AFTER five years spent touring the world with gigs in Europe, America and Asia, Dengue Fever has returned to Cambodia – the home country of their lead singer Chhom Nimol – for a series of concerts in Phnom Penh.

The band, which plays a fusion of classic Khmer and psychedelic rock, was born when brothers Zac and Ethan Holtzman met Nimol at a night club in Long Beach, California.

The six-piece band released its first album in 2003 but made its Cambodian debut in 2005 at Maxine’s (aka Snow’s) and Talkin’ to a Stranger.

Despite the success of the gigs, photos of which can be seen adorning the walls of both establishments, the return of Dengue Fever has been a long time coming.

Since it last came to the Kingdom, the band released its third album, Venus on Earth, to international acclaim as it was selected as one of the best world music records of 2008 by the iTunes Store. “We are very happy that our band has been so well received throughout the world,” said the band in an email. “We dream of playing in every continent in the world.”

Despite the global aspirations of the band’s members, returning to Cambodia has never been far from their minds. “We are always trying to come to Cambodia because it is where Nimol is from and the place where our original inspiration comes from. We come here to bring joy to Cambodians and we hope we can come every year in the future.”

Dengue Fever gigs

Tonight: Parkway Centre, 113 Mao Tse Tung Blvd, 8pm-11pm ($10 in advance/$12 on door: benefit show for Cambodian Living Arts.

Tel: 023 986 032)

Thursday, May 13: Wat Botum Park, 8pm (free admission)