Sharky Bar & Restaurant

Sharky Bar & Restaurant

Friday, May 25, 2012

Penhstock III (Day Two, Saturday 12th May, 2012)

Penhstock III (Day Two, Saturday 12th May, 2012)

It of course rained again, but not long enough to deter Marten The Martian (USA) and his percussionist Vince (France) from doing a great acoustic opening act. Nice, vocals from Marten and a great assortment of percussion instruments played by Vince, that kept the afternoon ‘firmly in the groove’ and ready for the opening electric act of the evening. Cheerz fellaz ! Great job !

Next up were Tango N Snatch. But nobody really knew what to expect from them ? It didn’t matter. With Ziad (on guitar) and Melanie (on drums) they played as if they were auditioning for the next ‘Punk And Disorderly’ gig to be held at Sharkys.

Bizarrely, and seemingly like a mutant cross between Billy Bragg and John Otway and Wild Willy Barret ! They sounded great ! Highly entertaining ! Ziad was electrifying on vocals and guitar ! And Melanie wasn’t too bad either on the ol’ drum kit ! Real entertainers! Can’t wait to see them again ! Good Fun !

Shambollick-69 were up next. As the name suggests, Shambollick by name and Shambollick by nature, Laura and Melanie from The Herding Cats joined forces with Dave and Rob from The Stiff Little Punks for a little bit of  ‘Ói Oi Oi’

Jimmy Pursey must have been laughing his little cotton socks off - as the Sham 69 tribute band - served up such classics as ‘’Ángels With Dirty Faces’, ‘Hersham Boys’ and ‘Hurry Up Harry.” Great Cockney fun - and great vocals too, from the amazing Laura !

Violentine brought things back to sanity (well almost), with a well rehearsed, heavy rock set that featured covers by Slayer and Metallica. A very underrated band and a very compact and entertaining set, from some very good Khmer guitar players ! Good job boyz !

The Khmer theme continued with a next act starring the excellent ‘P.Seng’ taking to the stage. Judging by their legions of fans and their hard-hitting rock sound, this could be the next big Khmer band to explode in Cambodia. With two ex-members of Cartoon Emo and the ex-singer from Pilgrim Band taking centre stage, I don’t think it will be too long before this band is playing to even bigger crowds. Ones to watch for sure ! Great set !

The recent tour around Asia by ‘Marky Ramone Blitzkrieg’ prompted some local columnists to question why Marky didn’t come to Cambodia with his famous band.

Not to worry ‘’Sharky Ramone Blitzkrieg’’ a subtle collection of Sharky Managers and Customers, came to the rescue, with a wig wearing, black leather, Ramone t-shirt tribute band - that wouldn’t have looked out of place at The Hard Rock Café venues were Marky has just toured.

Their hi-energy tribute performance, was further eclipsed only by lead singer Rossy Ramone, who rumour has it, maybe jetting out to Marky’s next gig In Rio (or is it Buenos Aries?) as direct replacement for Michael Graves (formerly Lead Vocalist for the Misfits )!

The band was good - and the t-shirts were even better ! Sheena Is A Punk Rocker ! Only in Sharkys !  After The Ramones whatever next ? What about some Stones ! Yeah why not !

Chick Jagger (Karen) and her boyz then took to the stage and belted out half-a dozen Rolling Stones tunes to a very appreciate audience. This band ‘Stoned Again !’ who featured recently at the ‘Wildlife Alliance Fundraiser II’ - just gets better and better !

The last strains of ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ were still echoeing away, as the chants for More ! More ! More ! More ! sort of fell on deaf ears (sorry time restraints), as the excellent Stoned Again left the stage to a thunderous applause ! Well Done ! And Karen ‘Moved Like Jagger’ too ! Great stuff !

The audience still sweating from the Stones groove, were soon back up on their feet as Sharkys Resident Band ‘The Lazy Drunks’ took to the stage and started off with a rip-roaring version of Neil Young’s ‘Rocking In The Free World.’ Other great rock covers followed, as the crowd seemingly lapped it up! There was even time for some Stealers Wheel ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ before Tom and the boyz exited the stage. Great job from The Drunks !  See them most Fridays in Sharkys !!

The dust had hardly settled, before the crowd seemed to swell, when The Fumes took centre stage. With Karen in fine form vocally, an eclectic mix of Indie/New Wave covers, rocked the house. The place almost exploded when their version of ‘I Predict A Riot (Kaiser Chiefs) was played - and once again The Fumes proved beyond shadow of a doubt, that they are still one of the best live bands in Cambodia ! Bravo !

It was now deep into Saturday night and the whole place was buzzing in anticipation as the next band ‘The Funki-Munkees’ from Singapore began to get ready. A seven-piece soul/funk band with full horn section. They certainly did not disappoint.

Probably, the killer act of the weekend, as they funked and souled - and boogied their way through an extremely professional fifty-five minute set - much to the delight and enjoyment of the packed Penhstock crowd!

If nobody had heard of the Funki-Munkees before, they certainly had now. And all of this with ‘no singer.’ Unbelievable !

Yes, a quite fantastic performance from this Singaporean based band, and hopefully we’ll have them back very soon at Sharkys ! Great act ! Great Sound ! Great Music ! Yeah, Just Great !

Surely there was no band that could follow that energy and vibe ? Yes, only one.

Up next, the final act of the night. The chainsaw guitar sound of deathcore metal Khmer band - Sliten6ix. If you think Nightmare On Elm Street or Halloween, then think Slipknot or Nine Inch Nails…….. or Sliten6ix.

Fronted by gravelly, throated vocalist Misfit - he is to music - what sucking razor blades through a vacuum cleaner on a bomb scorched battlefield must feel like - while blasting out hundred decibel torturous screams - whilst singing at the same time!

Whether it was participating in the large Mosh Pit or The Wall Of Death at the front of the stage, or just curious onlookers, the Sharky crowd just loved Sliten6ix. Their versions of ‘’Cannibal’’ and ‘’Annihilate The Meth’’ - bringing the house down - literally! A great climax - and a fitting end to a fantastic night !

Awesome Sliten6ix – just awesome!! And a great way to end Day Two: Penhstock III.

1 comment:

  1. Thank u it is really nice blog...It is a famous sharky bar.It is a best bar in singapore..Mostly peoples are enjoy in this bar...i am also coming in this bar...

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