If the future is anything like the sci-fi classic Blade Runner, the whole world will sound exactly like the Crofoot's Pike Room Friday night as Dengue Fever amazed the crowd with high energy and the stunning voice of Cambodian lead singer Chhom Nimol. Combining a psychedelic surf-rock sound and '60s Cambodian pop tunes, descriptions of the band can sound like a cute novelty act, but the moment the diminutive Khmer songstress opens her mouth any idea that this band plays for laughs is blown out of the water.
Sometimes when you see a band on tour, the musicians all look a little shellshocked from weeks on the road. Dengue Fever, however, clearly thrives on playing live, managing outrageously tight, complex rhythms and their exotic, danceable songs with the ease that comes from genuine enjoyment. This is a band that clearly loves playing music with each other, from the inexhaustable drummer Paul Dreux Smith to the Dick-Dale sound from guitarist-singer AZac Holtzman. The smiling Nimol belts out the classic high-pitch, eastern sound confidently while playing with affectionately with her band mates, especially the bassist Senon Williams (not without difficulty, as Williams is more than double her height even with heels). 
That sense of happiness and enjoyment spills over into the crowd, who felt like an extra member of the band, dancing to every song and singing along to the call-and-answer section of the Dengue Fever song "A-Go-Go." After a long set, the band took extra time to hang out with the crowd, talking about music, taking photos and recommending novels.
The bartender noted that she'd never seen a more "cheerful" band.
With their final show in Chicago, Dengue Fever will finish up their tour of the Eastern states. Many of their dates they shared the stage with the eccentric Syrian artist Omar Souleyman (Souleyman played a separate show as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit for this date). "He is so amazing to watch," Nimol gushed after the show, "We've been singing some songs together, hopefully we'll record them soon."
Between their busy touring schedule, the band is working on a fifth album, a follow-up to 2011's Cannibal Courtship. Judging from the crowd's reaction and the band's enthusiasm, it won't be hard coaxing anyone back for another dance party.
-MCB MAGGIE
Illustation by MCB MAGGIE
