Reliving the ’90s with the Lemonheads in December

Here's an early Christmas treat for fans of ’90s pop music.

The music industry’s appreciation of the music from that decade has been evident through a slew of reunion gigs and comeback records (not to mention the trend revivals of tie-around-the-waist jackets and distressed loose denim). Just this year, concert halls were momentarily re-graced by some of the country’s own ’90s acts. In April, PinoyTuner, a pioneer in local Internet radio services, brought back Filipino-American pop rock quartet Moonpools & Caterpillars for their first show since 1996. The following month, they awoke well-loved grunge group Teeth from their 13-year dormancy.

And this December, PinoyTuner will culminate 2014’s alternative rock sentimentality with the much-awaited arrival of The Lemonheads.



Formed in 1986, The Lemonheads made their way into the consciousness of music fans via underground punk clubs. They furnished three albums with independent label Taang! Records: "Hate Your Friends" (1987), "Creator" (1988), and "Lick" (1989), all of which carried a sound that soon evolved into what is now widely known as grunge.

In 1990, they released their first major-label LP, "Lovey", under Atlantic Records. But it wasn’t until 1992 that the band became mainstream sensations with their breakthrough album "It’s a Shame about Ray," followed by "Come on Feel the Lemonheads" (1993) and "Car Button Cloth" (1996). Their music exuded a vibe that was unmistakably pop, with thick jangly riffs, a country croon, and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics.





Although having undergone a number of lineup changes over the years, lead vocalist Evan Dando remains The Lemonheads’ constant variable to this day. Through his efforts, the band was resurrected in 2006 with a self-titled record after a hiatus starting in 1998.

Recently, the band's popular cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” which was featured in "Wayne’s World 2" (1993), also made an appearance in last year's Leonardo DiCaprio vehicle, "The Wolf of Wall Street."

The band's latest release, "Varshons" (2009), is an eleven-track LP of covers, including one of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”, and featuring guest vocals from actress Liv Tyler and supermodel Kate Moss.



As news broke that The Lemonheads were going to tour Asia this year, fans began wishful speculations of a possible one-night-only with Dando and co. on local shores. “When we heard The Lemonheads were going to be around the region, we simply made a strong effort to get them to play for longtime fans who’d been waiting for them,” said PinoyTuner content director Joey Dizon.

Their concert at Whitespace on December 4 will even be opened by two of the country’s ‘90s-bred Lemonheads-influenced groups, the Itchyworms and Ciudad. (Fans of the latter may be familiar with frontman Mikey Amistoso’s Hannah & Gabi, a solo side project named after a Lemonheads song from the album It’s a Shame about Ray.)

To quote a Lemonheads sing-along favorite, “It’s about time.” — BM, GMA News

Tickets are available at TicketWorld and at the PinoyTuner headquarters at R&D Building, 7615 Guijo Street, San Antonio Village, Makati. For reservations, e-mail tickets@pinoytuner.com or call +63-916-448-0728 / +63-916-242-7994.