Getting to Know… Operation Offbeat | Interview 🎤

For the 124^th interview on The Musical Hype, we get the goods ono ska-infused UK rock collective, Operation Offbeat.

“Something we got to hear a lot after gigs is, ‘I’m usually not into Ska, but I liked this!’…We’re a rock band you can dance to.” That’ll definitely distinguish you from other rock bands, right? RIGHT! With Operation Offbeat, the interviewees on the 124^th interview in our Getting to Know… series, we certainly bring a different flavor from the UK.  Operation Offbeat encompasses ska, reggae, rock, punk, pop, and soundtracks – or so their Facebook page asserts! As you can gather from the aforementioned quote, as well as the variety of genres, OO are quite the intriguing collective.  Likewise, Getting to Know… Operation Offbeat: Interview #124 is quite an intriguing interview that you should DEFINITELY check out. NOW!

Starting things off right, for those who may not be familiar with Operation Offbeat, what would you say makes your band distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off? 

We don’t aim to be unique at all cost – in fact, we want to be like other bands, it’s just that’s a lot of bands, and they come from all musical corners. Maybe that? With the exception of yours truly, no one in the band had anything to do with Ska music before this line up got together, and I think you can hear that in a good way! Something we got to hear a lot after gigs is, “I’m usually not into Ska, but I liked this!” and I think that is true for the band as well. We’re a rock band you can dance to.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did your band form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

It had always been my dream to become a part of the UK ska scene; but I’ve never managed to get my band over, seems touring is not as attractive to everyone as it is to me…! So, a few years ago, a bit out of frustration; a bit out of zest for action, I went to form a band there. With me commuting from Hamburg and couch surfing. That band went through some lineup changes, and after one of those we named the band Operation Offbeat, then gigged in southern UK and Germany – that was the vision at the time. But learning over time what’s possible, I want to grow as a song writer now, record another album and go places.

Let’s talk more about goals. Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

I would have to admit, that my main incentive when going to London was to show my bandmates what can be done, if you know what you want. And are a bit mad and not easily stressed out. And if you take advantage of cheap flying, which is something I’m not that proud of in hindsight. However, now that the door is open, I’d like to produce an album that sparks the positivity of the experience, and that gets us further. Literally, further around the planet, touring, not the esoteric‚ further…! I like our first two albums and most of the songs on them, but each production was a struggle and sometimes a fight. That has to change. Call me old fashioned, but I believe attitude is audible.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

If I was allowed to help myself from the big buffet of Rock and Roll… I’d like the live energy of Jason and the Scorchers. The punch of the E-Street-Band. Tim Timebomb’s spontaneousness. Tina Turner’s standing power comes to mind; that woman went through hell and back and managed to turn all the terrible experience into this incredible performance, she is undefeatable! Also, I admire Ennio Morricone’s melodies, and I’d wish to be in a band that stays together as long as for instance ZZ Top, U2 or Aerosmith. And, I wish to stay in the game until it all works out, like Anvil!

Ah, the fun stuff. What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance? Feel free to be creative.

The most embarrassing thing happened when OO was just getting together, before we ever toured… When I was new in London, I was putting on ads to find musicians, and I sent them mp3 demos I made at home. One of those songs was called “Alarm,” and it was basically about annoying people. You know, people who’d walk too slow in front of you and the like. Not fine arts at all, pretty nonsensical, absurd lyrics. One of those lines was something like, “Back in the good old days you’d just shoot the nagger in your way, like in the wild west,” I don’t remember it exactly, but something like that. I was sending that track to at least three singers who were asking to audition – and wondered why I never heard back from any of them. Now, think of the word ‘nagger’ in a German accent. I swear I had no idea. Guys, if you read this, I am not a racist.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

“Fire!” For a few reasons – it is pretty spontaneous, as it was not meant to become a song in the first place. I had just bought me a new acoustic guitar and whistles at that time, and I was playing around just for fun, and wrote down something simple to do a microphone test. Also, the words are the first that I’ve written that are unironically meant to be uplifting, and I like that. I find it tougher than being sarcastic all the time, sarcasm in this case just means you want to say the same thing, but you walk through the back door cause you’re afraid. I think you give away a lot of yourself being openly happy, there’s always the dimwits with their complexes, taking the piss or trying to pull you down another way. Anyway, both the mean lyrics and the nice ones I write are for keeping the dimwits at distance!

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

I’m an aspiring historian, cat lover and a mediocre cook. I can feel a concept album coming up. The world needs to know! Also, I have a talent to always be the decisive minute too late. My drunk superpower is texting – should I ever become successful, a lot of ex girlfriends and ex bandmates might show up out of nowhere and blackmail me. Also, there might be a book someday.

Closing things out, what is Operation Offbeat currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

While I write this, I am texting with the trombone player who’ll play on our next album – we have 12 new tracks ready and plan on releasing next spring. And when I’m finished here, I’ll post a picture from the upcoming “Cross the line” video on our FB; I don’t know exactly when it’ll be finished, but I guess in the next days. And in case this corona BS ever goes away – we’re already planning some exchange gigs with Eat The Evidence from London, who we gigged with before – to be announced once we can be sure!  In 2021 there’ll also be another collaboration with the specialized project, and if you haven’t heard of them please check them out, they’re brilliant.

Photo Credits: Ashley Greb Photography, Operation Offbeat, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype