About Los Saicos

Los Saicos were a Peruvian garage rock band, formed in 1964. They released six singles (but no LP) between 1965 and 1966, all songs being originals by Flores/Carpio. Reportedly, they were not aware of the garage rock being played in the U.S. and the U.K., yet invented a wild garage/surf sound similar to that music. They were perhaps the only garage band anywhere to have been extremely successful commercially; in 1965, "Demolición" was one of the biggest radio hits of the year in Peru. They have become legendary and many myths were created around their short existence and mysterious disappearance. Recently, it was revealed that they simply decided to stop playing and began to live "normal" lives, with two Saicos (lead singer Erwin Flores and bass player César "Papi" Castrillón) eventually moving to the U.S. and still living there. Sadly, Rolando Carpio passed away in early 2005. Pancho Guevara still lives in Lima, Peru. In 2006, the surviving Saicos reunited in the Lince district of Lima for some commemorations but have not played together in public since 1966.