Biography
Operation Ivy was formed in May 1987 and was named after the code name of a 1952 American nuclear weapons testing program.
The band consisted of Jesse Michaels (lead vocals), Tim Armstrong (guitar, vocals), Matt Freeman (bass, vocals), and Dave Mello (drums). Prior to the formation of Operation Ivy, Armstrong and Freeman had played together in the Berkeley ska punk band Basic Radio.
Operation Ivy’s first live performance was on May 27, 1987, in Dave Mello’s garage. The next day began a tradition of performances at the Berkeley punk collective center 924 Gilman Street. Operation Ivy began playing a number of performances which led to its almost immediate cult-following.
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Members