Rob Nakai is a vocalist and guitarist for Albuquerque bands Holiday Sail and Bat Wings For Lab Rats. The latter, a four-piece that melds diverse genres like punk, hip-hop, metal and funk, releases its debut album Punk • Hop • A • Delic at the Launchpad on Saturday, July 17. Below you’ll find an equally diverse sampling of Nakai’s music collection, selected at random.
Song Roulette
1) "A Little Bit of Shhh" • Lady Sovereign • Vertically Challenged “Lady Sovereign might annoy some, but she can hold her own when it comes to spitting sarcasm and wit. Plus, she has had some of the best young English talent make her tracks.”
Song Roulette
2) "Damaged II" • Black Flag • Damaged “I love Greg Ginn’s guitar sound. It sounds awesomely filthy. Bands like these were the only saving grace of the ’80s, kids. There will never be another Black Flag.”
Song Roulette
3) "Give It Up" • The Format • Interventions and Lullabies “From Arizona, with love. One of my favorite indie-pop outfits who put on a great live show, too. I have a different version than the album called The Edge Acoustic Mix and no idea where it came from.”
Song Roulette
4) "Something Sour" • Muler • The State of Play “I fell in love with this ’90s Rochester, N.Y. band over a summer trip to Arkansas. In Oklahoma, of all places, I found this album in the bargain bin and it’s been the best $2 I ever spent. They broke up before 2000 rolled around. A top five favorite for me.”
Song Roulette
5) "Melodrama" • Holiday Sail • Amalgamation “Ha ha! This is one of my favorite tracks from my other band. I can’t believe this one showed up. We had an amazing violin player lend her skills to this track named Rachel Peale. A combination of calypso acoustic guitar and speedy rock ’n’ roll.”
