Knowledge (song)
Encyclopedia
"Knowledge" is a hardcore punk
song by the ska-core band Operation Ivy
. It was written by lead vocalist Jesse Michaels
and appeared on the album Energy.
During the opening of the song at Operation Ivy's last show at Gilman St. (which was released on the "Lint Rides Again" bootleg), Michaels opens the song by saying that "this song is called 'Knowledge', and it's about growing up."
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
song by the ska-core band Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy (band)
Operation Ivy was an American ska punk band that formed in Berkeley, California, and was often credited with spurring the 1990s punk revival in California. It is well-known as one of the first bands to "mix" hardcore punk with elements of ska, known as ska-core...
. It was written by lead vocalist Jesse Michaels
Jesse Michaels
Jesse Michaels is a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and artist from Berkeley, California. He is the son of the deceased author Leonard Michaels. His lyrics deal with politics, racism, and general social issues.-Musical overview:...
and appeared on the album Energy.
During the opening of the song at Operation Ivy's last show at Gilman St. (which was released on the "Lint Rides Again" bootleg), Michaels opens the song by saying that "this song is called 'Knowledge', and it's about growing up."
Popularity and covers
- The song is one of the most popular songs by Operation Ivy, and has been covered by many artists, including a notable cover by fellow BerkeleyBerkeley, CaliforniaBerkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
musical trio Green DayGreen DayGreen Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
on their EP SlappySlappy-Personnel:* Billie Joe Armstrong - lead vocals, guitar* Mike Dirnt - bass, backing vocals* Al Sobrante - drums* Aaron Cometbus - backing vocals, "teeth" on "Knowledge"-Notes:* The dog on the cover of Slappy was known as Mickey...
(also featured on the compilation album 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours1,039/Smoothed out Slappy Hours-Track listing:-Origin of tracks:* Tracks 1–10 from 39/Smooth * Tracks 11–14 from the extended play Slappy * Tracks 15–18 from the extended play 1,000 Hours...
). When Green Day performs the song live, fans are invited to come on-stage and play instruments. - The AquabatsThe AquabatsThe Aquabats are an American rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their mythology, in which they claim to be superheroes on a quest to save the world from evil through music...
recorded a cover for the Operation Ivy tribute album Take Warning: Songs of Operation Ivy. - A MillencolinMillencolinMillencolin is a punk rock band that was formed in October 1992 by Nikola Šarčević, Mathias Färm, and Erik Ohlsson in Örebro, Sweden. In early 1993, drummer Fredrik Larzon joined the band...
cover of the song is available on their compilation The Melancholy CollectionThe Melancholy CollectionThe Melancholy Collection is a compilation album by the Swedish punk rock band Millencolin, released on July 29, 1999 by Burning Heart Records. The album combines the band's first two EPs, b-sides from their singles, and other rare and unreleased tracks...
. - Even in BlackoutsEven in BlackoutsEven in Blackouts, known occasionally by the acronym EiB, were an acoustic pop-punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 2002 by veteran pop-punk guitarist John 'Jughead' Pierson following the demise of the pop-punk band Screeching Weasel, for which Pierson had performed since 1986...
recorded a version of the song for their album Myths & Imaginary Magicians. - Evergreen TerraceEvergreen Terrace (band)Evergreen Terrace is a five-piece melodic hardcore/metalcore band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1999, they are named after the street on which The Simpsons claim residence...
recorded a version of the song for their cover album Writer's Block.
Personnel
- Tim ArmstrongTim ArmstrongTimothy Lockwood Armstrong is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with punk rock bands Rancid, Operation Ivy, Downfall, and the Transplants. He is also the owner and operator of Hellcat Records.-Personal life:Armstrong was born November 25, 1965 and was...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, background vocals - Jesse MichaelsJesse MichaelsJesse Michaels is a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and artist from Berkeley, California. He is the son of the deceased author Leonard Michaels. His lyrics deal with politics, racism, and general social issues.-Musical overview:...
- lyrics, lead vocals - Dave MelloDave MelloDave Mello was the drummer of the punk/ska band Operation Ivy. He was one of the key pieces to the musical feel of Operation Ivy.Operation Ivy's first show was held in Mello's garage in Albany, California. He played for them only two years. They broke up in 1989 because of unwanted attention...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, background vocals - Matt McCallMatt FreemanMatthew "McCall" Freeman is an American musician. He is best known for his bass guitar work with the punk rock bands Operation Ivy, Rancid and as the frontman of Devil's Brigade.-Playing style:...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, background vocals