I recently saw Santino, a new and upcoming Peruvian rockero at Perlas in Long Island. (Ok, it wasn’t that recent. It was July 31, 2006.) Nothing like the lovable, albeit pansy Pedro Suarez Vertiz, the forever chubby Gianmarco, or Libido, Peru’s only “real” Latin Rock claim to fame, Santino was… surprisingly good.

He has real lyrics that talk about the plight of illegal immigrants. Indiocumentado? That’s so clever! (Ehem, like “Fijate Bien’s” landmine thing?) But this is a more universal latino issue; don’t let Juanes find out. He can swoon the ladies. He has violin riffs and andean pipe playing. Ooooh, and he makes use of the Peruvian cajón, which is used in Peruvian criolla music. He’s all about Peru. Which is nice. He can rock hard; he can rock soft. He can do the whole “Cabas-cumbia-rock-pop” thing. (See Sonríe Mi Corazón.) But why was I left thinking he could have been much more?

Maybe it has to do with all the obvious comparisons to Juanes. (Who I had the fortune of seeing fifteen feet in front of me for $20 at THE WORLD in NYC almost five years ago.) And to a lesser extent, Cabas. I mean, Santino is good looking, has long sultry hair, is tall too. But even more important, he has good music, has a real sense for musical arrangement, good lyrics and a good voice.

But he dresses, how can I say, well, ugly.

His stage presence, is, well, slightly above non-existent.

Granted, it must be hard to come up now with Juanes being the god of Spanish Rock/Pop. But Juanes did it, and it’s not like he was a model. Juanes had his Colombia guitar. And really, he had this “I don’t give a fuck” attitude that chicks love and dudes respect. Santino’s certainly got the talent. I wonder what will come next for this Perucho.

His most recent release, Indiocumentado is available via iTunes. And his next performance is at PEACE COLLEGE in North Carolina on 09/08/06. (Santino is performing all over North Carolina… watch out. )

Image via / Santinomusic.com