Playlist: Max Levy, Co-Founder, Apothecary

What would be your dream cover of a song?
Ray Charles doing “Too Drunk to F**k” by the Dead Kennedys. I heard the Nouvelle Vague version a few years back when I was a bit drunk and a friend started singing along in a gospel voice mimicking Jamie Foxx in Ray. There have been a lot of folk covers of punk and hip-hop, but not very many soul covers of hardcore.

What is your favorite music video?
Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” by Spike Jonze. That video really makes the song feel like a theme song that can change your frame of mind at any time. It brought the band back to their punk roots, besides being a huge reminder of the original Hawaii Five-O and Kojak and countless other ’70s police TV dramas.

What track are you most embarrassed about having on your iPod?
Anything by Marilyn Manson. Just a painful reminder of a misguided few years that I would love to forget.

What is your favorite TV theme tune?
Miami Vice [“Crockett’s Theme” by Jan Hammer]. Looking back now, the show was terrible, but the opening credits with the flamingos and Ferraris and pre-gentrified South Beach got you so pumped to see those tacky white suits and turquoise T-shirts. And Tubbs was just a bad ass.

Which artist would you most like to go for a drink with?
Jack White. He turns simple ideas into reality and gets acceptance from the masses without altering his vision.

What song would you want to be played at your funeral?
“Just a Gigolo” by David Lee Roth. Isn’t every man?

If you were a boxer, what would be your entrance music?
“Conquest” by The White Stripes. At least my intention would be clear.

MAX LEVY’S 5-SONG PLAYLIST.

“Let’s Ride” by Q-Tip
The perfect song for sitting outside in the too-hot summer, drinking and people-watching.

“Ha Di Ka” by Galactic
This just reminds me of home, growing up and the fact that creativity has no rules or boundaries.

“Staring at the Sun” by TV on the Radio
The perfect mix of a cappella and distortion. It makes all the hairs stand in ovation.

“Freak Like Me” by Santigold
Great song to dance to, work to, bike to, f**k to.

“Picking Flowers” by Second Hand Rose
This band is great. Almost better than Gwar.

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Photo: Judy Zhou