=Eraserheads movie to hit cinemas nationwide in March |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/eraserheads-film-premiere-march-2025/ |website=Rappler |date=6 January 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}} Eraserheads first broke up in 2002.{{cite web |title=The Heads Rock (and Roll On) (Business World, June 2002) |url=http://www.schizo-archives.com/eraserheads/press/2002-6_businessworld.html |website=Schizo Archives |access-date=18 August 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Enriquez |first1=Clara |title=Eraseheads Split Up After Marcus Quits |url=http://www.mtvasia.com/news/Asian/Items/0211/0211024.html |website=MTV Asia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030212111302/http://www.mtvasia.com/news/Asian/Items/0211/0211024.html |access-date=18 August 2024|archive-date=12 February 2003 }} They later reunited for a series of reunion concerts in 2008{{cite web |title=Flash: Eraserheads reunite! |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2008/07/13/72677/flash-eraserheads-reunite |website=The Philippine Star |access-date=19 August 2024}} and 2009{{cite web |last1=Godinez |first1=Bong |title=Eraserheads to stage "Final Set" on March 7 |url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/20492/eraserheads-to-stage-final-set-on-march-7?s=q6ftm7hlolk6o8lq2cqqihr4s6 |website=PEP.ph |access-date=19 August 2024}} and have since made sporadic touring and promotional appearances in the country and overseas.{{cite web |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Ces |title=Eraserheads reunite! |url=https://sg.style.yahoo.com/tagged/celebrity/news/eraserheads-reunite-.html |website=Yahoo! News |date=29 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2024}}{{cite news |title=Smart brings together the Eraserheads to go all out for a new, complete prepaid offer |url=https://pop.inquirer.net/24695/smart-brings-together-the-eraserheads-to-go-all-out-for-a-new-complete-prepaid-offer |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=23 August 2016 |access-date=20 August 2024}}
In December 2022, the band held their third reunion concert, titled "Huling El Bimbo" after the song of the same name, at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City with an estimated 75,000 people in attendance.{{cite web |last1=Basbas |first1=Franchesca Judine |title=Eraserheads close historic 'Huling El Bimbo' reunion concert with 75,000-strong crowd, announce 2023 world tour |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/eraserheads-close-historic-huling-el-bimbo-reunion-concert-with-75-000-strong-crowd-world-tour-tickets-december-2022-2023 |website=Bandwagon Asia |date=23 December 2022 |access-date=21 August 2024}} The success of the concert led to a world tour for the next three years.{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Surej |title=Eraserheads announce North America tour this May |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/eraserheads-north-america-tour-2023-dates-tickets-3394911 |website=NME |date=9 February 2023 |access-date=21 August 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Geronimo |first1=Mika |title=Eraserheads brings back 'Huling El Bimbo' world tour in 2024 |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/eraserheads-hold-huling-el-bimbo-world-tour-2024/ |website=Rappler.com |date=20 June 2024 |access-date=21 August 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Radio |first=Qabayan |date=2024-10-02 |title=Legendary Filipino Band Eraserheads to Perform Live in Doha for "Huling El Bimbo" World Tour 2024 |url=https://www.qabayanfm.com/post/legendary-filipino-band-eraserheads-to-perform-live-in-doha-for-huling-el-bimbo-world-tour-2024 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Qabayan Radio 94.3 |language=en}}{{cite web|last=Purnell|first=Kristofer|title=Eraserheads adds New Zealand, Australia stops for ongoing world tour|url=https://qa.philstar.com/entertainment/music/2024/10/11/2391769/eraserheads-adds-new-zealand-australia-stops-ongoing-world-tour|website=Philstar Global|date=11 October 2024|access-date=27 November 2024}}
Vocalist Ely Buendia first teased the documentary in a 2023 interview.{{cite web |last1=Ursolino |first1=Katherine |title=Dancing Through Time: Ely Buendia's Musical Odyssey |url=https://hirayamagazine.com/dancing-through-time-ely-buendias-musical-odyssey-with-ang-huling-el-bimbo/ |website=Hiraya Magazine |date=October 2023 |access-date=24 March 2025}} The band later premiered the trailer for the documentary, directed by Buendia's former partner Maria Diane Ventura and named after the song of the same name, at the San Diego Comic-Con in California on July 2024;{{cite web |last1=Go |first1=Mayks |title=Eraserheads Premiere 'Combo On The Run' Documentary Trailer – Watch |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/culture/lifestyle/eraserheads-premiere-combo-on-the-run-documentary-trailer-san-diego-comic-con-watch-2024/ |website=Billboard Philippines |date=26 July 2024 |access-date=24 March 2025}} it was later released online.{{cite web |last1=De Jesus |first1=Totel V. |title='Eraserheads: Combo On The Run' documentary drops official trailer |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/915120/eraserheads-combo-on-the-run-documentary-official-trailer/story/ |website=GMA News Online |date=29 July 2024 |access-date=24 March 2025}}
Ventura described the documentary as "a comprehensive deconstruction of the band’s mythology, humanity, complex relationship and the lasting mark they left on Filipino culture — one that transcends generations and differences". It took three years to complete, she added: "Each interview revealed new layers and complexities, which found us constantly reframing to deepen the narrative." Post-production for the film was done in Germany and the United States.{{cite web |last1=Caballa |first1=Jason |title=The Heads Behind The Eraserheads: Combo On The Run Documentary |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/cover-story/the-heads-behind-the-eraserheads-combo-on-the-run-documentary/ |website=Billboard Philippines |access-date=26 April 2025}} It is also the first Philippine documentary to be mixed in Dolby Atmos.
Release
A work-in-progress version of the documentary was screened at the Manila International Film Festival on March 4, 2025, with Ventura in attendance.{{cite web |title=Eraserheads documentary opens Manila International Film Festival 2025 |url=https://usa.inquirer.net/167582/eraserheads-documentary-opens-manila-international-film-festival-2025 |website=Inquirer USA |date=3 March 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}} It was then released in Philippine cinemas on March 2025.{{cite web |last1=Saulog |first1=Gabriel |title='Eraserheads: Combo On The Run' Documentary Film To Premiere In Cinemas This March 2025 |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/music/news/eraserheads-combo-on-the-run-documentary-film-to-premiere-in-cinemas-this-march-2025/ |website=Billboard Philippines |date=6 January 2025 |access-date=6 January 2025}} Initially planned for a limited release from March 21 to 23, its theatrical run was extended to the following weeks due to popular demand.{{cite web |title='Eraserheads: Combo On The Run' extends theatrical run for another week |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/940323/eraserheads-combo-on-the-run-extends-theatrical-run-for-another-week/story/ |website=GMA News Online |date=24 March 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}} The band held a surprise performance at a sold-out screening in Quezon City.{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Jansen |title=Eraserheads surprises fans with live performance at sold-out 'Combo On The Run' screening |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/121096/eraserheads-surprises-fans-with-live-performance-at-sold-out-combo-on-the-run-screening/story |website=GMA News Online |access-date=24 March 2025}}
At the end of the documentary, the band announced an upcoming concert called Electric Fun Music Festival to be held at SMDC Festival Grounds in May.{{cite web |last1=Junaini |first1=Hidzir |title=Eraserheads announce 2025 festival and new music during 'Combo on the Run' end credits |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/eraserheads-announce-2025-festival-new-music-at-combo-on-the-run-end-credits |website=Bandwagon Philippines |date=21 March 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}} They also teased new music, their first since 2014's "Sabado" and "1995". Commenting on the announcements in a press conference, Buendia declared that the band is "here to stay".{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Cris O. Jr. |title=Ely Buendia Declares Eraserheads Are Back for Good |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/21/ely-buendia-declares-eraserheads-are-back-for-good-1059 |website=ABS-CBN |access-date=24 March 2025}} Electric Fun was later rescheduled to October in order to "make the experience even more memorable" according to the organizers.{{cite web |last1=Reyes |first1=Juno |title=Eraserheads’ Electric Fun Music Festival rescheduled to October |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/eraserheads-electric-fun-music-festival-rescheduled-october-2025/ |website=Rappler |access-date=30 April 2025}}
Reception
Billboard Philippines regarded the documentary as "a moving documentary for the younglings discovering their music and longtime fans reconnecting with the songs that defined their generation".{{cite web |last1=Regis |first1=Ralph |title='Eraserheads: Combo On The Run' Is A Trip Behind The Soundtrack Of A Generation — Review |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/culture/lifestyle/eraserheads-combo-on-the-run-is-a-trip-behind-the-soundtrack-of-a-generation-review/ |website=Billboard Philippines |date=21 March 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}} Rappler pointed out the documentary's setup of the band members's individual interviews, adding: "The members largely didn’t know what each one was saying, and in the final product, that wonderfully leads to 'a-ha' moments for the viewer."{{cite web |last1=Gonzales |first1=Gelo |title='Eraserheads: Combo on the Run' spoiler-free review – Setting the record straight |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/eraserheads-combo-run-spoiler-free-review-setting-record-straight/ |website=Rappler |date=18 March 2025 |access-date=24 March 2025}}
References
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