Alternatibong Pagkalalaki, Alternatibong Musika: Ang Eraserheads at Kulturang Popular ng Dekada ’90

Abstract

The rock band Eraserheads exerts a huge influence on the Philippine music industry, but does not carry a reputation for advocating progressive politics. Nonetheless, by analyzing their songs, especially those that did not enjoy popularity, one sees a rich discourse of critique targeted at the dominant notion of manliness. Although the band is famous for lyrics that favored the heteronormative definition of romantic love, they also have songs that break free from the predominant understanding of gender. Without dismissing the issue of commercialized popular culture, this essay seeks to revisit the Eraserheads’ discography to foreground alternative music that showcases alternative perspectives about manliness against the context of present-day Philippine society constricted by macho populism.