The two main movers of the band Khmer Rouge are Barry Myers (AKA Scratchy) and Phil Shoenfelt. Barry had up to that time had quite a varied career which took in DJing, writing for British music paper Sounds and working for bands like Dr. Feelgood and The Clash. It was while working for the Clash that he acquired his nickname Scratchy.
Having found himself in the USA following a Clash tour Scratchy met up with Phil Shoenfelt and threw in his lot as bassist with Khmer Rouge. Musically he had previously been bassist with the band The Snivelling Shits. Khmer Rouge had previously been a part of the Art-noise scene that had grown out of New York. The original band had been a spiky four piece although with the addition of Scratchy the band had slimmed down initially to a duo and then with the addition of original drummer Claus Castenskiold behind the drum kit the band entered into a period of rehearsal. Unfortunately Claus decided to concentrate full time on his studies although he would re appear further down the road. A new drummer was therefore required and Paul Di Martino AKA Wacko had filled the drum stool by the time Khmer Rouge MKII played their first gig at the famous Peppermint Lounge in New York in January 1982. Further comings and goings on the drum riser continued through 1982 until Paul Garisto joined, just before the band opened for The Clash in front of 7000 people in Troy N.Y. A string of dates followed, supporting Alan Vega, The Gun Club, Tom Verlaine, and Billy Idol, before Garisto left the band to play with The Psychedelic Furs, and later with Iggy Pop.The band continued through the next two years while various members came and went around the core of Phil and Scratchy. Finally, Marcia Schofield joined on keyboards. Then there was a short-lived idea of recruiting Wayne Kramer on guitar, but that union stalled when it appeared that the band would function only as Wayne's backing musicians.
At the end of 1984 the band decided to relocate to London from New York. Prior to their departure however the band went into the studio and laid down the track Shoot, which is a highlight included on the studio disc of this two disc set ("Khmer Rouge - New York -London 1981-86; Voiceprint/Hip Priest). More line up changes ensued during the bands time in London, former 999 member Ed Case joined briefly although he didn't last long and some sense of normality was only regained when Claus shipped over to England and once more took his place behind the drum kit. The band then recorded the City Primeval E.P. with legendary producer John Leckie behind the mixing desk.
Further gigs took place supporting The Fall in the UK, and the band tried hard to secure a deal, but without any luck. The final straw would seem to have been Marcia jumping ship to join the Fall. The band, however, have achieved cult status and also some notoriety in that former New York Dolls and Suicide manager Marty Thau refused to manage the band unless they changed their name from Khmer Rouge...
Discography
1981 - "New Assassins"/"Labyrinth" 7"
1981 - Various Artists - "White Column Noise Festival Tape"
1985 - "City Primeval" EP
2004 - "New York - London 1981-86" 2-CD
www.scratchysounds.co.uk
www.philshoenfelt.de
www.clauscastenskiold.com
Khmer Rouge - New Assassins
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