Los Saicos - Success

Success

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 also had their own national TV programme during 1965. The band’s initial public exposure was orchestrated by Erwin’s younger brother, Harry, who arranged their introduction into popular radio and television media through his early contacts. It was on his recommendation to his brother, the lead singer, that he adopt his aggressive vocal “screaming” technique, which has become the trademark of the group’s notoriety, and made them the vanguard of punk expression. Harry Flores continues to promote and manage the group.

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 conventional lives, with two Saicos (singer Erwin Flores and singer/bass player César "Papi" Castrillón) eventually moving to the United States. Flores recorded two solo albums that were later shelved. He then moved to the metropolitan area around Washington, DC and worked for ten years with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), not before moonlighting as a salsa singer for a cover band in Maryland and Virginia. He is currently an executive for a pharmaceutical company. Coincidentally, Castrillón moved near Flores and they both became aware of their proximity only after a few years. Castrillón is semi-retired; he appears to have taught guitar classes in a church as a side activity.

Guitar player Rolando Carpio died in early 2005; he made a point of not telling his children about his musical past until they discovered the fact by themselves (as his son Rolando notes in the documentary about the band, Saicomanía). Drummer Pancho Guevara still lives in Lima.

Psychedelic garage punk band, The Black Lips have acknowledged Los Saicos as a major influence.