Letters.

What happened to Jesse Michaels?

A. Here is a letter from Jesse explaining what he has been up to: 

Dear friends of Operation Ivy: 

     Over the years it has become obvious that interest in Operation Ivy is not declining.. For personal reasons I have chosen to stay out of the limelight, but I decided to make this letter available to answer certain questions that people ask me all the time. 

A) Why did OPIVY break up?
     Mainly because of band conflicts. I left the band because of a few issues, many of which I don't even remember, which seemed unresolvable. It's not really my place to hash them out in public but I will say that over the years I have come to realize my part in creating some of the problems. 

B) Are you still playing music?
     I am still writing music, but not in a band. I may do something in the future, but it probably wouldn't be a straight punk band. 

C) Any chance of an Operation Ivy reunion?
     Although it would be fun, I've always respected bands that end clean. Anything can happen, but I think it would show more class not to. 

D) What do you think of Rancid?
     I think they are great. Tim Armstrong is one of the best songwriters I have ever heard. You can not fuck with their rhythm section. Lars is awesome. I think they deserve every bit of success they have achieved. 

E) What have you been doing since Operation Ivy broke up?
     After Operation Ivy broke up I went through a period where I was into more negative type punk bands such as The germs. It was fun but I gradually became interested in not waking up in a puddle of vomit and so I decided to get my shit together. I got heavily into Zen Buddhism for a while in 1992 and even became a monk for about 6 months. From this experience I learned the deep spiritual truth that it is cold as shit at four a.m. when you're wearing a silly robe. Currently I am learning how to play guitar, taking a class, and continuing to do art for Lookout. I am mainly writing this to clear a couple of absurd rumors ( although it's tempting to just let them fester ). 

F) What do you think of all this shit?
     I think that it's great. I often ask myself how I got so lucky to be part of something so cool- especially something which seems to be meaningful to other people. In spite of problems we were always extremely passionate and united in playing the music. The exhilaration and love I felt when we were playing is beyond explanation. Of course I'm thrilled and very grateful that lots of other people understood and participated. 

     I hope this answers some of the questions people have about Operation Ivy. Although I am not currently active in the punk scene I still stand by all of my lyrics and the essential message which I think is basically: Think for yourself, have hope, don't forget to have fun!

     Yours in unity and gratitude, Jesse Michaels.

Interviews

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January 4, 1998 Examiner article

 Ben Weasel vs. Jesse Michaels

Yahoo!Chat Jesse Michaels

Jesse interview with RUDE

Interview with Larry Livermore

Jesse interview with Simon

Heckler Mag interview with Jesse

Guitar School interview with Lint

FatFreeRadio Interview with Jesse

DallasObserver's story

Journey To the End of the East Bay

Rancid - ...and Out Come the Wolves CD track 11

Reconcile to the belief, consumed in sacred ground for me. There wasn't always a place to go, but there was always an urgent need to belong, yeah. All these bands and all these people, all these friends and we were equals, but what you gonna do when everyone goes on without you.

To the end, to the end, I'll journey to the end

Started in '87 ended in '89, you got a garage or an amp, we'll play anytime. It was just the four of us, yea the core of us, too much attention unavoidably destroyed us. Four kids on tour three thousand miles in a four door car not knowing what was going. Years it would turn out like this. Hell, no no premonition could have seen for.

My friend came from far away, from New Orleans into the East Bay
He said this is a Mecca. I said: "This ain't no mecca, man, this place is fucked." Three months go by he had no home, he had no food, he was all alone. Matty said: "Fool me once. shame on you." He said: "Fool me twice, he went back to New Orleans"