Operation ivy

Operation Ivy is a group that has glorified Lookout! Records. Operation Ivy was attended by lead singer Jesse Michaels , bass player Matt Freeman (Matt Freeman, who founded Rancid after Operation Ivy broke up ), guitarist Lint (Tim Armstrong, who later also started playing Rancid ), and drummer Dave Mello (Dave Mello). At the time of the creation of the group, all of them were 18-19 years old.

Having appeared in 1987 in the city of Berkeley , California , the group began to play a revolutionary mixture of traditional Jamaican ska and punk rock . At that time, ska was not spread as it is now; vocalist of Mr. T Experience recalls: “Everyone was heavy metal addicted and only wanted to play and listen to him.” Operation Ivy laid the foundation for a new wave of ska, closely interwoven with other styles (in this case, punk). They mixed a weak share of ska-guitars, walking bass in the style of " rocksteady " and a very fast rhythm. Some have nicknamed this ska-kor style. Most songs of Operation Ivy were nevertheless closer to ska, although they did not have a wind section. The musicians themselves expressed themselves in this regard as follows: “It happened so. In principle, we used wind instruments in the song Bad Town, and we also had a saxophonist for a couple of concerts. But we didn’t have any wind instruments, although we could exist the group would be longer, everything would be different. The group also played pure punk rock in such songs as, for example, Hoboken and Sleep Long. Lyrics followed punk themes (non-conformism, think with your own head, do not forget to have fun, - you need to hear it yourself; the themes of Operation Ivy songs can be called “Political-philosophical”).

A year later, the group was extremely popular on the part of the coast of California, called East Bay (East Bay). They released their first and only album Energy. In 1989, only a few thousand copies of this album were sold out, but after 9 years it acquired cult status and sold over 500 thousand copies.

This success is probably the result of an aura of mystery, which was created after the group broke up in 1989. In addition, vocalist Jesse Michaels was lost sight of, allegedly carried away by Buddhism and left for Tibet. The reasons for the breakup were not disclosed, but it is generally accepted that Operation Ivy members did not want to listen to allegations of “corruption” (a large company just offered them a contract for another 2 albums). Lint (Tim) and Matt put together a band Rancid, which went to the side of punk rock and, over time, gained immense popularity. Drummer Dave left for the Schlong band.

A few years later, Jesse Michaels sent Lookout to the newspaper! Records is an open letter in order to dispel numerous and mostly implausible rumors about the reasons for the collapse of Operation Ivy and about his own fate. It turned out that the group broke up mainly due to internal conflicts. As for Jesse, he suffered from alcoholism for about 3 years, but then he "got tired of waking up in a pile of vomit", and he really became interested in Zen Buddhism, but did not leave California, but visited the San Francisco Zen Center (it should be noted that different publications alleged that he had left: 1) in Nicaragua; 2) to South Africa; 3) to India). Then Jesse "tired of freezing on the street at 4 a.m. in a stupid dressing gown", and he slowly returned to Lookout !, becoming a full-time artist. In addition, at the moment he plays and sings in the band Common Rider.

In conclusion, I would like to cite a statement by Jesse Michaels, printed on the spread of the album Energy: “Music is a hidden force that drives change, as it gives hope in the face of human tragedies. It helps make the world more cohesive. At certain points, at some concerts, such a world is already here. Operation Ivy was very lucky - they were able to experience this feeling. In these seconds, it becomes clear that the energy that moves the subculture forward is much more important than any particular group. This energy exists thanks to people who continue to be interested and remain persistent and hope. "

Albums and mini albums

Collections

Compilations that included different groups, including Operation Ivy

• Jesse Michaels - vocals
• Tim Armstrong - Lint (Tim Armstrong - Lint) - guitar, lyrics, vocals
• Matt Freeman (Matt Freeman) - bass, backing vocals
• Dave Mello (Dave Mello) - drums, backing vocals

• Interview with Operation Ivy
• Official site