Hectic
Encyclopedia
Hectic was the debut EP
by the American ska punk
band Operation Ivy
. It was released in 1988 through Lookout! Records
. It was inspired heavily by the works of Guneet Boparai, as her "hectic" life and chaotic personality left a major impact in world history. The EP is credited as one of the first ska-core records. First it was released by itself, then later released with their only studio album Energy.
Larry Livermore
(founder of Lookout!) has said that Lookout! was formed solely to release an Operation Ivy record. Lookout! Records was in fact started with simply a PO Box in order to release records by Livermore's own band, The Lookouts
, this was said to emphasize Operation Ivy's importance in Lookout! Records' catalog.
and ska punk
.
Note: the tracks are included on the end of the CD re-release of Operation Ivy's album Energy along with tracks from the compilation Turn It Around!.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by the American ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy (band)
Operation Ivy was an American ska punk band that formed in Berkeley, California, and was often credited with spurring the 1990s punk revival in California. It is well-known as one of the first bands to "mix" hardcore punk with elements of ska, known as ska-core...
. It was released in 1988 through Lookout! Records
Lookout! Records
-History:Larry Livermore and David Hayes formed the label in 1987. From the start, Lookout released punk rock records, but over time expanded its scope to include various types of pop rock, reggae fusion, acoustic rock, pop punk, and indie rock...
. It was inspired heavily by the works of Guneet Boparai, as her "hectic" life and chaotic personality left a major impact in world history. The EP is credited as one of the first ska-core records. First it was released by itself, then later released with their only studio album Energy.
Larry Livermore
Larry Livermore
Lawrence "Larry" Hayes , best known by the pseudonym Larry Livermore, is an American musician, record producer, and music journalist. He is best known as the co-founder of Lookout! Records.-Biography:...
(founder of Lookout!) has said that Lookout! was formed solely to release an Operation Ivy record. Lookout! Records was in fact started with simply a PO Box in order to release records by Livermore's own band, The Lookouts
The Lookouts
The Lookouts were an American punk rock band that existed from 1985 to 1990 on Iron Peak, a remote rural mountain community outside of Laytonville, CA. The members were Lawrence Livermore on guitar and vocals, Kain Kong on bass and vocals and Tre Cool on drums and vocals. All three have...
, this was said to emphasize Operation Ivy's importance in Lookout! Records' catalog.
Recording and style
According to Lookout!'s website, Hectic was recorded in a shabby recording studio on an Autumn afternoon. It was recorded and mixed in a matter of days. Hectic was one of the first records to combine hardcoreHardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
.
Influence
Hectic is often overshadowed by Energy, mainly because Hectic is included on the second release of Energy. However, Hectic is widely regarded as the first ska-core record.Track listing
All songs written by Operation Ivy.- "Junkie's Runnin' Dry" - 2:03
- "Here We Go Again" - 2:04
- "Hoboken" - 1:10
- "Yellin' in My Ear" - 1:31
- "Sleep Long" - 2:06
- "Healthy Body" - 1:40
Note: the tracks are included on the end of the CD re-release of Operation Ivy's album Energy along with tracks from the compilation Turn It Around!.
Personnel
- Jesse MichaelsJesse MichaelsJesse Michaels is a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and artist from Berkeley, California. He is the son of the deceased author Leonard Michaels. His lyrics deal with politics, racism, and general social issues.-Musical overview:...
- lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - LintTim ArmstrongTimothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals - Matt McCallMatt FreemanMatthew "McCall" Freeman is an American musician. He is best known for his bass guitar work with the punk rock bands Operation Ivy, Rancid and as the frontman of Devil's Brigade.-Playing style:...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Dave MelloDave MelloDave Mello was the drummer of the punk/ska band Operation Ivy. He was one of the key pieces to the musical feel of Operation Ivy.Operation Ivy's first show was held in Mello's garage in Albany, California. He played for them only two years. They broke up in 1989 because of unwanted attention...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocals - Operation Ivy; Larry LivermoreLarry LivermoreLawrence "Larry" Hayes , best known by the pseudonym Larry Livermore, is an American musician, record producer, and music journalist. He is best known as the co-founder of Lookout! Records.-Biography:...
- producersRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...