Wicho García and Daniel F: two survivors of the Peruvian subway

The two rock legends tell us the ins and outs of their career and their reading of the genre in the 21st century.

Wicho García, vocalist of Mar de Copas and former partner of Miki González, sits on one side of the table. On the other side is Daniel F., another of the essentials of Peruvian rock and owner of an extensive catalog that begins with his leadership in the band of the subway era, Leuzemia, but that today is with “s”.

These two Peruvian artists have known each other for almost 40 years. Both had their underground phase, Wicho García in Narcosis and Daniel F in Leuzemia, but this time they will be seen on the same stage.

Wicho anticipates that in this concert there will be some Mar de Copas “because it is inevitable” but to this repertoire some version of songs in Spanish will be added, something from Los Secretos.” He remembers that when he met Manolo Barrios, composer and leader of the band, “he only listened to more or less standard Spanish music. I brought him some things that blew his mind.”

In “Back to School Vol.1” there will be no “greatest hits” but there will be a lot of what moves them both. Daniel F and Wicho are moved by the progressive, the great names of rock from yesteryear.

THE OLD GUARD

“In each interview I have records to leave and help publicize new bands, new Peruvian artists, go to those local rock pages and you will find everything.” On the day of the interview, F did not have new albums on hand, but he says that wherever he goes there is always someone who gives him a new album, a new artist who arrives with some material that he has no way of making himself known. “We must take advantage of the spaces to support Peruvian music.”

They are recurring themes, endemic to Peruvian rock: the lack of support, piracy, the lack of an industry that consolidates the little progress that is made and then goes back ten steps. “In those times we walked, there was no money for the passage, for the rehearsal room. Hence, dreaming of playing on big stages, I don’t know how many things, is already nonsense,” says F, remembering the 80s, “the era of the boiling point of Narcosis and Leuzemia.” The latter somewhat more aggressive, the former more caustic in a sonic amalgam of screeching guitars, feverish drums and no bass.

Rock will be culture and “will never die” but this pair of veterans is clear: it is a way of life. “Some might say this music is dead, but it’s still there,” says Wicho. “200, 500 years will pass and what is well composed will always be there,” he says.

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