Anyone out there looking for a punk n roll band and thinking they have all been found? You have likely not explored Peru. I know I had not until I stumbled upon Los Flechados. With a sound that feels like 50’s rock filtered through the Ramones with some touches of the Backyard Babies Humpers, and others, they should not be just Peru’s secret as I know they have potential fans all over the world. I believe this full-length album was released several years ago in Peru, but it appears to have just got a new lease on life through Alive Music. ‘Revolucion’ is a brand-new song and was what I first heard by the band a few weeks ago. These releases are going to be digital only right now, but the band is looking for a label to release them on vinyl. Hopefully, someone sees this one way or another to make that possible.
Let’s start with ‘Revolucion’, where the band release a scorching song with a killer hook that makes me want to go storm the streets of Lima. The guitar riff jumps out of the speaker, and the vocals fit like a glove. Hopefully, the band will have more new songs soon, as this one immediately entered my Songs of 25 playlist and has been on repeat a lot.
The new song sent me looking for more, and I found ‘Lejos de Esta Ciudad’ which is an awesome album. ‘Vicio’ kicks things off with a hint of old Rancid punk with terrific, shouted backing vocals. The production allows everything to be heard in the mix. There is no let up with ‘Radio Punk Rock’ providing a hook filled timeless guitar riff over a punk and roll frame. That leads us into their new video for the title track, where the band dials it down just a little bit to create another hook filled monster of a song. If you don’t speak Spanish, people may soon think you do, as you will be singing along to these songs in no time.
The band moves from strength to strength with ‘Mi Corazon’ starting with a Ramones-style count to the song. There is a passion to these songs that transcends the music itself. You can feel it bleeding through the speakers. I love the guitar licks that pop up across the song. If your fist is not in the air and you are not singing the chorus, make sure you are not freezing cold, and there is not a tag on your toe. ‘La Rockandroll’ (sic) is a 100-second stomper that again reminds me a bit of Rancid with generous sprinkles of the Humpers. Wrapping up what will hopefully be side 1 of a 12” album is ‘Muriendo en Mi Ley’, which feels like Chuck Berry’s guitar cutting across the mix and leading to another catchy chorus.
Kicking off side 2 (let’s will it into existence) with ‘Ya No Quiero Ser Tu Perro,’ the band takes us back about 70 years for a rock-a-billy flavored rocker with horns. There is no let up on the album as the band just unleashes gem after gem. The sax solo here provides a nice new flavor to the album, and the guitar solo mandates playing the air guitar to it. ‘Destruir’ brings us back to another punk and roll ripper. It’s not hard to think of a large crowd headbanging in unison to it. Up next, ‘Fuerza Rojinegra’ front loads a hook to maximum effect before the song starts. The band gradually increases the tempo before changing gears completely to deliver another killer song. The chorus comes from the school of the Ramones with more sax here to take the song to another level.
At the final quarter pole, we start with ‘Agonizando’ where the guitars deliver a great melody. This is another one that will have you singing along to it in no time. ‘En Una Prison’ embodies the spirit of rock and roll with the vocals taking front and centre through the verses and leading into a glorious hook-filled chorus. Get those drinks in the air for this one. Closing out the album ‘Fuguemonos de Clase’ brings some snotty-sounding 77-style punk that takes elements of the U.K. Subs and puts it through their own blender.
I strongly believe music is a universal language. Los Flechados have delivered songs crafted from their heart and soul. There is a large audience across the world that is just needs to learn about this band. Give these songs a listen and tell your friends you know will like it. Let’s help get these songs heard across the world and help the band play some shows outside of Peru. Let’s also get their name in front of some people who can get these songs pressed on vinyl. That album cover illustration should be 12×12.
‘Revolucion’ and ‘Lejos de Esta Ciudad’ are available digitally.
Author: Gerald Stansbury
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