Operation Ivy Biography
Source: http://figz.com/~opivy/biography.php
Op Ivy, short for Operation Ivy, was a punk band from near-Berkeley California. They were Jesse (vocal), Lint (guitar), Matt (bass), and Dave (drum). Later, they got Pat and Paul for the horn section (even tho i think they're not official members).
The band started in 1987 and ended in 1989, after playing over 180+ shows. They broke up right before they produced their first album (which was actually a tape, not a CD), and later titled Energy. The music is about non-conformity, thinking for yourself, fun, etc etc (you gotta check it out yourself). Most of the songs are ska (without horn), but there are some punkrock too (like Sleep Long and Hoboken).
The Members
Jesse Michaels - vocal
The brain of Operation Ivy. He wrote, if i'm not mistaken, all the lyrics, and guess what? he was 18 at the time he wrote all those incredible lyrics. He said Operation Ivy broke up, again if I'm not mistaken, because of band's internal conflict and arguments. Rumor also said that he didn't wanna be in a sellout band (not true), since Operation Ivy got too big too fast. Later, he started Big Rig. He also studied Zen-Buddhism and became a monk for about 6 months. He was really out of music for a couple years, until he started Common Rider in 1999.
Lint (Tim Armstrong) - guitar, 2nd vocal
Lint (real name Tim Armstrong) was the band guitarist. Before in Op Ivy, he was in Basic Radio with Matt. After Op Ivy broke up, Lint, Matt, and Dave started a punk band called The Downfall. Later, he was addicted to drugs, and was in rehabilitation center twice (some info said 5 times). Matt didn't want him to waste his life, then they both started Rancid after the Downfall broke up. Lint is no more a drug abuser now, and is married to his girlfriend, Broody, who plays for The Distillers.
Matt McCall (Freeman) - bass
Matt McCall's real last name is Freeman. Yes, he's Rancid's bassist. That name (McCall) came from a TV show that got a guy who looks like him. Matt was probably Lint's closest friend, they've been together since they were 5. They both were in Shakin '69, Downfall, Basic Radio, The Noise, the Uncool, and The Primitive. After saying ta-ta to Op Ivy, he joined MDC for a while, and later started Rancid with Tim Armstrong. Matt was once a member of Kamala and Karnivora. Matt, with Tim, right now have a side project, a psychobilly band with Matt on DOUBLE bass (!) (thanks to josh culton for the info).
Dave Mello - drum
The drummer of Operation Ivy. Before he joined the crew, he was in Robbi Conspiracy and Distorted Truth. After Op Ivy broke up, he joined Downfall for a while, and later, with his bro Pat Mello, he joined Schlong. From what I heard, i think he runs a music store now.
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inspiration to us | Reviewer: tenzing wangla | 2/20/13
Operation ivy is one of da most awesome and veteran bands in the punk scene..their music style consisting punk and ska inspires innumerable bands till present date..they've inspired evryone who's heard their album..we the few kids from a small town Darjeeling,India are die hard fans of Op Ivy..their music n lyrics relate to our lives in almost evry situation...
:OPERAt:ON iVY:!: | Reviewer: Irene | 7/25/06
I love Operation Ivy!
They are awesome.
They are worth your time!
Listen to them!
You won't be let down..
peace.
The Ultimate Ska punk\Ska-Core band | Reviewer: Anonymous | 6/28/06
Operation Ivy were a Ska Punk band from the East bay of Californa, lasting from 1987 to 1989. Jesse Micheals sang lead vocals and wrote awesome friggin lyrics, Tim Armstrong (Aka "Lint") played guitar sang vocals, Matt McCall played Bass, and Dave Mello played drums. They formed when Matt and Lint's old group "Basic Radio" broke up. They thought about it, and decided to form a new band that fused Punk and Ska, which not many people had done before. They recruited their friend Jesse. Jesse was supposed to play drums, but wanted to sing, so they got Dave Mello. They palyed Gilman St. in 1987. After gaining a large following, they made their debut on a "MaximuRock'n'Roll" compilation with "Healthy Body" and "Sleep Long". After Gilman veteran saw Operation Ivy he decided to start Lookout!Records to souly record an Operation Ivy record (but they went on to sign Green Day, Isocracy ,The Donnas, and like a million other awesome friggin bands). It turned out to be the Classic "Hectic EP". Jesse wrote all the songs on this EP and it became extremely popoular. They began their U.S. tour. After, they started to write and record the Classic "Energy" album in which Tim wrote a song, the classic "Bad Town". The hard pressure to sign to a Major Label they decided to break up on their release party\gig. To this day their music and message of Unity, Freedom, and Peace lives on.
operation ivy...legends | Reviewer: Gemma | 9/19/05
these guys are punk rock to the core, not many ppl hav heard of em but theyve inspired so many great punk bands including the almighty green day. theyre attitude is so honest, they do wht they want when they want. theyre legends and anyone whos listened to them will agree, that 1 theyre music rocks and the lyrics are amazingly random and true!
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