After breaking the Internet with a teaser post, legendary OPM rock band Eraserheads revealed that they will have a reunion concert on December 22, 2022.
However, the controversy surrounding the Eraserheads lead guitarist Marcus Adoro has resurfaced, which, to date, has yet to be resolved. Now, there is a clamor from the fans of the band to seek accountability on Adoro’s part.
Moments after the band’s big announcement, Filipinos on social media started recalling Syd Hartha and Barbara Ruaro’s social media posts about the alleged physical, sexual and psychological abuse they suffered from Marcus Adoro. Syd is the daughter of Adoro; Ruaro is a former partner of the guitarist.
It can be recalled that on September 12, 2019, Syd, an indie singer songwriter, came forward with allegations that she was attacked by the musician multiple times. The post also contains screenshots of conversations she had with her father and her father’s ex-partner Barbara, an actress.
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Barbara also tweeted a photo of her with bruises around her eye. This was six days prior to Syd’s post.
“Domestic violence is not limited in terms of bruises. Psychological, verbal, and sexual abuse are also considered. I experienced all sorts of abuse under the hand of a narcissistic man.” The actress said in her post.
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Days after the post, it was reported that Marcus’s camp had asked Barbara privately to take down the post. But she declined.
“I will not be silenced; not this time. We will not back down.” Ruaro said in her tweet.
Never Forget
If there is something to be gleaned from our current internet culture, is that the internet never forgets. Fans and the general public have started calling out not only Adoro, but also his bandmates – Ely, Raimund, and Buddy–for being enablers of the former. There is a growing call for accountability:
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There are people demanding the other three members of the band to drop Marcus – or at least speak up regarding the issue.
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As of writing, no one from Marcus’ camp has responded to the unresolved allegations. However, Raymund Marasigan did mention during episode 76 of the Offstage Hang that he wants this issue to be resolved as privately as possible.
Should we separate art from the artist?
This now begs the question: Could you support an artist who has a history of being an abuser?
Some solid fans of the band are defending the band entirely, saying that their art should be celebrated regardless of their personal issues.
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Some argue that people can still enjoy good art from bad people. And we should be able to “enjoy the little things” because separating the art from the artist is a personal decision that everyone is entitled to.
But surely, there is a way to celebrate the music and artistry of the Eraserheads without glossing over Adoro’s issues, and should be first nature to any fan of any problematic artist or celebrity.
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Separating the art from the artist may be a personal decision. But let us be reminded that these “artists” profit from people who consume and celebrate their art. Our unbridled support lets them have power and control to get away from the issues they created, leaving their victims tormented. This should never be the case.
To put it succinctly:
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“No amount of nostalgia is worth any victim’s trauma.” This is something anyone should take to heart.
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