Tyronne
Michael Holloway
Angela 3
Tash Jayasinghe
Music Times
CibbuanoJune Weekends with Operator
October 9th 2007 01:32
On June 23rd and 24th, my husband and I were off to spend a weekend with the boys of the up and coming rock band, Operator. I have known the singer, Johnny Strong, for about six years now as we’ve been running a website together. This was my first opportunity to see him perform live and my first opportunity to meet the rest of the band in person. They did not disappoint.
Before I get started with all of this, I want to say thank you to the band for being so good to me. And thank you to Andy - you're awesome. To Atlantic, for believing in the band as much as I do, and for giving me the opportunities that I now have. And, of course, thank you so very much to Johnny. You are the reason I keep the website going and the reason that I will continue to keep it going. You're the best.
On Saturday, June 23, I arrived at the venue around a quarter to six and started heading for will call, only to discover that I left my ID. Normally, not a problem, except that I needed it to get the tickets and the photo pass. Now, for me, this is a big problem. The venue was a 35 minute drive from where I left my ID. One way. So that means I would've been back at the venue close to or after seven. Which would've put me fifteen minutes or more late for the scheduled time to meet Johnny. I was in a slight panic and hauled ass back to pick up my ID. Fortunately for me, Johnny was in a meeting so I wasn't late at all. We sped a little bit and I don't encourage that at all.
I picked up my tickets and my pass and headed inside for a bit. The first band came out, Point, and I still haven't decided what the problem was with them. It was either bad mixing or a bad singer. I'm going with mixing because the band over-powered the singer and you couldn't hear him at all and it wasn't as bad the second night. Andy called and asked to meet him out front at 8:30. No problem. Except that when I tried to leave the venue was being real jerks to me and they wouldn't let me leave unless Andy came and got me. I called him back and he came for me so we headed out.
This is where I suddenly started getting really, really nervous. I had been fine all day, but at this point, I definitely got nervous. We went into the bus and met DP, Rikki, Wade and Paul. I quickly told DP and Paul happy birthday as their birthdays were on the 26th. Johnny was still away after finishing his meeting so we sat down and imagine my surprise when UFC was on the TV. Now imagine your surprise when I actually knew who was fighting.
We sat down and talked a little bit with the band before Johnny came out. I have to admit I was a little bit, ok -very-, overwhelmed. Johnny is one of those people who has such a presence when he walks into a room that you are completely mesmerized by him. Plus, he's Johnny so that didn't hurt either. And, on my completely girlie side, I have to say quite honestly that pictures don't do the boy justice. Not one bit. The initial meeting went great, and I was pretty much at ease with him after he said hello and hugged me. I still don't know why I was nervous, except for the fact that it was Johnny and everyone knows how I feel about him. After all, there wouldn't be a site if I didn't adore him. We had a nice chat and talked some while the BJ Penn/Jens Pulver match was on. I had to ask Johnny to explain to me how they score those matches because I know next to nothing about UFC. He explained and we watched and then they had to warm up so we took off and waited for their set.
They opened with Live Your Way and I was down in the pit taking pictures. Again, the venue was assy and kicked us out after the second song, but that's okay. For me, this was such an incredibly surreal experience. For so many years we've had the site going and I never really actually thought there'd be a moment when we'd be in the same place, let alone meeting and chatting. I just took in the moment and watched the people around me. The crowd was definitely into it and I can't say I blame them. The entire band has a huge stage presence. Johnny is an amazing performer. There is a certain energy that fills the room from the moment they take the stage until the moment they step off and you are completely swept up in the moment with them.
The second song was Coldstomach and it's one of my favorite songs from the EP so I was glad to hear this one live. Even though I've heard the song a thousand times and I've heard Johnny sing these songs a thousand times, it was still very overwhelming. I can't tell you exactly how I felt in that particular moment, but I can tell you that I am very impressed with their live performance. Rikki and Paul are for sure bad ass guitar players. DP is a fucking animal on the drums. And Wade definitely knows his way around bass. The good thing about this was that there was an amazing balance between vocals and the band. There wasn't any one moment where I felt like Johnny was over-powered by any of the band and you never lost the band in his vocals either.
I tried to be good and keep a set list, but I honestly lost a couple songs because I was too caught up in them playing. The show was by all counts, awesome and I was so mesmerized by everyone's stage performance and so into the moment because of the energy that they all give off that I wouldn't realize until moments later that I missed writing down a song. It was by far one of the best performances that I've seen in a while. I know that they played Live Your Way, Coldstomach, Soulcrusher, What You Get and It Ain't Easy, but I couldn't tell you the order and I couldn't tell you what I missed. I do have to say, they do one hell of a cover of GnR's It Ain't Easy. So kudos to them (as if that's even necessary) because GnR hasn't been good for awhile. I was surprised by the amount of people who didn't seem to know who GnR were though.
After the show, we were going to meet up with them again, but Johnny was on the phone with Atlantic and it was getting late so we took off and headed out for the evening after some more assy treatment by the venue. I don't know what was wrong with them because I've seen other shows there and they were never like that, but it's okay. All in all, it was a good night.
Sunday, June 24, we headed out to Tucson to see them at the Rialto. We had a minor problem trying to find the venue because we'd never been there and I couldn't google map that day because my net was gone. We did manage to find it because we had a hunch where it was in relation to the Tucson Convention Center. Luckily, we were right.
We got our tickets, checked a few things with the staff of the Rialto and found them pleasantly nicer than the staff at the venue the night before. We headed inside and just sat in the back of the Rialto while Point and Die Cast performed. After Die Cast, we headed down to see if we could get a spot up near the front. A lot of people cleared out to get drinks and such so we were right up front. There was a boy in front of me, but that was okay because he was, oddly enough, shorter than me. There was a group of guys next to us who were talking about the band coming up next (Operator) and how it was going to be impossible to beat the last band because they were certain they were going to be the best opening act. I looked over and asked if they were talking about Operator and they said 'yeah have you heard them?' I nodded and said they kicked ass and left it at that. They seemed skeptical, but I was confident the boys would deliver. Then this girl on my left said that she overheard me and the guy beside her wanted to know who Operator was. I told him they're a new band out of LA and he asked what they sounded like. I told him I didn't like to label them really because they have their own sound, but if I had to compare them to someone I would probably say old Soundgarden, but before Chris Cornell decided to be a softy.
They opened with Live your Way and the people beside me suddenly had their attention brought back to the show. I watched them with a little grin for a moment before I went back to watching the boys up on stage. Somewhere in the first song, Johnny spotted us and the guys next to us sort of looked at us for a moment and I could tell they were trying to figure out if he knew us. Johnny gave a little smile and a wave and went back to his performance. Next they played Coldstomach and the boys next to us were going crazy. Wade spotted us and waved and then the light clicked on for the guys next to us. About this time, they played It Ain't Easy and the guys next to us came unglued. They were yelling at Johnny and they were so into the show that you couldn't help but enjoy that moment. A few minutes later, they looked over at us, gave us knuckles and high fives and shouted that I was right, Operator kicks ass. Well I tried to tell them, but I’m glad they figured it out. They played The Only One and What You get as well. For me, both shows were fantastic, but I think this show was better. Not that the band was better because they were brilliant both nights, but the crowd in Tucson was so into it that the energy just filled the room. It could also be because the venue was maybe half the size as Saturday's venue, but either way, both shows kicked some serious ass. For some reason, Wade felt it necessary to kick Paul, but Paul retaliated when Wade had his back turned and so he kicked him in the back of the leg as well. Tucson booed when Johnny said it was their last song and he said he knew, he'd love to stay too, but that they had to get off stage and the crowd clearly wasn't ready for Operator's set to be over. I wasn't either. I haven't seen a live show this good since I seen Rammstein live in Holland.
After their set, we stuck around for a few songs from Sevendust, but then I had to get out of the venue. They had a fog machine and I can’t handle those. My lungs don’t like them. We met up with Andy and headed to hang out with the guys. Now, to be completely honest with you, I was much more relaxed this time and I really had the most interesting experience this night. I was talking to Rikki & DP, who are both very nice by the way, and Johnny was looking for something because he wanted to tell me something, but couldn't remember what it was. Then I hear Soulcrusher and he's talking about how bad ass "our" site looks. It's a very odd moment to be sitting with him while he's browsing our website. And to hear him say "our" is also very weird. It's very much our site. It has always been and always will be, but still, to hear him say it out loud was a little funny.
We talked about the rumors of him getting in trouble and how he supposedly threw a beer bottle at someone. The first problem with that, is that Johnny doesn't drink so where he got a beer bottle from is pretty much magic. He doesn't go anywhere but the bus and the stage so there is no time for him to get in trouble, but like we talked about, if people don't see you, they make stuff up about you and assume you're getting in trouble. So, whatever the rumors you hear about him throwing bottles, breaking things and hitting people, they're not true.
Johnny asked why I wasn't teaming up with Atlantic, and I told him we already did that, and he corrected me a little bit. He wanted to know why I wasn't doing more web design work for bands. I told him I wasn't sure really. We talked about how people come out of the wood work when things are going your way. I figured that people would be turning up all over the place once Operator started to get some attention and I was right. But, it's just like we talked about. They're just people with a job. He's just a person with a job. Whether he's doing something or not, he's pretty much stuck with me and I told him so. And I meant it. I didn't do this because I wanted anything from Johnny or anyone else. I did this because I believe in him and I think that he's an amazing person. And he's never made me think otherwise. Johnny and I are very much alike and I think that's part of the reason I have so much respect and adoration for him.
He asked if I had heard the whole album yet and I said no. He told me to hang on and then a few moments later said he was having an advanced CD overnighted to me on Monday so that I could listen to it. He told me that I'd have to listen to it a few times, but that he promised I'd really love it. Well, I have since received the CD and its on my iPod now and I didn't need to listen to it more than once. I loved it right away. Make sure you all go out and grab it. I’ve gotten two more copies so you should too! And for those of you who have the EP, check out the changes to Delicate. It is incredible. I swear he combined it with a little bit of Here We Go Again. I love it so much.
Rikki looked at our site as well and complimented me on how bad ass it looks as well. It's very overwhelming to have them all like it, but I'm glad they do. We spent most of our time that night with Johnny and Rikki, but mostly Johnny. Rikki, Paul and Wade were in and out most of the night. DP spent some time with us as well and he's just really nice. They all were fantastic to us. A great group of guys. We took some pictures because I completely forgot to do it the first day. And I took two with the band because Wade was missing for the first one. I showed Johnny my cards and he stole one, after he asked if he could have it and I, of course, said yes. They're just little cards that have his picture on it, my info on the back and the web address to our site. We talked about having some made for the band to give out at shows with their picture and all the URLs on the back. They're pretty slick mini cards so we thought it would be a good idea. We talked about some other ideas that we both had and there is so much coming that you definitely need to stick around for!
I don't think I have laughed so hard in a really long time. All in all it was the best weekend ever and it was great to finally meet Johnny and the rest of the band. I got them to sign my Sample CDs and after hugs from everyone, we said Ciao for the evening and headed back home. I'm sure I have left things out, but I wanted to get most of it down. I'm sure there are things I skipped over, but this is the majority of it. If you haven't seen them yet, get out there and see them. It's definitely worth it.
I got home Sunday at 2:30am, was asleep by 4am and up at 6am for work. Now that's dedication..... or craziness! I did it again on September 16th and am looking forward to driving up to Vegas to spend Halloween with them as well. A report on that trip will follow the visit.
For more information about Operator visit:
UJSFC
Operator Website
Operator MySpace
Before I get started with all of this, I want to say thank you to the band for being so good to me. And thank you to Andy - you're awesome. To Atlantic, for believing in the band as much as I do, and for giving me the opportunities that I now have. And, of course, thank you so very much to Johnny. You are the reason I keep the website going and the reason that I will continue to keep it going. You're the best.
On Saturday, June 23, I arrived at the venue around a quarter to six and started heading for will call, only to discover that I left my ID. Normally, not a problem, except that I needed it to get the tickets and the photo pass. Now, for me, this is a big problem. The venue was a 35 minute drive from where I left my ID. One way. So that means I would've been back at the venue close to or after seven. Which would've put me fifteen minutes or more late for the scheduled time to meet Johnny. I was in a slight panic and hauled ass back to pick up my ID. Fortunately for me, Johnny was in a meeting so I wasn't late at all. We sped a little bit and I don't encourage that at all.
I picked up my tickets and my pass and headed inside for a bit. The first band came out, Point, and I still haven't decided what the problem was with them. It was either bad mixing or a bad singer. I'm going with mixing because the band over-powered the singer and you couldn't hear him at all and it wasn't as bad the second night. Andy called and asked to meet him out front at 8:30. No problem. Except that when I tried to leave the venue was being real jerks to me and they wouldn't let me leave unless Andy came and got me. I called him back and he came for me so we headed out.
This is where I suddenly started getting really, really nervous. I had been fine all day, but at this point, I definitely got nervous. We went into the bus and met DP, Rikki, Wade and Paul. I quickly told DP and Paul happy birthday as their birthdays were on the 26th. Johnny was still away after finishing his meeting so we sat down and imagine my surprise when UFC was on the TV. Now imagine your surprise when I actually knew who was fighting.
We sat down and talked a little bit with the band before Johnny came out. I have to admit I was a little bit, ok -very-, overwhelmed. Johnny is one of those people who has such a presence when he walks into a room that you are completely mesmerized by him. Plus, he's Johnny so that didn't hurt either. And, on my completely girlie side, I have to say quite honestly that pictures don't do the boy justice. Not one bit. The initial meeting went great, and I was pretty much at ease with him after he said hello and hugged me. I still don't know why I was nervous, except for the fact that it was Johnny and everyone knows how I feel about him. After all, there wouldn't be a site if I didn't adore him. We had a nice chat and talked some while the BJ Penn/Jens Pulver match was on. I had to ask Johnny to explain to me how they score those matches because I know next to nothing about UFC. He explained and we watched and then they had to warm up so we took off and waited for their set.
They opened with Live Your Way and I was down in the pit taking pictures. Again, the venue was assy and kicked us out after the second song, but that's okay. For me, this was such an incredibly surreal experience. For so many years we've had the site going and I never really actually thought there'd be a moment when we'd be in the same place, let alone meeting and chatting. I just took in the moment and watched the people around me. The crowd was definitely into it and I can't say I blame them. The entire band has a huge stage presence. Johnny is an amazing performer. There is a certain energy that fills the room from the moment they take the stage until the moment they step off and you are completely swept up in the moment with them.
The second song was Coldstomach and it's one of my favorite songs from the EP so I was glad to hear this one live. Even though I've heard the song a thousand times and I've heard Johnny sing these songs a thousand times, it was still very overwhelming. I can't tell you exactly how I felt in that particular moment, but I can tell you that I am very impressed with their live performance. Rikki and Paul are for sure bad ass guitar players. DP is a fucking animal on the drums. And Wade definitely knows his way around bass. The good thing about this was that there was an amazing balance between vocals and the band. There wasn't any one moment where I felt like Johnny was over-powered by any of the band and you never lost the band in his vocals either.
I tried to be good and keep a set list, but I honestly lost a couple songs because I was too caught up in them playing. The show was by all counts, awesome and I was so mesmerized by everyone's stage performance and so into the moment because of the energy that they all give off that I wouldn't realize until moments later that I missed writing down a song. It was by far one of the best performances that I've seen in a while. I know that they played Live Your Way, Coldstomach, Soulcrusher, What You Get and It Ain't Easy, but I couldn't tell you the order and I couldn't tell you what I missed. I do have to say, they do one hell of a cover of GnR's It Ain't Easy. So kudos to them (as if that's even necessary) because GnR hasn't been good for awhile. I was surprised by the amount of people who didn't seem to know who GnR were though.
After the show, we were going to meet up with them again, but Johnny was on the phone with Atlantic and it was getting late so we took off and headed out for the evening after some more assy treatment by the venue. I don't know what was wrong with them because I've seen other shows there and they were never like that, but it's okay. All in all, it was a good night.
We got our tickets, checked a few things with the staff of the Rialto and found them pleasantly nicer than the staff at the venue the night before. We headed inside and just sat in the back of the Rialto while Point and Die Cast performed. After Die Cast, we headed down to see if we could get a spot up near the front. A lot of people cleared out to get drinks and such so we were right up front. There was a boy in front of me, but that was okay because he was, oddly enough, shorter than me. There was a group of guys next to us who were talking about the band coming up next (Operator) and how it was going to be impossible to beat the last band because they were certain they were going to be the best opening act. I looked over and asked if they were talking about Operator and they said 'yeah have you heard them?' I nodded and said they kicked ass and left it at that. They seemed skeptical, but I was confident the boys would deliver. Then this girl on my left said that she overheard me and the guy beside her wanted to know who Operator was. I told him they're a new band out of LA and he asked what they sounded like. I told him I didn't like to label them really because they have their own sound, but if I had to compare them to someone I would probably say old Soundgarden, but before Chris Cornell decided to be a softy.
They opened with Live your Way and the people beside me suddenly had their attention brought back to the show. I watched them with a little grin for a moment before I went back to watching the boys up on stage. Somewhere in the first song, Johnny spotted us and the guys next to us sort of looked at us for a moment and I could tell they were trying to figure out if he knew us. Johnny gave a little smile and a wave and went back to his performance. Next they played Coldstomach and the boys next to us were going crazy. Wade spotted us and waved and then the light clicked on for the guys next to us. About this time, they played It Ain't Easy and the guys next to us came unglued. They were yelling at Johnny and they were so into the show that you couldn't help but enjoy that moment. A few minutes later, they looked over at us, gave us knuckles and high fives and shouted that I was right, Operator kicks ass. Well I tried to tell them, but I’m glad they figured it out. They played The Only One and What You get as well. For me, both shows were fantastic, but I think this show was better. Not that the band was better because they were brilliant both nights, but the crowd in Tucson was so into it that the energy just filled the room. It could also be because the venue was maybe half the size as Saturday's venue, but either way, both shows kicked some serious ass. For some reason, Wade felt it necessary to kick Paul, but Paul retaliated when Wade had his back turned and so he kicked him in the back of the leg as well. Tucson booed when Johnny said it was their last song and he said he knew, he'd love to stay too, but that they had to get off stage and the crowd clearly wasn't ready for Operator's set to be over. I wasn't either. I haven't seen a live show this good since I seen Rammstein live in Holland.
After their set, we stuck around for a few songs from Sevendust, but then I had to get out of the venue. They had a fog machine and I can’t handle those. My lungs don’t like them. We met up with Andy and headed to hang out with the guys. Now, to be completely honest with you, I was much more relaxed this time and I really had the most interesting experience this night. I was talking to Rikki & DP, who are both very nice by the way, and Johnny was looking for something because he wanted to tell me something, but couldn't remember what it was. Then I hear Soulcrusher and he's talking about how bad ass "our" site looks. It's a very odd moment to be sitting with him while he's browsing our website. And to hear him say "our" is also very weird. It's very much our site. It has always been and always will be, but still, to hear him say it out loud was a little funny.
We talked about the rumors of him getting in trouble and how he supposedly threw a beer bottle at someone. The first problem with that, is that Johnny doesn't drink so where he got a beer bottle from is pretty much magic. He doesn't go anywhere but the bus and the stage so there is no time for him to get in trouble, but like we talked about, if people don't see you, they make stuff up about you and assume you're getting in trouble. So, whatever the rumors you hear about him throwing bottles, breaking things and hitting people, they're not true.
Johnny asked why I wasn't teaming up with Atlantic, and I told him we already did that, and he corrected me a little bit. He wanted to know why I wasn't doing more web design work for bands. I told him I wasn't sure really. We talked about how people come out of the wood work when things are going your way. I figured that people would be turning up all over the place once Operator started to get some attention and I was right. But, it's just like we talked about. They're just people with a job. He's just a person with a job. Whether he's doing something or not, he's pretty much stuck with me and I told him so. And I meant it. I didn't do this because I wanted anything from Johnny or anyone else. I did this because I believe in him and I think that he's an amazing person. And he's never made me think otherwise. Johnny and I are very much alike and I think that's part of the reason I have so much respect and adoration for him.
He asked if I had heard the whole album yet and I said no. He told me to hang on and then a few moments later said he was having an advanced CD overnighted to me on Monday so that I could listen to it. He told me that I'd have to listen to it a few times, but that he promised I'd really love it. Well, I have since received the CD and its on my iPod now and I didn't need to listen to it more than once. I loved it right away. Make sure you all go out and grab it. I’ve gotten two more copies so you should too! And for those of you who have the EP, check out the changes to Delicate. It is incredible. I swear he combined it with a little bit of Here We Go Again. I love it so much.
Rikki looked at our site as well and complimented me on how bad ass it looks as well. It's very overwhelming to have them all like it, but I'm glad they do. We spent most of our time that night with Johnny and Rikki, but mostly Johnny. Rikki, Paul and Wade were in and out most of the night. DP spent some time with us as well and he's just really nice. They all were fantastic to us. A great group of guys. We took some pictures because I completely forgot to do it the first day. And I took two with the band because Wade was missing for the first one. I showed Johnny my cards and he stole one, after he asked if he could have it and I, of course, said yes. They're just little cards that have his picture on it, my info on the back and the web address to our site. We talked about having some made for the band to give out at shows with their picture and all the URLs on the back. They're pretty slick mini cards so we thought it would be a good idea. We talked about some other ideas that we both had and there is so much coming that you definitely need to stick around for!
I don't think I have laughed so hard in a really long time. All in all it was the best weekend ever and it was great to finally meet Johnny and the rest of the band. I got them to sign my Sample CDs and after hugs from everyone, we said Ciao for the evening and headed back home. I'm sure I have left things out, but I wanted to get most of it down. I'm sure there are things I skipped over, but this is the majority of it. If you haven't seen them yet, get out there and see them. It's definitely worth it.
I got home Sunday at 2:30am, was asleep by 4am and up at 6am for work. Now that's dedication..... or craziness! I did it again on September 16th and am looking forward to driving up to Vegas to spend Halloween with them as well. A report on that trip will follow the visit.
For more information about Operator visit:
UJSFC
Operator Website
Operator MySpace
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Comment by Tyronne
Music Times
Sydney Fun
Vintage Culture
Melbourne DiaryStar
Sounds like a fun time was had by all at the concert, I envy your contacts
Comment by Angela 3
It was great. I'm looking forward to the next shows.
My contacts came with a lot of hard work, but hopefully I can put them to good use to bring you all some good stories!