OPERATOR VICTIM OF FAULTY CONNECTION?

The Atlantic Records heavy rock band Operator may have been a victim of the game Operator during a recent tour with Hinder, P-Roach, and Puddle Of Mudd.

The Los Angeles band Operator is currently out on tour in support of their debut album, Soulcrusher, which was released earlier this month (July 3). The band harkens back to the good ol’ days of grunge and bands like Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. Vocalist Johnny Strong formed the band with former Puddle Of Mudd guitarist Paul James Phillips.

Operator recently hit the road with Hinder, Papa Roach and Puddle Of Mudd, and Strong, who also has a background as a ultimate-fighting style martial artist, said that they didn’t exactly get along with everyone on the bill.

“[Strong] (coughs) [Phillips] “It was cool.” [Strong] (more coughs) [Phillips] “..went down the wrong pipe?” [Strong] “That question went down the wrong pipe.” [Phillips] “You know what, man? We were very grateful that a band that didn’t have a record out or have a single out at that point and a band that’s selling a whole lot of tickets was willing to take us out. We got to play in front of a lot of people every night, which is the goal — especially when you’re starting out you try to effect as many of those people, like, ‘Hey you’re here to see Hinder, but here’s this band Operator.’ [Strong] “We get along with… If there’s one thing, we’ve got this reputation as a rowdy rock band and any time certain people or situations want to tell us what to do or put us in this little box, I’m like f–k that. We’re just going to live our lives. Even if they threaten to kick you off the tour I’d say, ‘Hey. Say what you have to say.”

Strong and Phillips said that a lot of what other bands perceive of them is a bad game of telephone operator.

“I get blamed for a lot of stuff people have made all these crazy rumors about me and the rest of the band, and I think it’s because we’re really private people. We don’t try to go out and party with everybody all of the time. We try to keep to ourselves, and I think sometimes that works against us because when people don’t see you, when they don’t see what you’re doing, they make up these stories and rumors about you that you are doing all these other things. How is it possible that I smacked somebody in the head with a bottle and set their bus on fire when I was on the bus with everybody else watching a movie?” [Phillips] “It’s kind of like that game that you did in school when you start at one end and tell somebody one thing, and by the time it gets to the other end you’re burning up buildings with smalle children in them. It’s like, ‘What?! All I said was I went inside and…. [Strong] “..and got a cup of coffee.” [Phillips] “It’s k

Strong had an important message for the fans in light of all the adversity they’ve faced so far as a young band.

“There’s a lot of bands out there that won’t take Operator out for one reason or another. But there are a couple of bands out there that we made friends with, that are down with us, that will take us out. I suggest that even if you’re not fans of the bands, go the shows and support those bands that support us because that’s the true family And to all the band that won’t take us out for one reason or another you know that you’re just p—y m–herf—ers.”

While the rumors have led to the band having some difficulty booking gigs, the band has a handful of headlining dates and opening dates for Godsmack lined up. Operator is also planning a tour with Sevendust. Operator’s latest single off of Soul Crusher is the title track, and it’s currently at Number 12 on the Active Rock radio airplay chart.