Unity: An Operation Ivy Reunion Show
Unity: An Operation Ivy Reunion Show
The Issue
Started in 87, ended in 89
Operation Ivy was arguably one of the very first bands to come out of the west coast that mixed hardcore punk with the increasingly popular ska genre, cleverly called "ska punk". This new (yet familiar) upbeat sound combined with punk-influenced anti-establishment lyrics was a bombshell on the scene and gained the band an almost immediate cult following. It is widely believed that Operation Ivy was known for releasing an absorbent amount of energy during their live performances, and with a name derived from nuclear testing, that seems rightfully so.
To say the least, Operation Ivy was a catalyst for the popularization of mainstream punk in the 90s and was a direct influence for many bands during the "3rd wave" ska revival in the late 90s to early 2000s. You may ask, how did a band with only 1 studio album accomplish this? The answer is simple: Play 185 hectic live shows in the timeframe of 2 years, with many at the infamous 924 Gilman Street. An amazing feat that must have been, but ultimately, only a relative "few" were lucky enough to experience one of Operation Ivy's live performances.
Today, Operation Ivy are more popular than they have ever been. As of 7/2019, there are over 300,000 monthly listeners on the band's official Spotify page and over 500,000 copies of Lookout! Records' 1991 CD release of Operation Ivy have been sold. Since then, Hellcat and Epitaph Records have also issued re-masters and re-releases of this album. Recently, there has also been a rising interest in ska with festivals such as "Back To The Beach" featuring many staple ska punk bands performing to packed crowds. Heck, even iconic bands such as The Selecter, Madness, and The English beat are touring to great fanfare. We also mustn't forget that The Specials have a #1 album in the UK after a 40 year absence!
Ska and all of its derivatives (including ska punk) is back. There has not been another band with such a deep influence in this genre since Operation Ivy and fans have been dreaming of a reunion since 1989. The time is now, and with this, we plead:
Jesse Michaels, Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman and Dave Mello, please reunite for one last show.
Signed,
Fans of Operation Ivy
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ivy_(band) http://epitaph.com/artists/operation-ivy/release/operation-ivy
65
The Issue
Started in 87, ended in 89
Operation Ivy was arguably one of the very first bands to come out of the west coast that mixed hardcore punk with the increasingly popular ska genre, cleverly called "ska punk". This new (yet familiar) upbeat sound combined with punk-influenced anti-establishment lyrics was a bombshell on the scene and gained the band an almost immediate cult following. It is widely believed that Operation Ivy was known for releasing an absorbent amount of energy during their live performances, and with a name derived from nuclear testing, that seems rightfully so.
To say the least, Operation Ivy was a catalyst for the popularization of mainstream punk in the 90s and was a direct influence for many bands during the "3rd wave" ska revival in the late 90s to early 2000s. You may ask, how did a band with only 1 studio album accomplish this? The answer is simple: Play 185 hectic live shows in the timeframe of 2 years, with many at the infamous 924 Gilman Street. An amazing feat that must have been, but ultimately, only a relative "few" were lucky enough to experience one of Operation Ivy's live performances.
Today, Operation Ivy are more popular than they have ever been. As of 7/2019, there are over 300,000 monthly listeners on the band's official Spotify page and over 500,000 copies of Lookout! Records' 1991 CD release of Operation Ivy have been sold. Since then, Hellcat and Epitaph Records have also issued re-masters and re-releases of this album. Recently, there has also been a rising interest in ska with festivals such as "Back To The Beach" featuring many staple ska punk bands performing to packed crowds. Heck, even iconic bands such as The Selecter, Madness, and The English beat are touring to great fanfare. We also mustn't forget that The Specials have a #1 album in the UK after a 40 year absence!
Ska and all of its derivatives (including ska punk) is back. There has not been another band with such a deep influence in this genre since Operation Ivy and fans have been dreaming of a reunion since 1989. The time is now, and with this, we plead:
Jesse Michaels, Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman and Dave Mello, please reunite for one last show.
Signed,
Fans of Operation Ivy
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ivy_(band) http://epitaph.com/artists/operation-ivy/release/operation-ivy
65
The Decision Makers
Petition created on July 19, 2019