Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” highlights the musician’s life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad. We’ll provide an intimate look into what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting for a flight with the same people for hours on end. It takes a certain state of mind to survive any lengthy tour. Yet it’s the memorable experiences that make life on the road ultimately rewarding, if not interesting. This week we highlight the Khmer psych band, Dengue Fever who braved a strange cult commune in Sedona and food poisoning in Cambodia in their quest to bring a unique brand of rock to the world music circuit.

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
Dengue Fever – “One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula”

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“One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula” is one of my favorite live songs to play because it’s always slightly different and there is room to improvise.   I like driving the organ tone with a little delay while [David] Ralicke freaks out on one of his horns.  When the groove kicks in it reminds me of some Hendrix rhythm section.  The lyrics are heavy, based on a Khmer Rouge horror story about a Cambodian female singer who was forced to strip naked and sing in circles under the hot sun until she dropped.  The singer was from Battambang, Cambodia, where Chhom Nimol came from.

EM: What city did you most enjoy while on tour? And why was it memorable?

Istanbul. Half of the city is in Europe and the other half is in Asia.  It was the first time I’d ever bought fresh squeezed pomegranate juice off the street.   There were street cats everywhere, roaming around the city brushing up against my legs.  Cobble stone alleys full of musical instrument shops and good Turkish music blaring out of the houses.

EM: What are some of the strangest towns you’ve played in? And why?

Sedona, Arizona.  It was a weird cult that booked us.  They slaughtered a goat for dinner.  I understand that there are vortexes there, and it is a beautiful place, but this was just a little creepy.  We had to secretly drink our whiskey in the van.  On each bunk bed a book of their beliefs was placed next to the pillow.  The only people at our show were members of the cult.  They all did the high ponytail hacky sack dance with a strange look in their eyes.  I don’t know, maybe I’m just an asshole from LA?

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

In the states we usually rent a Dodge Sprinter.  In Europe we usually fly around and hop trains, and buses depending on where we are.  In Cambodia we ride scooters.

EM: Who have been your favorite bands to play on tour with? And why?

Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80.  It’s Fela’s original band and they kill it live.  I also like touring with Chicha Libre, and Jonathan Richman because you don’t have to worry about wearing earplugs and they sound so good.

Dengue Fever European Tour.  Photo Credit: Joel Searles.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in? And why was it a great experience?

Slims in San Francisco is always nice.  It’s got the coolest stage, with levels, you feel like you’re in Sinatra’s band or something.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?  Where is it located?

In the states we usually go for Thai food, in London it’s Indian or a kabob.  In Norway we fast because it is so damn expensive.   If its fast food I like Panda Express or El Pollo Loco.

EM:  What’s the worst spot you’ve eaten at?

Two spots come to mind.  I had some chicken sushi at a Chinese restaurant called Lin Bo in upstate New York.   The other was a plate of Crab fried rice I mistakenly ordered in Cambodia.  We were hours from the ocean and the crab was off.  It nearly killed me.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you occupy your time?

It just depends what part of the world you are in.  On a day off in New Zealand, the entire band went surfing.  In Oslo we checked out the Vigeland Sculpture gardens and the Contiki museum.  Usually we are pretty busy on tour always trying to make it to sound check.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would it be? And why?

For me it would be the novella, Switch Bitch, by Roald Dahl.

EM: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or bought while on tour?

I bought this neat silver ring from Mali that has a scribing on it meant to protect the bearer.

EM: What are some of the best records to listen to on the road? And why?

Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Ratatat’s LP3, Chico Sonido and Charlie Wadhams.  But more than that, I like listening to Coast to Coast AM radio on long late night drives.

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment/instrument on your tour?

Chhom Nimol.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

Ear plugs and an eye pillow.  A laptop.

EM: What’s one amazing location that you fantasize about playing live?

We want to do a west coast tour using a blimp.  We’d like to record in outer space.  I wouldn’t mind playing a show in Madagascar.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

Public restrooms.  Being with the same people for weeks on end.  Having a thousand mile drive in the snow.

EM: What is the best thing about being on the road?

Getting to see the world and playing music.

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