Patricio Suárez-Vértiz returns to Arena Hash in concert in 2022. Will the band ever meet? He answers

Fame came to the youngest of the Suárez Vértiz before reaching the age of majority. Patricio He was just 17 years old when the first hits of Arena Hash they changed his life forever. Curiously, he had to spend the same amount of years away from Peru to seriously think about the idea of ​​reverting the songs that enshrined the band. And it is that, although it is difficult to believe, he is the only ex-member of the group who has never played these songs in his concerts. Twenty-eight years after Pedro Suárez Vértiz, Christian Meier, Arturo Pomar and Patricio himself decided to take different directions, a new version of “Stress” (1988) appears on You Tube, one of the singles that were part of the first album of the Peruvian musicians.

The idea of ​​this interesting project began to materialize just a few months ago, with Patricio already in Lima. “At first I was a bit reluctant because I never sang in Arena Hash “, confesses the author of” Disco bar “. But after an interview in Miami, thanks to the good comments and requests from his fans, he began to rethink the idea. Here are the details of Patricio’s new musical step with his band.

—Why did you choose “Stress” to start this project?

Because it is a song that sounds modern to this day. “Stress” called us to renew it. Each member of the band recorded their part and then we put it together. We made the video remotely and we launched it to see what happened. Suddenly, Pedro puts him in his nets and it was a bomb.

– Have you already decided what will be the next topic to be reverted?

We are in meetings to be able to choose the topic. But if all goes well, it could be that we launch it early next year.

“And what does that choice depend on?”

You can touch it at any time and you come out well standing. Other songs like “I caught a cold in Brazil” or “When the bed spins me around” marked an era too much.

– “Pedro Suárez Vértiz’s band” also plays songs from Arena Hash, obviously under the consent of your brother. But that you sing them, who were an important part of the group, becomes more relevant …

You know, I even forgot. But being a part of Arena Hash is not to be taken lightly and I took it that way for a long time. It was the public that made me see that it was important. For me this project is a way of paying homage to the group that made us known. I could have come 15 years ago and, in quotation marks, take advantage of the situation to revert the themes of Arena. I could do it, but I didn’t do it out of a matter of decency, each thing has its moment, its time. I have waited wisely, until finally I have listened to those who ask me almost daily. What we are doing is for the followers.

“Then the essence of the original group will remain.”

I don’t want to alter the songs.

—Your voice is similar to Pedro’s, especially in this version of “Stress”. Comparisons bother you?

It is that we are brothers. About comparisons for me are welcome. . Also, the four of Arena Hash have gotten used to this, it’s part of. If you don’t like comparisons, you better not make music.

—After listening to you sing “Stress” it is inevitable to think about how the other Arena Hash songs would sound in your voice. When could it come true?

We are working on the audiovisual production that is coming up for next year, but Behind me there is a whole story and I cannot present myself like that no more. I am the founder of Arena Hash, Pedro’s brother, Christian’s and Arturo’s friend. Also, when the band broke up I had three great hits: “Disco Bar”, “En la radio” and “A la playa”. Then he traveled to the US, recorded an album in English and returned to Lima 17 years later. I have all of that behind me, so I have to put it on the table with the production people to see how we order these 30 years of music.

“So we can say that Arena Hash’s legacy is more alive than ever?”

At the request of the public, yes.

– Is it possible that the members of Arena Hash will play together again?

We would love to, believe me. But when three are free one is busy. Coordinating times is a problem, it has been that way for years. It is stopping everything we do. But I tell you something, I never rule anything out.