You got to give the Black Lips credit. While they could have easily pilfered the sounds of Los Sacios and not uttered a sound, they are eager to give credit to the lesser known but highly influential Peruvian band whom they obviously have a heavy debt. Los Saicos, whose total output is a handful of 45s from the early ’60s, play the kind of swirling psychedelic rock and roll that has been popularized by the Lips under the guise of “flower punk.” The guitars ring, the drums are pulsing and the vocals and more full-throated emotion than well executed precision. While the Black Lips have put out more albums than the Saicos put out singles in their career, the monumental influence Los Saicos had on the band and the whole Garage Rock sound is clear. You can sense the urgency from the band in their mid ’60’s recordings, especially the the frantic “Salvaje” and the deranged surf rock of “Demolicion.” While the band was plainly ahead of their time and probably missed out on much deserved world-wide acclaim (although they were big in Peru), their music is good enough that it has stood the test of time and sounds as great today, nearly 50 years after it was created.

Los Saicos “Demolicion” (mp3)
Los Saicos “Salvaje” (mp3)

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(uncredited photo via MySpace)