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OPERATION IVY
BAND HQ // [OPIVY]FORMED 1987 • Berkeley (924 Gilman St), CA • Street Punk & Oi!

OPERATION IVY

To resist despair in this world is what it takes to be free! High-voltage collision of 2-Tone ska upstrokes and blistering East Bay hardcore punk.

Formed in Berkeley, CA in May 1987 by Jesse Michaels, Tim 'Lint' Armstrong, Matt 'McCall' Freeman, and Dave Mello. In just two years and 185 explosive all-ages shows anchored at 924 Gilman Street, Operation Ivy recorded the 1988 'Hectic' 7-inch EP and 1989 'Energy' LP on Lookout! Records, inventing modern ska-punk and directly birthing Rancid.

7" VINYL, LP & TAPE DISCOGRAPHY:
HECTIC7" EP (1988)
LOOKOUT-003
ENERGY12" LP (1989)
LOOKOUT-010
PLEA FOR PEACE7" Benefit EP (1992)
SLAP-A-HAM-11
HISTORICAL BAND LINEAGE ARCHIVE

OPERATION IVY MEMBER ROLL CALL

EST. 1987 // Berkeley (924 Gilman St), CA
FOUNDERS & ARCHITECTS4
★ Jesse Michaels (Founding Lead Vocals, Lyricist & Sleeve Artist — 1987–1989)★ Tim 'Lint' Armstrong (Founding Guitar & Backing Vocals — 1987–1989)★ Matt 'Matt McCall' Freeman (Founding Precision Bass & Backing Vocals — 1987–1989)★ Dave Mello (Founding Drums — 1987–1989)
ACTIVE, CLASSIC ERA & TOURING LINEUP2 MUSICIANS
• Paul Bae (Live Tenor Saxophone — Sound System & Gilman Shows)• Kevin Army (Energy & Hectic Recording Engineer at Sound and Vision)

OPERATION IVY LINEUP — INDIVIDUAL MUSICIAN DOSSIERS (3)

TIM ARMSTRONG
TIM ARMSTRONGRancid & Operation Ivy Vocalist / Guitarist & Hellcat Founder

Co-founder of Operation Ivy, Rancid, The Transplants, and Hellcat Records. Renowned for his distinct vocal rasp, street-level poetry, and unwavering dedication to the East Bay punk and ska community centered around 924 Gilman Street.

RIG: 1971 Gretsch G5191 Black Falcon Hollowbody
AMP: Marshall JCM800 2203 + 1960A 4x12 Cab
RIG PAGE
MATT FREEMAN
MATT FREEMANRancid & Operation Ivy Bass Virtuoso

The undisputed maestro of punk rock bass, famed for his jaw-dropping solo on 'Maxwell Murder' and blistering walking lines across Operation Ivy and Rancid catalogs. His machine-gun downpicking and growling tone redefined the four-string instrument.

RIG: 1977 Fender Precision Bass (Black/Maple)
AMP: Gallien-Krueger 800RB + Fender Super Bassman 300W
RIG PAGE
JESSE MICHAELS
JESSE MICHAELSOperation Ivy Founding Vocalist, Lyricist & Cover Artist

Founding vocalist, lyricist, and visual artist of Operation Ivy (1987–1989), later fronting Common Rider and Classics of Love. Jesse drew the iconic 'Ska Man' logo and penned generation-defining East Bay anthems ('Knowledge', 'Sound System', 'Take Warning', 'Unity') performed on the floor of 924 Gilman Street.

RIG: Shure SM58 Vocal Mic + Sketchbook & India Ink Pens
AMP: 924 Gilman Street Floor PA System
RIG PAGE
LIVE PIT REELS & CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS

OPERATION IVY VIDEO VAULT (1)

OPERATION IVY PIT REELS (01 / 01)Street Punk & Oi! • 1988
924 GILMAN STREET SKA-CORE // 'SOUND SYSTEM' & 'KNOWLEDGE' LIVE 1988
CLICK TO PLAY VIDEO924 Gilman Street All-Ages Collective VHS Archive
194 BPM02:15 PIT REEL
🎸 [OPERATION IVY]★ JESSE MICHAELS• Berkeley (924 Gilman St), CA

924 GILMAN STREET SKA-CORE // 'SOUND SYSTEM' & 'KNOWLEDGE' LIVE 1988

Rare 1988 Gilman Street footage of Jesse Michaels, Tim 'Lint' Armstrong, Matt Freeman, and Dave Mello igniting the original East Bay ska-core circle pit.

Track: Sound SystemTrack: KnowledgeTrack: Take WarningGear: Gibson SG & 1977 Fender Precision Bass
BAND HQ
OPERATION IVY REELS (1)
16:9 HD PIT VIDEO
#01
924 GILMAN STREET SKA-CORE // 'SOUND SYSTEM' & 'KNOWLEDGE' LIVE 1988
OPERATION IVYNOW PLAYING

924 GILMAN STREET SKA-CORE // 'SOUND SYSTEM' & 'KNOWLEDGE' LIVE 1988

JESSE MICHAELS • 924 Gilman Street All-Ages Collective VHS Archive (1988)

CLICK ANY ROW TO PLAY INLINEALL SHOWS & PIT REELS