DENGUE FEVER – “Cannibal Courtship”

When lead singer Chhom Nimol’s glossy lips gave way to powerful lyrics in Khmer and that strong, seductive voice I was immediately transported to another place in time. I was back in Phnom Penh. Dengue Fever’s sound and songs are so distinct, powerful and stir so many memories for me, I almost break into a sweat. It’s as if I’ve been bitten by a mosquito and infected with some form of musical virus.

Rarely in my experience has a band performed above and beyond my expectations especially when it comes to a live concert. Dengue Fever out-performed themselves on all counts at their recent show at Vancouver’s Biltmore Cabaret.  This was the group’s one Canadian stop on their “Cannibal Courtship” tour. They performed classic hits such as “Mr. Orange” and “1000 Tears of a Tarantula” in addition to tracks from the new album. Starting in LA, the band quickly moved up the West Coast stopping in Vancouver for a one night only performance. They are now traveling south to San Diego before heading eastwards where the tour will eventually culminate in the UK.

The trumpet sang and I thought I had heard a flute but wasn’t sure. I swung to my left and was pleasantly surprised to confirm what my ears had been trying to tell me. David Ralicke was actually playing a flute and rocking it as I never imagined that was even possible? I flashed back and recalled the first time I heard this sixties rock inspired music. It was playing on cassette in a Land Rover outside Phnom Penh. I was on my way to a photo job with my head hanging out of the window for some natural AC, still mindful of the sun burn I’d quickly receive. I asked my friend driving what this music was? I had never heard anything like it but it seemed oddly familiar. I was hooked right away and would soon be introduced to more Khmer music from that era as sung by Sinn Sisamouth, Ros Sreysothea and Pan Ron among several others.

Dengue Fever’s music is created in a spirit tied greatly to the past but forever driving forward and pushing limits as true artists endeavor to do. A number of songs from the sixties are also covered by the band and are a soothing and nostalgic reminder of times long since past. The band’s songs and lyrics deliver me to places around the Cambodian capital and countryside where I had lived, worked and even sang my first Karaoke tunes. I imagine Phnom Penh a decade earlier where only a few streets were paved, things were rougher, grittier and somehow more romantic accentuated by colonial architecture and coconut palms swaying in the breeze from the Tonle Basaac.

A large group of local Khmer were on hand to enjoy the Vancouver performance. Several of the young and even older guys were dancing and cheering in the front row. After being stirred into a furor by Chhom’s vocals and sequins they were more than a little keen to get up on stage with her for the finale and even managed to bust out some traditional Khmer dance moves. It was wonderful to see and really brought the performance full-circle for me. I couldn’t think of a better way to end the show.

Cannibal Courtship – Favourite Track – “Uku”

Band Members: Vocals – Chhom Nimol, Guitar – Zac Holtzman, Farfisa Organ – Ethan Holtzman, Bass – Senon Williams, Drummer – Paul Smith, Brass – David Ralicke

Sex With Strangers – “Frontier Justice”

Sex With Strangers rocked the Biltmore Cabaret Thursday night for the release of their new album “Frontier Justice.” The room was filled with the aroma of sex and sweat with sultry sounds stirring the audience into hysteria.

 Several months after meeting Hatch Benedict at a local Gastown bar, I was surprised to learn that he was  the lead singer in a band, or so he said. I’d never heard of the group and wasn’t quite sure what type of music they were creating. I actually thought he was having me on but after checking out “New City Anthem” on YouTube, any misconceptions I’d had were quickly dispelled. I was hooked on their electro sound and haven’t missed a local Sex With Strangers performance since!

It was curious how confident Hatch was when he handled questions or compliments from patrons at how similar he looked to Jack Black. He’d even been asked flat out what he was filming here in Vancouver? He  was always calm and cool in response with “Sorry, no that’s not me.” I think only someone used to being front and center could handle this attention so modestly where others would have definitely played it up. I never would have suspected that this seemingly quiet and recluse figure in the corner of the bar working on his laptop could project such an array of vocals and stir crowds into a virtual feeding frenzy.

Over time I was fortunate enough to meet the rest of the crew and learned they are all key in adding vocals to numerous songs. I’ve always wondered how hard it must be to produce, write, rehearse and perform original music on top of 9-5 jobs. These guys do it out of a sheer passion for their art and an immense respect and gratitude for one another. True artists at every turn and amazing performers.

I vaguely recall Hatch leaning down during a song and handing me his microphone at a recent Cobalt performance. I tried to swallow it and Hatch simply replied with “That’s Gross” and picked up the lyrics where he’d left off. Integral to Sex With Strangers performances is audience participation. The band members will not hesitate to manoeuver through the crowd at any chance they have, even inviting fans onto the stage for the last song of the show…inevitably leaving the crowd wanting more and more as was the case this past performance. You may occasionally hear the husky lead singer order seductively from the stage “Can I get a whiskey please.” Fans, please do your best to quench his thirst.

“Frontier Justice” tracks have even been added to my training playlist for the gym and they definitely add more than a little boost to my routines. This music gets me going. Favourite song – Track 7 Image of Lust

Couldn’t you imagine “New City Anthem” as the new song for our Vancouver Canucks?

Sex with Strangers band members:  Hatch Benedict, Magnus Magnum, Wedge Beavers, Isabelle “Bobbie” Dunlop, Dallas Archangel