Catching up with Marcus Adoro

Catching up with Marcus Adoro

by rick olivares

When you think of former Eraserheads guitarist Marcus Adoro, you’d probably think of his Bohemian nature. He was one musician who didn’t care much for the trappings of success. He lived the life of relative obscurity when he relocated to La Union to live the life of a surfer.

“I became a Beach Boy,” he quipped last Tuesday night outside the Pablo Gallery inside Cubao X where former bandmate Rayms Marasigan and his electronic band, Squid 9, was holding a listening party for their new album. “I lived the life of what the Beach Boys sang about.”

Eventually, the music bug bit him and Adoro returned with Markus Highway that combines rock and surf music. “A soundtrack to my life at that time.”

Make no mistake, Adoro still surfs and he has his own hidey-hole in San Juan, La Union, but right now, he has his hands full on two other things.

Right now, Marcus is doing some bit acting with an actual speaking role in Timmy Harn’s upcoming film, Dog Days: Pinoy Hoop Dreams about an Amerasian chasing a dream that takes him on a journey.

“It’s a mixed genre that is exciting,” succinctly put Marcus who has had bit cameos and appearance over the years, but this one has more meat into the acting bones. “Meron challenges, but it is fun.”

And he also is putting a new guitar and blues-based band together. Adoro was only recently able to acquire a female lead. “Sa ngayon, aayusin muna namin yung mga kanta bago kami mag-gig or record.”

“Then, balik ako ng La Union this weekend – to surf.”

Marcus laughs.

You have to appreciate this musician who marches to the beat of his own drum; unmindful of trends.

We talk about Squid 9’s new album Circuit Shorts, and Adoro talks about his initial foray into the genre. “Nung na-introduce ako electronic music, I felt born again,” he revealed. “Alam ko lang mag-gitara, pero heto wala akong alam. Ang daming butones. Tignan natin kung ano kaya.”

Under the name, Electronic Coups, the music sounded at times like 1980s German band, Trio, and at times, ambient as Adoro made use of samples from ordinary noise like ceiling fans to GI Joe films. “Parang mood music din yung electronica. Kukuha ka ng inspirasyon sa pang-araw-araw na buhay.”

He admits to missing it and inspired by Squid 9’s new work. There was a gleam in Adoro’s eyes as he listened to the music. He raised his beer can in the direction of Marasigan and smiled. “I hope to go back into it. Maybe not soon, but in the near future.”

“Marami kaming mga hilig,” he said of his old bandmates. “Kahit naman si Ely (Buendia) at Buddy (Zabala). We all have our passions and we want to do as much as we can while we can. Meron ako mga interests na hindi ko basta basta na-share kasi mas low profile ako. But hopefully soon, regular na ulit yung tugtugan.”

Marcus also noted that his former bandmates have released their new work on vinyl and cassette; something he admits is on his bucket list.

“Soon. Soon. Sa tamang oras maglalabas din tayo. But who knows, maybe sa eight-track para todo na!”

Marcus Adoro laughed. He drank what was left of his beer and disappeared into the night.