Los Saicos: A Killer Garage

Technology being what it was during the ‘60s, it should astound even the most casual listener of rock and or garage at how much similarity there was between, let’s say, the Sonics over there in Washington State and any number of groups copping American attitude in the UK and its affiliated territories.

That being said, those two places – and even countries on the continent, Germany specifically – were able to crank out a huge amount of music that bore some striking similarities. That’s not to figure that these groups playing what would become known as garage rock were necessarily all just ripping each other off, but there was a weird moment in rock history when everyone figured the same thing out in the early to mid ‘60s.

As a result of that odd time folks might decide that ensembles from outside the access of western power that trucked in similar tones would just wind up being carbon copies of those better known groups. But that really wasn’t the case. What’s more interesting is the fact that because of the lack of interaction with different musical scenes, bands would frequently spring up without the benefit of hearing like mind ensembles. That was the case with Lima, Peru’s Los Saicos.

Originally Los Sáicos were called Los Sádicos, which translates to the Sadists. Being censored, the band simply dropped a single letter and began to release a slew singles between 1965 and 1966 that would mark the beginning of the Peruvian rock scene.

Apart from the fact that the band was an oddity at home – at first at least, since the group went on to be one of the most popular ensembles in the country - Erwin Flores (guitar and vocals) along with Rolando Carpio (guitar) wrote all of the band’s material. And really, no other group was doing that in 1965.

Regardless, Los Sáicos gigged around and even garnered enough popularity to have its own television show for a while. When band members perceived a slump in popularity, though, each went his separate way.

Over just that short period of time, Los Sáicos issued enough work to have it compiled as a lone, twelve track disc entitled Wild Teen Punk from Peru. Issued a few years back, Los Sáicos have been hailed by everyone including the Black Lips. Taking a listen to Los Sáicos “El Entierro De Los Gatos” most everyone should be able to hear the similarities between the Atlanta group and its forbearers. There’s a simple, yet endearing sense of melody alongside some sneering vocals that while still might be frightening to some are able to exude pop sensibilities somehow.

Unfortunately, Los Sáicos haven’t gotten back together – or even really had any sort of enduring history related. There is, however, a documentary in the works. Whether or not the film will be able to create a proper portrait of a group that’s credited with beginning Peru’s rock scene remains to be figured. But either way, hearing the band, even at this late date, is going to make some rethink the current blossoming of San Fran rock acts.