Eraserheads’ Ultraelectromagneticpop vinyl release slated for October, November release

Eraserheads’ Ultraelectromagneticpop vinyl release slated for October, November release

by rick olivares

“They’re home.”

Musician Ely Buendia tweeted those two words last September 26 after the much anticipated vinyl repressing of the Eraserheads’ debut Ultraelectromagneticpop finally arrived after a delay of nearly a year.

Last 2018 was the 25^thanniversary of the Eraserheads’ debut album. In order to celebrate the seminal release that opened the door for a multitude of Filipino alternative bands to be heard by the general public, the vinyl version was planned. However, according to the vinyl album producers, the record had to undergo two test presses before being approved.

Ultraelectromagneticpop was recorded on a shoestring budget and the production didn’t seem very good. Fans have wondered how famed American audio engineer Bernie Grundman would cure some of the sound. The final test press was played during this year’s Record Store Day celebration at the Newport Mall in Manila.

“It feels kind of like the first time that the album came out on compact disc and cassette,” reflected Buendia to this writer. “I’m excited for the band’s debut to have a new life on vinyl, and I’m positive that young and old fans alike will find something new to love about this release.”

Insiders say that the original plan was for the band to re-record Ultraelectromagneticpop in its entirety. “That would have changed the way the songs were played because everyone is 10 times a better musician now, and they would record it the way it was meant to be,” divulged the person familiar to this project. “They couldn’t agree on the format of its release so they decided to keep it to the original recording.”

Sony Music Philippines officials are currently finalizing plans for the release and launch of the album which is said to have a limited run of 2,5000 copies. Word has it the record will finally go on sale this October or early November.

The first release of Ultraelectromagneticpop is said to have sold over 100,000 units. However, it isn’t the Eraserheads’ biggest selling albums. Cutterpillow, their third offering is the fifth best-selling album in Original Pilipino Music history with numbers ranging over 400,000. Circus, the second album, sold over 200,000 copies while Eraserheads Anthology also sold almost the same number. 

The best-selling OPM albums ever are owned by pop singer Jose Marin Chan whose Christmas in Our Hearts and Constant Change records have each moved nearly a million units.