Inspired by the legendary Punk-O-Rama and Warped Tour compilations, Pepper and LAW Records have officially launched Operation Irie, a genre-blending compilation that reimagines punk classics through the lens of today’s reggae rock scene. This project honors the raw energy of 90s and 2000s punk while showcasing a vibrant array of artists who are keeping that punk spirit alive—now with a sweet reggae twist.

Imagine Punk-O-Rama infused with Kona surf vibes, featuring a lineup that includes Little Stranger, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Passafire, Cydeways, and Micah Brown of Iration. Admittedly, I’ve never been a huge punk fan and had to look up some of the original versions while writing this review. However, what I heard was pure genius.

The album opens with a daring choice for Pepper: a cover of Bad Religion's "Generator." This song is considered sacred ground, so it was bold for Pepper to take it on, but they executed it flawlessly. They showcased their Hawaiian reggae-punk roots beautifully with this rendition. Yesod Williams recently told The Pier, “We absolutely are a punk band that plays reggae. Even if you listen to 'Give’n It,' our first record, you know what I mean? There are definitely some punk rock tunes on there, as well as a bunch of ska tunes. So, yeah, it’s just another branch of what we love, and it’s absolutely full circle.”

Nathan Aurora joins in on the Rancid track "Ruby Soho," delivering a wonderful lyrical flow while Pepper infuses the song with a great reggae vibe. The Offspring hit "Come Out and Play" features Passafire, which adds to the fun. I feel like this song has always had the potential to be a Pepper tune; it carries the same vibe and flow, and they do a fantastic job of incorporating that Hawaiian reggae beach atmosphere.

Pepper and Little Stranger’s rendition of Green Day’s “Brain Stew” stands out on the album, turning the grunge riff into a hypnotic and captivating jam. Little Stranger was an excellent addition to this track. Additionally, Butthole Surfers’ classic song “Pepper” features Long Beach Dub Allstars, making for a powerful remake. While this version leans less toward reggae, it remains a strong track.

The punk-ska classic “Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts” by Less Than Jake features Ballyhoo! teaming up with Pepper. Ballyhoo! is an excellent choice for this track, as their style fits perfectly within the vibe of Howie and the band. It’s another standout song on the album.

Another great selection is the punk-ska classic “Here in Your Bedroom,” which showcases Bumpin Uglies stepping in for Goldfinger and delivering an impressive performance. A shout-out to Baltimore for bringing us two fantastic punk-ska-reggae tunes filled with energy and great vibes.

We also hear another Offspring song, “Why Don’t You Get a Job,” featuring Surfer Girl alongside Pepper, who provides a fantastic version of the track. Pepper brings a strong upbeat island and pop groove, while Surfer Girl flows seamlessly with the rhythm.

The incredibly energetic and upbeat “On the Outside” by No Use For A Name takes a slightly different turn with a sweet chill reggae vibe. The Expendables join Pepper, delivering an exciting blend of punk and reggae, effortlessly switching between the two genres.

Pepper introduces us to another powerful punk song, Millencolin's "No Cigar," with Cydeways leading the charge. This is a perfect choice for the remake, as Dustin delivers an impressive flow. "All I Want" features Kyle Smith contributing to another solid selection from this Offspring classic. One of the tracks that truly showcases a different vibe is Face to Face's "Blind." Mike Pinto and Pepper bring a solid classic roots reggae rhythm to this energetic punk groove, creating a great vibe and a refreshing change.

Micah Brown adds a delightful touch to the No Use For A Name song “International You Day” with a beautiful acoustic version, delivering a heartfelt vocal tribute. This rendition brings a warm Hawaiian island vibe to the classic punk track. Additionally, “Silly Girl” by the Descendents features Tunnel Vision collaborating with Pepper, creating an exciting punk-ska-reggae fusion. They maintain the original energy while incorporating a laid-back island chill.

It's time for some skateboarding and chilling with blink-182's "Josie." Casey Smiles, which blends reggae, alternative, surf, and hip-hop, is the perfect choice to join Pepper on this upbeat and fun track. The excitement continues as Fortunate Youth collaborates with Pepper on the classic Pennywise song "Same Old Story." Dan Kelly sounds fantastic, and the song seamlessly flows between punk energy and the reggae vibe that Pepper delivers.

Shifting gears from the reggae artists, punk band Authority Zero joinsPepperfor a remake of theFugazisong "Waiting Room," giving it a much more punk feel.Pepperwraps up the fun with theNOFXclassic "Linoleum," slowing it down to create a sweet island and rootsy groove that works exceptionally well, with Brett delivering some beautiful vocals.

This is truly a fantastic idea for an album. Yesod and Kaleo both describe the project as a "beautiful retrospective" that honors the music that shaped their youth while showcasing the versatility of the reggae-rock community. The historical connection between reggae and punk, which dates back to the 1970s, adds even more significance to this endeavor.

Initially, Bob Marley dismissed punk rock, but he later came to appreciate the connection between the two genres due to their shared rebellious spirit. This shift was inspired by his encounter with punk-rock DJ Don Letts, which led Marley to write the song "Punky Reggae Party" as a nod to bands like The Clash and The Damned. The two movements influenced one another, with punk musicians incorporating reggae rhythms and Marley recognizing their common status as "outcasts from society." For Pepper, this project represents more than just history and nostalgia; it is a full-circle moment.

One Love – Todd M. Judd