Los Saicos

Los Saicos were a Peruvian rock band formed in Lince Ward, Lima in 1964 by four amateur musicians just out of high school. They have come to be considered the most original and influential Latin American garage rock band of the 1960s. They released six singles (and no LP) between 1965 and 1966, all songs being originals by Erwin Flores (guitar and vocals) and Rolando Carpio (lead guitar).

Contrary to some myths, they were not aware of US garage rock or of the wilder British bands like the Downliners Sect; yet, even though they listened mostly to the best-known British Invasion bands (Beatles, Stones, Animals), they came up with a wild garage/surf sound that is unlike anything else recorded in Latin America at the time, and perhaps only paralleled by bands like the Sonics and MC5 in North America.

They were pioneers in writing their own Spanish-language songs, and they were also probably the only garage band anywhere to have been the most successful pop act in their country, as they were in 1965. Their anthem "Demolición" was one of the biggest radio hits of the year in Peru. They even had their own national TV program during 1965.

Los Saicos, who released all but one single through the small DisPerú label, unleashed "Saicomania" and led the way for dozens of bands throughout Peru. They have become legendary and many myths were created around their short existence and mysterious disappearance.

Recently they revealed that, once they perceived their fame to be waning in 1966, they simply decided to stop playing and began to live relatively "normal" lives, with two Saicos (singer Erwin Flores and singer/bass player César "Papi" Castrillón) eventually moving to the US and still living there. Sadly, Rolando Carpio passed away in early 2005. Drummer Pancho Guevara still lives in Lima.

In 2006, the surviving Saicos reunited in their hometown Lince Ward, Lima for some commemorations but have not played together in public since 1966. Erwin Flores reappeared in public in Peru after 40 years singing "Demolición" at a small concert with the garage band Manganzoides in May 2006 but this has not led to any new appearances or recordings. Their entire recorded legacy was issued on CD by the Peruvian label Repsychled in 2006, having remastered much of the material from original tape reels. Previously, an unauthorized 10" vinyl by Spain's Electro-Harmonix (1998) had compiled this same material but taking it from the 45 rpm singles rather than master tapes.