Energy - Operation Ivy (1989)

Ska punk is a punchline for a lot of people, and I’m not going to argue too hard. There’s a lot of bad ska punk. But if you listen to one ska punk album it should be this one.

The Bay Area punks played some really fantastic hardcore that happened to have some ska beats. It worked because it was never too far away from its hardcore roots, but had a definite sense of humor and showmanship.

The band also featured deeper-than-average lyrics, examining the difficulties of youth and the punk scene and living honestly in a rigged world.

Op Ivy broke up rather than take a major label record deal. I’ve always imagined there was more to it than just an anti-authority streak, but it was a punk AF move that cemented them in underground and DIY lore.

Tim and Matt from Op Ivy went on to form Rancid, who signed to Epitaph (the major label of punk) and found a lot of success.

I do love going back to this album.

Tracks I Liked

Knowledge - Weirdly, I’m pretty sure their cover of this was the first time I heard Green Day

Sound System - My favorite. There might never be a bad time to play this. OK, funerals, maybe. And dark, eldritch rituals.

Unity - a self-aware banger

Bankshot - a surf-inspired instrumental

One Of These Days - I guess it used a small enough chunk of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walking that they got away with not being sued.

Room Without A Window - Plato’s cave but louder