New Orleans ska band Bad Operation have been one of the most beloved bands in the New Tone Ska scene (named after a term they coined) since pretty much the moment they formed. Members previously played in Fatter Than Albert, The Flaming Tsunamis, PEARS, and other bands, and Bad Operation formed with a clear, unique focus and vision that separated them from all of their past bands and all of their peers. From their black-and-white aesthetic to a version of ska that had very little to do with the American ska-punk boom, the influence of 2 Tone was clear (hence the punny “New Tone” designation), and Bad Op borrowed from 2 Tone in a way that looked to the past to shape the future. Their 2020 debut album was received as an instant-classic, they kept the energy going on a 2023 split EP with Joe Gittleman (ex-Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Avoid One Thing), and today they return with another new single ahead of a tour with The Suicide Machines, HEY-SMITH, Kill Lincoln, and others.
Titled “I Don’t Wanna Know,” the song and its black-and-white video is classic Bad Operation and it sounds as fresh as they ever have. Its groove reminds you that ska has historically been a form of dance music, the hook is so simple and memorable that you’ve got more than enough time to learn it before the tour, and this one’s got an especially rich horn section, with trombonist/keyboardist D-Ray joined by Bad Time Records’ in-house horns duo Jeremy Hunter (aka JER) and Em Williams. The video was made by Mitch Wells. Check it out below.
The tour with The Suicide Machines, HEY-SMITH, and Kill Lincoln hits NYC on September 12 at Brooklyn Made, and that show also includes Montreal ska-punk vets The Planet Smashers. All dates are listed below.
Kill Lincoln are also about to release their new album No Normal, and we recently interviewed vocalist (and Bad Time Records boss) Mike Sosinski about that LP, the This Is New Tone film, and more.
Bad Operation — 2024 Tour Dates
with The Suicide Machines, HEY-SMITH, Kill Lincoln:
Sep 5 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
Sep 6 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
Sep 7 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
Sep 8 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Sep 10 – Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works
Sep 11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
Sep 12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made *
Sep 13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theater of Living Arts *^
w/ The Planet Smashers = *
w/ Big D and The Kids Table = ^
Oct 26 – FEST – Gainesville, FL
Nov 21 – Kill Lincoln Album Release @ 9:30 Club – Washington D.C. w/ Catbite + The Max Levine Ensemble