Their first record, “LOS PERICOS” released in 1988 was the best selling album of the year, obtaining Triple Platinum Award for its 180 thousand units sold.
One year later, they recorded KING KONG, produced by Herbert Vianna (OS PARALAMAS DO SUCESSO). Immediately after, they launched Maxi ANFITREU, a vinyl disc that impacted because of its unique style.
In 1990 LOS PERICOS launched their third studio record RAB A DAB STAIL and they went on tour, performing several live concerts around Argentina, highlighting the two shows at the LUNA PARK Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Their 4th album, BIG YUYO, was launched in 1993. In it PERICOS, showed a strongly predominant musical sound reflecting their own identity with songs such as: ME LATE, WAITIN, HACE LO QUE QUIERAS, etc. They caused a surge of popularity across Latin America countries chartering successfully.
That same year LOS PERICOS were invited to participate in the 6th INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL REGGAE SUNSPLASH Edition, taking place annually in JAMAICA.
In 1994 they performed again in the INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL REGGAE SUNSPLASH and closed the WORLD BEAT NIGHT. Rita Marley invited them to the TUFF GONG RECORDS studios, where BOB MARLEY used to record.
That July, they enthusiastically embarked on a tour through the United States including the cities of Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston, after finishing the recording of their 5th album in that country.
With the released of PAMPAS REGGAE, tours across Latin America and the sales of their records continued to increase.
Their sales reached more than one million copies worldwide.
Their 6th album, YERBABUENA, was released simultaneously in every country of LATIN AMERICA, the UNITED STATES and SPAIN.
In March 1997, PERICOS was the only Latin America band invited to participate in the reggae tribute to The Police and recorded, together with STEWART COPELAND: DARKNESS, included in Regatta Mondatta album. They also participated in the latin tribute to The Police: Outlandos D´America.
On the 28th of December 1997, they celebrated their 10 years anniversary with a free live outdoor concert, supported by the GOBIERNO DE LA CIUDAD DE BUENOS AIRES, for more than 120,000 people.
1998 started with a couple of shows across Central America and Venezuela with a live concert in MARGARITA ISLAND for 140,000 people and a performance with a record audience of 180,000 people at the FESTIVAL EXPERIENCIA ROJA in CARACAS.
By mid July they started recording their next album at their own studio, ROBLEDO SOUND MACHINE. They travelled again to Caracas, but this time to the 50th anniversary celebration of the UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARATION (at La Carlota Airport), organised by AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL.
On 27th of November 1998, they released MYSTIC LOVE and the videoclip of its first cut, SIN CADENAS.
The presentation of MYSTIC LOVE was on AUGUST 31st and September 1st at the OPERA THEATRE, both performances were absolutely SOLD OUT without having the opportunity to add shows due to the theatre’s lack of available dates.
In November they started the 5th Mystic Love Tour including the cities of NEW JERSEY, QUEENS, MANHATTAN and MONTREAL. That was the first time an Argentinean band reached this Canadian City and obtained stunning reviews in TORONTO, where they presented a very hot show in spite of low temperature.
At the beginning of 2000, LOS PERICOS gave a show at RIVER PLATE STADIUM celebrating THE NEW MILENIUM for an audience of 75,000 people.
LOS PERICOS began mixing a new album, a tribute to the 1008 shows performed until such time, called: 1000 VIVOS.
During 2001 they continued with their shows across the continent and were invited to close the 2001 VIVE LATINO edition.
In 2004, the Argentinean band with 17 years of successful path, surprised its fans by changing their vocal scheme; with Juanchi Baleiron switching from lead guitar to vocals.
With a completely fresh approach, fuelled by the beginning of a new stage of change and challenge, they presented a live show with a more compact scheme, reinforcing their reggae-rock format.
More than two million records were sold and 1600 live shows performed, rocketing LOS PERICOS as one of the MOST IMPORTANT BANDS in the history of LATIN REGGAE/ROCK.
In August 2005 the band released its new album called "7" with performances across Latin America.
In 2006 the band went on one of its most important tours. They performed in México, Uruguay, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela, Canadá, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Salvador and Perú; more than 140 shows in a year.
2007 starts with the Argentinean summer tour , performing in this country’s most popular vacation destinations. In April they returned to Mexico for the Reggae Music Fest featuring Pato Banton in their set. During May they closed the International Festival of Veracruz, and had a show for 50,000 in Caracas Venezuela.
PERICOS is currently working on new material to be released this November.
Darkness
Los Pericos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't see any flaws till I get to my feet
I wish I never woke up this morning
Life was easy when it was boring
I could make a mark if it weren't so dark
I could be replaced by any bright spark
But darkness makes me fumble
To a door
That's wide open
Instead of worrying about my clothes
I could be someone that nobody knows
I wish I never woke up this morning
Life was easy when it was boring
I can dream up schemes when I'm sitting in my seat
I don't see any flaws till I get to my feet
I wish I never woke up this morning
Life was easy when it was boring
The lyrics to Los Pericos's song Oscuridad paint a picture of a person who is struggling to find their way in the world. The song speaks to the idea that sometimes life is easier when it's boring because it allows for a certain level of comfort and stability. The lines "I can dream up schemes when I'm sitting in my seat, I don't see any flaws till I get to my feet" suggest that the person is able to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems when they have time to think, but when they actually have to put those ideas into action, they stumble and struggle.
The idea of darkness is also present throughout the song. The lines "I could make a mark if it weren't so dark, I could be replaced by any bright spark, but darkness makes me fumble for a key to a door that's wide open" suggest that the person feels as though they have potential but are struggling to see the way forward. They know that they have the skills and abilities to make a difference, but they are held back by a sense of lost direction.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea that life is not always easy or straightforward. Sometimes, it's hard to see the way forward, and we can feel lost and unsure of ourselves. However, even in these moments, it's important to keep dreaming and scheming, as that may be the key to finding our way.
Line by Line Meaning
I can dream up schemes when I'm sitting in my seat
I have lots of ideas when I'm not actively doing something
I don't see any flaws till I get to my feet
I don't realize my own faults until I start trying to do something
I wish I never woke up this morning
I regret waking up and facing the challenges of the day
Life was easy when it was boring
Life was simpler when there were no challenges or excitement
I could make a mark if it weren't so dark
I have the potential to succeed but the current circumstances are holding me back
I could be replaced by any bright spark
I feel like I'm not unique and anyone could do what I do
But darkness makes me fumble
The darkness represents the unknown and it makes me uncertain and hesitant
For a key
I'm searching for a solution or answer
To a door
To a new opportunity or path
That's wide open
It's an opportunity that is easily accessible and available
Instead of worrying about my clothes
I'm focusing on unimportant, surface-level concerns rather than the bigger picture
I could be someone that nobody knows
I have the potential to be great and make a difference, but I'm not there yet
Writer(s): Stewart Copeland
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.