In the whack-a-mole game of live music in the Tuol Tom Pong district of Phnom Penh, The Deck has been punching above its weight. Noise issues recently caused a change in the schedule, and co-owner Matt Blomberg (AKA Randi) sat down with LengPleng to talk about the venue’s commitment to weirdness and where that will be heading.
The current ownership – three partners – dates back a little over two years. “My beard wasn’t grey back then,” says Randi. “None of us have a background in hospitality. Also we don’t have the specific knowledge of how to run a business in Phnom Penh. No idea why we all thought it was a good idea.”
Randi’s motivation was also the initial business plan. “I love parties and live music. So let’s have the best, biggest parties and gigs in Phnom Penh. We booked the Kampot Playboys to play the first show, built a stage out of scrap wood and pallets. It was a hell of a party – the place was packed from the stage all the way through the joint and across the road to the little shop across the road. A tightly packed strip of humans.”
Live music proved to be a successful route. “For a year and a half, two years, we had heaps of fun. For example it was great to watch Ronan [Sheehan] play in a band where he wasn’t hiding behind a guitar – Soselo Summer was born and died on our stage. He’s a great performer, he wears whatever he was wearing that day, with zero ego and 100% all out there.”
Ronan fronting Soselo Summer
Eventually the perennial problem of noise complaints came knocking. “We brought over a band from Bangkok, ZeitgeistS, who play hellish doom progressive psychedelic metal – amazing stuff. We turned the room into a hellscape, it was an amazing night. The band was unreal, the dudes were really cool, everyone loved them, they loved coming here. No one made any money of course, but everyone had a good time. And then some months later when we were in a bit of a rough patch I said I want to bring ZeitgeistS back. My partners looked at me like I was crazy – and I probably am – but I managed to convince everyone it was a good idea.
“On the night we were running a bit late. Reign in Slumber played, and then the first incarnation of Absolute Zero, and finally ZeitgeistS got on for their first set. I was up the front enjoying them and there comes the tap on the shoulder – the cops are here. So I go out and have a chat with them. They were wondering what the hell was going on – the weird sound and the lighting and everything – I said these boys came from Thailand, let us finish. The set ended, and then 20 minutes later I said let’s go again. Then I didn’t look at my phone until the Tuesday. I knew I was in big trouble. When I did look at the phone – the landlords, the neighbours, the police, and the landlord of the apartment building next door, big trouble from all of them.”
ZeitgeistS – the first gig, in April 2023
Obviously a change had to come. “We laid low for a couple of months, then launched our new idea. If we can’t do late night satanic death metal we can still do something. Our new schedule is to have live music from 5 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. The Sunday session is influenced by the Australian idea of an early start on a Sunday, but that doesn’t really apply here, Monday morning is not such a big deal here. Come along at 5, have a few beers and maybe a feed, then go off to wherever else you’re going, if you’re not having enough fun here.
“Initially I was concerned about whether there would be enough talent to go around, but the first two months have been quite good. We’ve had a few new bands in, some of the old favourites, and some stripped-back/unplugged versions of bigger bands. Recently a Lewis McTighe gig turned into almost the full Wind Up Mice line up. And there’s been a good run of visiting artists coming through – Nico Thoma from Kampot and Mr Zee from Siem Reap, and Jimmy Watusi who put on an amazing show. Mr Zee is back this Saturday – guitar, bass, a rack of pedals, lots of toys, and a digeridoo sometimes as well. It’s almost like trippy trance music.”
The venue may be making music earlier, but they want to keep the weirdness alive. “We are all about the madness. We are happy to have bands come in and play their first show here, happy to have them try new stuff and experimental stuff, new collaborations. Some of the mashup/fusion kind of stuff that we end up with is unreal.
“We want everyone to know if you come 5 o’clock Saturday or 2 o’clock Sunday there will be tunes on, and you can come wondering what on earth have they got on this week? We want to be giving the audience something interesting, something different. If you have an almost band, or a not-band that want to be a band, get in touch. Just no full drum kits, unfortunately – electronic drums, cajons, a snare and a hat, that sort of thing. And if I ask you to play another set after 10 pm please say no!”
This Saturday at 5 pm is Mr Zee, this Sunday at 2 pm is DJ Shagzy. Later in the month will see performances by Stu Cottom, Dr Wah Wah and Geography of the Moon.
The crowd dances for Khmer Blind Band, April 2023 We Are Ewe, May 2023
