Operation Ivy got the name for their band from a series of nuclear tests in 1952 which was titled “Operation Ivy.” Another band coming to stardom at the same time and location as Operation Ivy was Green Day, who covered “Knowledge” from Operation Ivy’s only studio album “Energy.” Operation Ivy gained a reputation as an excellent live band, and had a strong reputation in the East Bay punk scene thus, they were offered a major record deal by EMI Records. Operation Ivy was formed in Berkeley, California in 1987 by members Jesse Michaels, Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman, and Dave Mello, and made a name for themselves by performing at the infamous Gilman Street Club in California. Blending punk, reggae, and perhaps paving the way for what is today called hip-hop, Operation Ivy was an innovator in the music industry. My Top 5 Favorite Tracks on the Album (1 being my favorite)Īlong with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Operation Ivy helped to put the genre of Ska Punk on the map. Embracing the concept of “substance over surface,” sitting in the tradition of punk band names like Bad Brains, Bad Religion and the Bad Seeds, they find it a title worthy of their cause.Matt Freeman “Matt McCall” (Bass, Vocals) Harnessing decades of punk legend status for a fresh opportunity and a broader perspective, they make a subtle nod to their origins with their name as a playful acknowledgment of history.
Though it might seem like picking back up after all these years, Bad Optix are not just an iteration of their last band. There is a special chemistry between us and I don’t take it for granted.” He explains, “ As soon as we started writing together, we found that we had the same collaborative energy that we had in the past, so it was natural and fun just to keep going.” Tim also adds, “ It came back, just like that. Of course the topic of music came up and when Armstrong started to play some of his new tracks, Michaels was immediately inspired and sparking ideas for vocals. Even with the gap between Op Ivy to now, Michaels says, “ our creative connection seems to be stronger than ever and all the music we loved back then, we still love.” The idea to form a band came organically one day when Jesse and Tim met up purely with the intent to reconnect. Officially forming in March of 2021, the ska-punk pioneers have over 35 years of history together. This was only the second song we did but it felt hot immediately and just flowed so we thought it would be a good way to introduce the new band to the world.” Speaking to the creative process he continues, “ Like many of the tracks we have worked on, I heard the music and wrote the lyrics very quickly, almost on the spot. On the lyrical intent behind the song Michaels explains, “ Raid is about every person’s spiritual autonomy from the powers that be, regardless of who they are or what their particular struggle is.”
Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Rancid, Transplants), Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy), Joey Castillo (Circle Jerks, The Bronx) and bassist Spencer Pollard (Trash Talk) unveil their new project BAD OPTIX with the release of their debut single “ Raid” today via Hellcat Records. The new track kicks off the Hellcat Singles Club: a collection of new releases by a variety of bands curated by Tim Armstrong and the Hellcat team.Īnti-authoritarian anthem “ Raid” features breezy, classic Jamaican influenced ska contrasted with a vocal approach aligned with the brute force of punk for a vibe that’s updated but not completely disconnected from early ska legacy.
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