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Nakatomi Plaza
Indie / Punk / Rock

Peace out.



BROOKLYN, New York
United States

Profile Views:  89276




Last Login:  6/12/2009
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   Nakatomi Plaza: General Info
Member Since9/20/2004
Band Websitehttp://www.nakatomiplaza.com
Band Membersoscar - vocals, gibson sg special, '77 fender mustang, fender '62 RI tele, intensely modified fender strat, other intensely modified fender strat, gibson les paul deluxe, '89 gibson les paul standard, way too many pedals, vox ac30, vox ac15, '69 ampeg gu-12, mesa boogie subway rocket, fender pro junior, mesa boogie mark IV, keyboards, samples, day planner & public relations, power drive 1

al - vocals, music man sterling, ampeg v4b & st15, computer scientist & web nerd, merch master, power nap

lou - yamaha drums, cymbals, samples, motivational speaker, executive handyman, power drive 2

InfluencesNirvana, My Bloody Valentine, Fugazi, MC5, Dinosaur Jr., Team Dresch, Cap N' Jazz, At the Drive-In, Led Zeppelin, Propagandhi, The Beatles, Lifetime, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Chavez, Muse, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Elliot Smith
Sounds Likewhat you want to hear.
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Record LabelRed Leader Records / Brightskull Records
Type of LabelIndie


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Nakatomi Plaza's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Pics from Frodus show!  (view more)

GHOSTS update + FRODUS reunion = AWESOME!  (view more)

Almost done...  (view more)

Happy Holidays + recording update  (view more)

We’re breaking up + The Fest 7 + Paper and Plastick Art Show + Pastepunk Comp  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Nakatomi Plaza
***ATTN: For all BOOKING MATTERS, please EMAIL us directly at oscar[at]nakatomiplaza.com (replace the [at] with @). Thanks!***



NAKATOMI PLAZA “Unsettled” (Red Leader Records) Right now is a pretty surreal time to be in a punk band. It seems like these days words like “originality” and “inventiveness” have been stricken from most bands’ vocabularies, only to be replaced with “regional Soundscans” and “target demographics.” It’s ironic, really, that a subgenre that was initially born out of contempt for the mainstream culture and brazen capitalism has turned into a commodity of forced rebellion. Then there’s Nakatomi Plaza. Formed in New York City, in 1998, the Brooklyn-based Nakatomi Plaza—guitarist/vocalist Oscar Rodriguez, Bassist/vocalist Al Fair and drummer Lou Maiolica—have embodied punk rock’s DIY ethic via tireless touring and self-promotion for the past eight years and their third full-length, Unsettled, is the culmination of their career. Produced by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines), the album is a unique amalgam of influences that juxtaposes post-punk’s angular riffs with virtuosic guitar solos, electronic flourishes and even the occasional screamo yelp to create a sound that’s instantly hooked countless listeners, including Robbins himself. “I gave him the Nakatomi demos two or three years ago and didn’t really expect him to write back—but he wrote back that week and said we should talk about doing the record,” Rodriguez recounts. Inspired by the band’s music, Robbins traveled to Brooklyn for two weeks in the winter of 2004 recording the album you are currently holding in your hands. “I thought we were going to have to pay for his hotel, but he slept on our couch for two weeks while we were recording!” Rodriguez exclaims as if he can’t even believe it himself. “It was a lot of fun.” If there was one adjective to use to describe the collective personality of Nakatomi Plaza, it would be “perfectionist”—a trait which is responsible not only for how groundbreaking Unsettled is, but also for how long it has taken to be released. From finding the right label to getting the ultimate guitar tone, Nakatomi Plaza spared no expense with Unsettled (the album was eventually mastered six times). “We almost broke up a few months ago because the shopping was taking so long,” Rodriguez admits. “But now that we have a fresh start and someone who’s actually excited about putting the record out, that’s great.” Lyrically, Unsettled is remarkably intelligent, however you don’t need a Ph. D. to comprehend the album’s inspiring themes. Sure, the opener “A Manifest Destiny Grows In Brooklyn” parallels the gentrification of Brooklyn against the American expansion to the West, but most of the songs on Unsettled focus more on feelings and abstractions. “If I had to describe the lyrical content of the album, it’d be mildly political songs with overlying themes of depression and anxiety,” Rodriguez says. “The lyrical themes are personal, but with an emphasis on the social fabric that holds everything together.” “The gates are closing/escape while you still can,” Rodriguez sings on “Combustible/Jettison,” summoning the urgency that informs every second of Nakatomi Plaza’s music. With Unsettled, the band have delivered a collection of songs that are vital, deliberate and now more than ever, relevant. So, for a second, forget about genres and buzzwords and MySpace and just listen. Because ultimately, that’s why we all got into this in the first place; sometimes all we need is a reminder. -Jonah Bayer


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Nakatomi Plaza has 6537 friends.
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Nakatomi Plaza's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 668 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Young Hearts (is ON TOUR!)





May 29 2009 4:07 AM

Download our new 7-song EP "NOWHERE KIDS" for FREE!


click to download


Repost the link, share it with friends! See us on tour with The Reveling in June!

Any donations made go toward helping to cover the costs of our upcoming tour.

http://youngheartsmusic.com/nowhere-kids.php
Steve





May 20 2009 1:48 PM

I didn't know about the Frodus show... would have been there with bells on. Saw the photos, which were amazing.
Hope you are all well!
Scream Hello





May 7 2009 5:17 PM

hey dudes. here's a music video i think you'll enjoy
You Me and US!





Apr 25 2009 6:00 PM

You guys are awesome, come to Columbia and throw down with us. I used to see you guys play a long time ago in Binghamton where I used to live with bands like Fist Her Face 55(now Nancy) and Purple Grip (Dynamite Plan). I've still got a De La Hoya sticker on my bass practice amp.
ERT





Mar 17 2009 10:25 AM

Thanks for your add...good music
Heatherosexual





Mar 5 2009 11:04 PM

I am looking forward to this new album.
And if you could, make a stop in Binghamton or Ithaca on your tour.
toyboat_toyboat





Mar 8 2009 4:03 AM

I would pee myself in madison square garden arena to hear ghosts in its entirety right now.
red leader records





Mar 11 2009 2:09 AM

Kaaaaven! (I Love Piglet ™)





Feb 23 2009 5:50 AM

any more news on some new shit yet ?
rafael





Feb 4 2009 1:30 PM

I have no idea how I found You guys.
but I..ve been listenning to you since
2004 and this moments made me saw a bunch of things in a whole different level. One day I hope you guys playing in my hometown
Cachoeirinha-RS hehe.
Keep the amps screaming for us
Simon Iff (12:12)





Jan 2 2009 3:03 AM

happy new year

great music :0)
Travis Nichols / Punk Rock Etiquette





Dec 18 2008 4:48 PM

Mitch Olivier





Dec 16 2008 3:47 PM



Hi Nakatomi Plaza nice to meet you and thanks for the add
keep on rockin'
All the best
Mitch
Black Bear





Dec 13 2008 6:27 PM

wow. you guys are sweet. I would love to book a farewell show in Gloucester if you guys would be down. Maybe one in Boston too? You guys would have to play some stuff from private property and the first song off chester.

good luck with all your future musical endeavors. Look forward to seeing you guys.
-sebastian
Laith





Dec 2 2008 10:44 PM

I put "see nakatomi plaza one last time" on my bucket list when i heard you were breaking up --- i was unable to make it down to FL for the fest though.....are y'all completely finished or is it possible that there will be a "farewell" show in bklyn??
tierney





Nov 13 2008 5:53 AM

Love you guys!
Steve





Nov 15 2008 4:07 PM

Love you guys...
SP will be in Brooklyn next Saturday.
I hope to see you all!
Scouts Honor (2002-2009)





Nov 7 2008 11:08 PM



Nakatomi Plaza "Guards" LIVE at THE FEST 7 (Durty Nelly's) in Gainesville, FL on 11-02-08
jessica!





Nov 8 2008 4:54 PM

Whaaaaaa? No one asked me about this whole "breaking up" thing. 'Cause wow, I don't approve. Nope. Not at all.



really?
tierney





Oct 30 2008 2:26 PM

Holy crap!! I wasn't planning on going to The Fest but I'm totally going to try to change my plans this weekend to be at your show.

Sad sad news, but I wish you guys the best of luck!

Hopefully see you soon!

t
jena berlin





Oct 30 2008 3:57 PM

:(
black and white children





Oct 30 2008 6:21 PM

you know..you guys have been a part of my show going life in new york during high school and upstate during college since i can remember. its gonna be real weird not counting on seeing you guys at No Rio or anywhere. You guys are great musicians and your music means a lot to a lot of people.
Thanks so much, have fun at Festivus!
lightsleeper





Oct 30 2008 7:39 PM

the phillies win the world series and my entire region is going ape shit. amazing news. i wake up this morning and find out you guys are calling it quits. worst... news... EVER. i'm sad.
Ian™





Oct 31 2008 12:56 AM

I'm personally really sad to hear the news! But I wish you all luck, and I will always being listening to you! I'll be sure to make my way out to see you when you're back home.
Clair





Oct 30 2008 7:52 PM

a sad day indeed.... i'm very thankful to have been around in small bits to share music and thoughts with you.... i need to be a these final shows.
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