Weekly Gig Guide - Week Commencing Thursday 5th December 2013

Khmer drummer, singer, band-leader, bar-owner and businessman ‘Oscar’ came up with an alternative way to spend Pchum Ben holiday. Instead of taking a break from his busy schedule, he dedicated the long weekend to working on his latest property purchase – a derelict snooker hall on Street 51. Oscar worked tirelessly for days, removing unimaginable trash and detritus from the stinking, previously vacant site. He rebuilt, repainted and refurbished the hall with his own two hands. When he was finished, he had created a brand new bar and music venue that was much bigger and better than the existing Oscar’s Pub on Street 104. The paint was still wet as he proudly ushered in the first customers to take a look at the brand new stage and sound-system, flanked by huge murals of Rock’n’Roll icons.

Oscar inaugurates the live music venue with two gigs this weekend. He will open up on Friday with Oscar’s Band, followed on Saturday night by Rockabilly revivalists Joe Wrigley & The Jumping Jacks. Oscar’s Bar does not deviate from the decadent and dangerous Street 51 vibe – expect moody lighting, a boozy clientèle and hostess attention (unwanted or otherwise) to accompany the late night music action.

www.kenedgar.com

Each to his own. For Jack, the down-and-dirty, unpretentious and shameless aspects of the Cambodian bar scene are all part of the appeal. In a country where words like ‘Health and Safety’ and ‘Litigation’ are largely meaningless, where the sight of a uniformed police officer after dark is as rare as a blue moon, the night-life has an intoxicating hint of freedom. I always smile when, late at night, I see a newly-arrived Barang staggering drunkenly and happily down the street, revelling in his own personal revelation that you can do what the f**k you want here. Then I wonder how in the hell he will be able to make it home alive.

Sometimes it all gets a bit silly. Imagine my surprise this week when walking around my neighbourhood I witnessed a full-on brawl between two well known expat bands. Of course Jack would never name names, but the altercation took place in the vicinity of Riverside at an open mic night. From what I could gather the fight started with an argument over a singer’s microphone level. Everything was swiftly resolved outside with a tussle. The peculiar sight of an Elvis impersonator wrestling around in the gutter with a lead guitarist was perhaps the best entertainment I have seen on Street 172 for some time.

If any beef between the bands is still outstanding, it can be sorted out at Sharky Bar on Saturday. The gloriously irresponsible ‘Rock’n’Roll Beer Drinking Championship’ will bring together the heaviest of the boozy heavyweights – including Splitter, The Lazy Drunks and several other debauched acts. Bum N Draze have already been disqualified for improper use of drumsticks and stuffed alligator violations during Penhstock IV. Ambulances on standby.

In other news, credit has to be extended to Slur Bar for again hosting the must-see gig of the week, Reggae Muffin Festival. Four great acts for three bucks is not a bad deal. When the acts include Dub Addiction, Jahzad and Vibratone, it’s a no-brainer. Jack would advise an advance purchase on this one, tickets from Slur Bar or King Tao’s. $5 if you pay on the door on Friday.

Le Jardin remains off the beaten track for gig-goers, but this weekend the restaurant continues its commitment to putting on great al-fresco music in the early evening. Friday brings the first performance of Bacano (Colombian slang for ‘cool’). This quintet features Spanish rock music with an emphasis on groove and rhythm. On Saturday afternoon, Nas Bossalover will return to the restaurant for more of his exquisitely delicate Brazilian-flavoured renditions.

Thanks to KenEdgarphotography.com for the great pic of Brent Clark from The Jumping Jacks. Stay safe and see you around the traps,

JACK DIAMOND.

Latest Gigs

Thursday  5-Dec-2013

• 7:00 PM ~ The Bossa Lovers Trio at The Cabaret Restaurant
• 9:00 PM ~ Toma Willen and Philippe Javelle at The Groove
• 9:00 PM ~ DJ F.U.D at Meta House
• 9:00 PM ~ DJ Wez-T at The Backstage Cocktail Bar

Friday  6-Dec-2013

• 6:00 PM ~ Roddy Fraser , Carlos Fandango and Bacano at Le Jardin
• 8:00 PM ~ Tattoo Fundraiser at The Show Box
• 8:30 PM ~ Joshua Chiang at The Cabaret Restaurant
• 9:00 PM ~ DJ Poly-Threebeard and DJ Denoel at Meta House
• 9:00 PM ~ Red-I * and Soulflower * at Pontoon
• 9:00 PM ~ Dub Addiction , Jahzad , Vibratone and Skank The Tank at The Slur Bar
• 9:00 PM ~ Ace Duo at The Groove
• 9:30 PM ~ Rhiannon Johnson Quartet at The Doors
• 9:30 PM ~ Oscar's Band at Oscars Bar
• 10:00 PM ~ DJ Simon C Vent at The Backstage Cocktail Bar
• 10:00 PM ~ DJ Maurice at The Cherry Bomb

Saturday  7-Dec-2013

• 4:00 PM ~ Michelle Flemming , Daryl Roddick , The Whistling Djemberian and Dj Klang at The Otres Market in Sihanoukville
• 5:00 PM ~ Nas Bossalover at Le Jardin
• 8:00 PM ~ DJ Dan Maximilian at The Ebony Tree Restaurant
• 9:00 PM ~ DJ Flo Trallala and DJ Funkelastiks at Meta House
• 9:00 PM ~ Krom at The Doors
• 9:00 PM ~ DJ K'Dam at The Naga House in Kampot
• 9:00 PM ~ Ritchy & Phil at The Groove
• 9:00 PM ~ Rock'n'Roll Beer Drinking Championship at Sharky Bar
• 9:30 PM ~ Joe Wrigley & The Jumping Jacks at Oscars Bar
• 9:30 PM ~ The JMC Trio at The Slur Bar
• 10:00 PM ~ The Kimchi Collective at Emergency Room
• 11:00 PM ~ DJ Phatt Controller , DJ Sequence and DJ Kaotek at The Cherry Bomb

Sunday  8-Dec-2013

• 4:30 PM ~ Ringtail at The 3Mangos Guesthouse

Tuesday  10-Dec-2013

• 8:30 PM ~ Joey Paz at The Village

Wednesday  11-Dec-2013

• 7:00 PM ~ Box Poetry Slam at The Show Box
• 7:30 PM ~ Leon at The Cabaret Restaurant
• 7:30 PM ~ The Underdogs at The Score
• 9:00 PM ~ Cambo Diddleys at The Slur Bar

Coming Up

• The Cambodian Space Project at Equinox, The Doors
• The Fumes at Equinox
• Cambo Headbanger III Years Anniversary at Longbeach Hotel Plaza
• Marsyas at Equinox, The Slur Bar
• Jaworski 7 at The Slur Bar
• Jahzad at Equinox
• Vibratone at Equinox
• Billy Page at Equinox
• Station to Station at Paddy Rice
• 2 Shots and a Chaser at Paddy Rice
• Diego Demarques Trio at Equinox
• The Underdogs at The Slur Bar
• Laura Mam at Wat Opot Music Program in Kampong Speu
• Showbox Christmas Eve at Show Box
• BoxCrazy Party at Show Box
• DJ Tonle Dub and DJ Mercy at Meta House
• DJ Phatt Controller at Kukuluku Beach Club in Kep
• MR + MRS Rampling at The RiverHouse Lounge
• DJ Donabelle at The RiverHouse Lounge
• Vibratone, DJ Mat, DJ D'Tonn and R Drum at The Silk Garden in Siem Reap