Peruvian star rocks fiesta

Often clad in tight leather while ripping fiery guitar riffs and head-banging with his long, dark hair, Santino Delatore is the epitome of a rock star.

He's just one of the draws at this weekend's La Fiesta del Pueblo, billed as the largest Latin American festival in the Carolinas. Santino plays Saturday at 5 p.m. on the main stage and Sunday at 4:45 p.m. on the Cafe Teatro.

Despite his sultry looks and sexy accent, critics and fans say the 30-something musician is more than eye candy.

Santino, who grew up in Lima, Peru and shares Latino and Italian heritage, began composing songs for a small rock band when he was 14. He later became vocalist for Fragil, a popular progressive rock band that toured South America.

"Music has always been an important part of my life ... it's in my blood," Santino said. "I used to rehearse in my bedroom as a kid. Sometimes the neighbors would ring the bell and no one would hear them because my music was too loud."

In the mid-1990s, Santino moved to Los Angeles, where he landed gigs at venues such as Universal Amphitheatre and the House of Blues.

Last year, he released his first solo album, "Indiocumentado," to rave reviews.

Movie fans may have heard his blazing riffs on the song "Infierno"on Steven Spielberg's 2005 blockbuster "War of the Worlds."

He's also set to appear on another movie soundtrack. His Spanish rendition of the 1970s hit "Kiss You All Over," was selected for this fall's "Employee of the Month," a Dane Cook-Jessica Simpson comedy.

"The song plays during one of the last scenes when one character drives up in an old red car listening to the original version of 'Kiss You All Over,' and then a Latino guy pulls up listening to my version of the song," Santino said. "It was fun to record it."