Arena Hash
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Lima, Peru |
| Founder | Pedro Suárez-Vértiz |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Lima , Peru |
| Products | Rock music, Latin rock, indie rock |
Arena Hash was a rock group from Peru, established in Lima in 1984. Originating from the earlier ensemble "Paranoia," which was created by Pedro Suárez-Vértiz, Arena Hash rose to fame in 1988 with their hit single "Cuando La Cama Me Da Vueltas". Their sound combined elements of rock, latin rock, and indie rock, making them one of the most influential Peruvian bands throughout the 1980s and 1990s, highlighted by their signature song Y Es Que Sucede Así.
This band played a significant part in transforming Peruvian rock and became a symbol of pop, new wave, and ska rock genres throughout Peru and Latin America. Former drummer Arturo Pomar Jr. continues to honor their heritage through the production Y Es Que Sucede Así - El show.
Origins (1985–1987)
The inception of Arena Hash dates back to 1983 at Colegio María Reina Marianistas located in Lima’s San Isidro district. The name was conceived by Pedro Suárez-Vértiz and Álex Kornhuber, merging "Arena" (meaning beach) with "Hash" for its dual connotations, despite some initial hesitation about using an English term.
Their early style was rooted in garage rock, and in 1985 they recorded the hard rock single Difamación. This track received exclusive rotation on Doble Nueve 99.1 FM and achieved local chart success despite the absence of a record label. Although it marked their debut in the music industry, it was never featured on any album.
In 1987, Álex Kornhuber departed due to personal matters, with keyboardist Christian Meier joining at the start of 1988. The group then consisted of Pedro Suárez-Vértiz (vocals, guitar), Patricio Suárez-Vértiz (bass), Arturo Pomar Jr. (drums), and Christian Meier (keyboard).
Arena Hash Era (1988–1990)
From January to April 1988, the band released their first album titled Arena Hash. The initial single, Kangrejo (Sacudía), was succeeded by Cuando La Cama Me Da Vueltas, which reached number one on Lima’s radio charts, solidifying their status as one of Peru’s leading and most impactful bands. The album also included tracks such as Me resfrié en Brasil and No cambiaré, showcasing a new wave influence, alongside the hard rock piece Rompe-orejas that reflected their original sound. Throughout 1989, Arena Hash toured extensively across Lima and other regions, performing to packed stadiums and arenas. By 1990, they introduced the song Materialismo Sexual from their forthcoming second album; however, it did not achieve the same level of acclaim as their previous hits.
Ah Ah Ah Period (1991–1993)
In 1991, Arena Hash unveiled their sophomore album, Ah, Ah, Ah. The lead single and accompanying video for El Rey del Ah, Ah, Ah garnered significant attention. Another major success was Y Es Que Sucede Así, which swiftly climbed to number one on Peruvian radio stations. Other singles from this album included A Ese Infierno No Voy a Volver and the new wave ballad Cómo te va mi amor. The record also featured a fusion of new wave and reggae in the track Quiero vivir quiz sin amor. On May 15, 1993, Arena Hash delivered their final live performance at Colegio San Agustín’s coliseum as an opening act for Foreigner. After this event, the band disbanded so members could focus on solo endeavors.
Post-Arena Hash Developments
In 1995, a reissue titled Del archivo de ... Arena Hash was released; this edition included material from their debut album plus an additional track by Pedro Suárez-Vértiz and three simulated live recordings like Me Resfrié En Brasil. Pedro Suárez-Vértiz, who founded the band and served as its iconic lead vocalist, passed away on December 28, 2023, at age 54. In 2025, Arturo Pomar Jr. initiated the show Y Es Que Sucede Así aimed at preserving the musical heritage of Arena Hash.
Members
- Pedro Suárez-Vértiz (vocals, guitar) (passed away in 2023)
- Patricio Suárez-Vértiz (bass guitar)
- Christian Meier (keyboard instruments)
- Arturo Pomar Jr. (drums)
Albums
- Arena Hash (released in 1988)
- Ah, Ah, Ah... (1990 release)
- Del Archivo de... Arena Hash (compilation album, 1995)
Singles
- Difamación (1986)
- El Kangrejo (1987)
- Cuando la Cama Me Da Vueltas (1988)
- Me Resfrié en Brasil (1988)
- Stress (1988)
- Materialismo Sexual (1990)
- El Rey del Ah, Ah, Ah (1991)
- Y Es Que Sucede Así (1991)
- ¿Cómo Te Va, Mi Amor? (1991)
- A Ese Infierno No Voy a Volver (1991)