ALBUM REVIEW: Laura Jane Grace/Catbite “Operation Ivy Live at The Empty Bottle”
Release: Operation Ivy Live at The Empty Bottle
Band: Laura Jane Grace/Catbite
Label: Self-Released
Year: 2025
Score: 9/10
review by Ricky Frankel
As I have stated before, 2024 was a pretty consequential year for the punk scene mainly because significant bands like NOFX, OFF!, Sum 41, and X all announced that they were calling it quits respectively. However, one of the coolest collaborations in recent memory occurred last year as well. Laura Jane Grace and ska band, Catbite joined forces to perform a few all-Operation Ivy cover sets together. Videos of the performances popped up on the internet here and there, and what ska-punk fans saw was something absolutely amazing — something they could only dream of seeing performed live. And let’s face it, while it would be incredible, it doesn’t look like an Operation Ivy reunion will be happening anytime soon (I really, really hope that I am wrong about that though). So seeing a legend like Laura Jane Grace team up with a stellar “new tone” band like Catbite to perform arguably the best ska-punk songs ever written is a very special alternative. And what better way to start off the new year than to release a recording of one of the shows for those of us who were not able to attend.
Typically, I’m not one for live albums, but ‘Operation Ivy Live at The Empty Bottle’ is quite the exception. Laura Jane Grace and Catbite crammed 27 songs (plus one spoken track) from both ‘Energy’ and the ‘Hectic EP’ into their setlist. Laura Jane Grace takes on Jesse Michaels’ lead vocals while Brittany Luna sings Tim Armstrong’s backing vocals. You can tell from the recording that the energy in the room is palpable. The crowd is very hyped. And really, why wouldn’t they be? The performance is damn near flawless. Laura’s vocals are so forceful and powerful especially during “Sound System,” “Yellin’ In My Ear,” and “Unity” while Luna really shines on “Vulnerability” and “Big City.” For me though, the highlights are when they play my favorite Op Ivy song, “The Crowd” and when Laura shouts the intro to “Big City” just like the original recording off ‘Energy.’ Plus, it’s very cool that the group made the songs their own a little bit by sprinkling in some keyboard into a solid amount of the setlist, too. It accents these legendary ska-punk tunes very nicely.
There isn’t a lot of between-song-banter from Laura Jane Grace and Catbite throughout the record. However, another huge highlight of this live LP is the story Grace tells right before they go into performing the song, “Officer.” It’s too amazing to spoil in a review, so I’ll leave it at that — just go listen to it. I promise it’s THAT GOOD.
Also, it is worth noting that the sound quality for this live album is crisp and clear. Sometimes live albums can have really bad audio quality, but not this one. Jacopo Fokas, who took care of recording and mixing board, and Ben Perry, who mixed the album itself, did a great job here.
There really isn’t much else to say about ‘Operation Ivy Live at The Empty Bottle.’ This is such a creative and fun idea from Laura Jane Grace and Catbite. Hopefully they continue to perform these songs together in the future. And for those that couldn’t make it to one of the past shows, this album makes you feel like you really are there. The only thing that is left to do for ‘Operation Ivy Live at The Empty Bottle’ is to get it pressed on vinyl.
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Ricky Frankel
ricky@rickyfrankel.com
About the Author
Denise Borders 41, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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