Joe Gittleman / Bad Operation Wavebreaker #4

Mighty Mighty Bosstones Legend JOE Gittleman Meets Rising SKA Stars BAD Operation FOR A NEW Split Available ON Electric Blue Vinyl For nearly 40 years, Joe Gittleman was the heart and soul of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, easily one of the most beloved and influential ska bands in the world. Although the band suddenly parted ways in 2022, Joe had no intention of also parting ways with making music... quite the opposite. With the help of some friends like Bosstones’ saxophonist Leon Silva and original Big D & The Kids Table guitarist Sean Rogan, Joe has come roaring back with a collection of solo material that rivals that of anything in his extensive and storied catalogue but is somehow also imbued with an extremely modern, fresh, and positive energy. In Joe’s mind, nothing could be more refreshing than pairing his new work with one of the most exciting bands to have hit the ska scene in years. BAD Operation released their debut record in 2020 and instantly turned the ska scene on it’s head. Combining two-tone ska with both traditional and punk elements, the band coined the term NEW Tone to describe the new paradigm they were spearheading in the ska community; one that saw the music evolving creatively, while simultaneously returning thematically to the socially consicious, progressive, and political roots of the genre. Their songs felt entirely original, but contained enough throughlines to the various iterations of ska that every generation could agree that they were doing something extremely exciting. Now, for the first time since their debut, BAD Operation is back with new music that takes their sound and style to the next level. When Bad Time Records asked who they would want to do a “Wavebreaker” split with, the question was answered the moment BAD OP learned Joe Gittleman was working on new material. Stylistcally and thematically, this is a pairing that could not be a better fit. Joe has paved the way for progressive ska music for his entire career, and the influence on BAD Operation is clear from the moment the drums kick in on “What Keeps Us Moving”, or the way the bass leads you into the extremely fun “Grandma’s Car”. Joe’s lead track “Carrie O” grabs you right away with an electronic dancehall beat (right away nodding to the evolving modern ska sound), before launching into a danceable ska punk tune that will have enough recognizable elements to please any of his long time fans. The single most important element that links these two artsists together? Joy. A joy for making ska music, and relishing the medium for everything it can offer. You can hear the love bursting out of these tracks, and even when the subject matter turns difficult you know they are facing reality with an outlook that has love for their fellow human. This is a truly special release, and one that will certainly go down as a hallmark moments in ska’s storied history.