By Andrew Gilbert
San Francisco Chronicle
What started as a sonic obsession has turned into a righteous cause for Los Angeles band Dengue Fever.
Launched in 2001 by brothers Ethan and Zac Holtzman, the group devised its own riff on Cambodia's ebullient psychedelic rock sound of the late 1960s and early '70s. After recruiting Cambodian singer Chhom Nimol, a star in her homeland who was performing in Long Beach, the band devised a wondrously strange repertoire by seamlessly combining classic Khmer pop with twangy garage rock.
Now Dengue Fever is looking to highlight its initial source of inspiration, promoting the release of "Electric Cambodia" - a CD featuring 14 vintage Cambodian rock tunes culled from the band's precious stash of cassettes. Proceeds from the album will go to Cambodian Living Arts, an organization working to revive Cambodian art forms while also supporting contemporary artistic expression.
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