FRI 27 | Many of us most closely associate the golden era of Khmer music with the nostalgic vocals of Sin Sisamouth and Pan Ron, perhaps accompanied by some cute visuals of bopping teens in their Sunday best. While this is a likely scene from a ‘60s dance club, a different, less prevalent music scene was taking off on stages across the Kingdom. With a wave of American and British rock musicians taking the world by storm, Cambodians embraced this contemporary rock scene. None did more so than the members of the Drakkar band, who formed their group in 1967 after being influenced by such rock musicians as The Rolling Stones and Deep Purple. After starting out on a high, playing at elite social events and embassies, the band’s success continued to skyrocket, eventually leading them to produce a best-selling album in 1974 and become the first Khmer rock band to be aired on Cambodian television. Forced to disperse upon the takeover of the Khmer Rouge, the band’s name persisted through the most difficult years in the country’s history, reforming with several new band members after the country regained control in 1979. Drakkar will perform their original songs at Sharky Bar on Friday before commencing their US tour in April.
WHO: The Drakkar band
WHAT: Live Khmer rock
WHERE: Sharky Bar, #126 St. 130
WHEN: 8pm, March 27
WHY: Actual legendary rockers from
the ‘70s