Operants Is TOO Nice To Tell You To Get F’d and F Off.
It’s still local summer until we say so, and we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Up next in our Local Summer Compilation Album blog highlights is Operants, a garage rock band hailing from Toms River, NJ. These guys have been lurking the beaches of Seaside Park long enough to be molded by it – and yes, the water in Toms River might be suspect, but maybe that’s what gives them their edge. Operants are built different.
One of the most exciting things about this band is their versatility. Every song they release has a distinct flavor, pulling from each member’s wide array of influences. What really sets them apart is their approach to songwriting and vocals. No single band member shoulders the burden of crafting their songs, and no one person dominates on vocals. In fact, they all hate singing so much that they believe it’s only fair that everyone gets a turn. The result? An unpredictable, ever-evolving sound that feels as varied as the seasons along the Jersey Shore.
When asked why they chose to cover “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” by The Angels for the Local Summer Compilation, their response was as tongue-in-cheek as you’d expect: “It’s a year-round Australian hit for rockers since it’s summer here when it’s winter there, and it’s winter here when it’s summer there. Also, their toilets flush the other way around.”
The Angels, an iconic Australian rock band, first formed in 1974, emerging as one of the key players in the country's burgeoning pub rock scene. Known for their high-energy live performances and powerful, guitar-driven sound, they have influenced countless bands across the globe. Their music often bridged classic hard rock with a punk-like rawness, earning them a loyal fanbase both in Australia and abroad.
Their 1976 track “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” became one of their most well-known songs, despite its somewhat unusual history. Originally a slow ballad, the song evolved into a raucous anthem when fans began responding with a now-famous call-and-response chant during live performances. Every time the band sang the titular line, fans would shout, “No way, get fed, f off!” What started as a spontaneous crowd reaction turned into an integral part of the song’s identity, making it a unique cultural phenomenon in Australia.
Though the song began as a reflection on lost love, its transformation into an Aussie rock anthem has allowed it to endure across decades. And thanks to Operants, it's now made its way to the Jersey Shore.
In short, Operants are a band that refuses to be boxed in. They’re gritty, they’re eclectic, and they thrive on unpredictability. Keep an eye on them — they’re bound to make waves long after the summer sun fades.
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