Ghosts

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Ghosts CD (Self-Released)
Release Date: September 29, 2009

1. Bomb Shelter (mp3)
2. The Ghost Intrigue
3. Artificial Light
4. Pigs Will Pay (redux)
5. Guards
6. It Came From Outside
7. 4017
8. Requiem
9. Words
10. Song For Al
11. The Finish Line (mp3)

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September 12th, 2009, on a tiny stage in the Brooklyn venue Shea Stadium, a sweat-drenched and exhausted Nakatomi Plaza thanks an enthusiastic crowd for ten years of friendship, support and love before the three members put down their instruments, exchange long, emotional hugs and officially call it a day. Punk rock loses another one (a great one, at that) and almost instantly, we’re left with an unfillable void in our collective hearts.

Thankfully, the band’s final full-length, Ghosts, might just be the salve the dulls the sting of the departure … as does knowing that this was not simply a case of a band throwing in the towel or shuffling off this mortal coil with nary a sound. No, Nakatomi Plaza said goodbye on its own terms and with new, exciting avenues to explore. What’s more is that the trio leaves behind a rich history of ten years, four long players, a handful of EPs, singles and comp tracks, three beat-to-hell vans, countless self-booked tours and basement shows, and most importantly, a tireless work ethic and dedication to the independent punk rock spirit.

As a unit, one of Nakatomi Plaza’s strongest attributes was that it persevered and continued to exist on its own terms for so long. Regardless of the pitfalls and disappointments, in spite of being chewed up and kicked to the proverbial curb by the greasy machine that is the music industry – and never mind the fact that this was an unconventional, often incendiary, activist punk rock outfit fronted by a short, wiry Asian-American dude and a female bassist / singer – Nakatomi Plaza did things the right way. The members’ notion of success was not fueled by notoriety but rather an allegiance to the integrity of the music and the DIY community that always supported it. Take five minutes to read the farewells in the liner notes and even if you don’t buy into those ideals, it’s apparent that band is secure about where it has left things and the course it took to arrive there.

Musically, the Brooklyn three-piece has always had a firm grasp on the careening dynamics and the technical, exploratory nature of its previous releases. Listen to any record from its back catalog and you’re just as likely to hear some serious virtuosic guitar shredding and tight, angular rhythms as you would space-y synths and other electronic flourishes. Ghosts, however, tends to go straight for the jugular with anthemic choruses, blazing riffs and absolutely no shortage of knockout hooks. Oscar Albis Rodriguez and Al Fair trade vocal duties, spitting vitriol and biting commentary with passion and purpose while drummer Lou Maiolica pushes things along at an aggressive pace.

It must be in Nakatomi Plaza’s DNA to be frenetic, unpredictable and explosive, and their swan song certainly wields an edge that zigs and zags and takes unexpected detours. Yet for the most part, the band understands that a simple, direct, deep cut is the most effective way to leave a lasting impression.

Recorded by Ali Hassan (The Bouncing Souls, The Loved Ones), Ghosts is undoubtedly the exclamation point at the end of a long, impressive and somewhat under-appreciated career. And lest we forget the toil, sweat and tears that Nakatomi Plaza poured into adecade’s worth of immeasurable accomplishments within the scene (because honestly, how do you quantify things like tireless work, friendships forged or even something as simple as booking a DIY show for a fellow touring band?), this album’s eleven amazing songs will undoubtedly trigger our memories and have us reminiscing about the good old days … even if the good old days were occasionally filled with disappointment and disillusionment. Then again, what engaging, time-tested story doesn’t have its fair share of adversity? It’s what makes the story worth remembering in the first place.

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Press Contact: Chuck Daley / Beartrap PR / chuck@beartrappr.com / (704) 649-7128