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Operator Please

August 24, 2006 New Music Posted by: Jerry Soer 37 Comments

Operator Please

I’ve only heard very little about Brisbane based five piece Operator Please. I heard that they formed the band in jest of the coolsie scene bands that were entering a high school band competition. I heard that they were only 16. And I heard that a certain US major label is interested in them. Without seeing them live, I can only assume that they are a five piece version of the Grates, who are also from Brisbane. A few months ago their ping pong song, a very quirky, jumpy, short number, got some plays on Sydney’s tastemaking radio station FBi 94.5fm. I don’t really dig their other songs on their site, some sound a bit half baked but they probably have new ones by now. Operator Please are playing next week in Sydney, so if you’re around and you dig this next tune come and join me at their show in Spectrum next Wednesday 30th September.

Operator Please – ‘Just A Song About Ping Pong‘

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http://www.myspace.com/operatorplease

Currently there are "37 comments" on this Article:

Tom&Duds says:

August 25, 2006 at 12:31 pm

every time i come back here you have a new team member! That’s not sophie sophie is it?
Jerry Soer says:

August 25, 2006 at 12:41 pm

that is sophie sophie!
Dom Alessio says:

August 28, 2006 at 10:11 am

and that’s jerry jerry
and I’m dom dom
Dan Dan says:

August 31, 2006 at 1:26 pm

So how was the show?
Jerry Soer says:

August 31, 2006 at 4:06 pm

The band is very young and seem to have lots of potential tho as with a lot of young bands, their songwriting scope seems limited and some songs sounded like they were 16 year old high school tunes. The lead singer sounded best when she was yelling or singing the fast stuff. There were a lot of instrumentation on stage but they were used minimally. They kicked off with a pretty upbeat number but sag quickly to balladry and fillers that filled the bulk of the set.

I found myself talking to Soph most of the time until the last song when they of course played the ping pong song really well. It was a very showcase-y crowd with lots of old industry dudes. Rumours has it they signed a 5 figure publishing deal on the back of that show. Good on them. Hope to hear some more material soon.
Sophie Braham says:

September 1, 2006 at 1:19 am

sophie sophie here, just agreeing with jerry jerry’s words. (overkill overkill?)
My fingers are crossed they can repeat/develop on the magic of the ping pong song cos they really came alive during this… the keyboard player pounded (and did a round of very impressive SHHHHHing), the drumming was positively furious and the violin player worked herself in to a frenzy. Plus the singer was like an MC!
It’s just a song… it’s just a song… (ok it’s totally stuck in my head now!)
Dan says:

September 1, 2006 at 3:08 pm

Ok, you’ve got me interested. Must check them out next time they play.
Annabel says:

September 3, 2006 at 7:43 pm

I saw them live over the weekend and they looked incredibly, incredibly young. Like, heaps younger than they actually are.

Their music isn’t half bad. It’ll be interesting to see how the group develops over time.
Dom Alessio says:

September 3, 2006 at 10:24 pm

These guys just signed a record deal (can’t remember the deets of it all) and they’re off to the States to record… was in one of the papers today – I’m sure it’s all because we blogged about them!
Jesse Gordon says:

September 4, 2006 at 9:50 am

I saw these guys two nights ago in Brisbane, at the globe theatre – playing two shows (an all ages and an over 18+ later that night).

It was very clear that they were young – but it’s yet to be said weather this is a bad or good thing. Of coarse there is alot of stigma attached to being young – but these guys obviously have alot talent – if anything their age is a shock factor, but nothing more. I think three of the members are actually 18 (surprising as that is).

They’re young, and they have talent. Albeit an unusual combination – the industry obviously recognises that.

I say good on them.
Tom says:

September 4, 2006 at 3:57 pm

Hey, i tend to disagree with most of your guys comments. I have heard all of thier songs which i beleive all are quality and also well written, quirky lyrics. I also believe that some of thier other songs are much better than the Ping Pong song, and that they will not be a one hit wonder. Yes they are young, 16, 17, 17, 18 and 18 but who says they cant be the next Arctic Monkeys or Silverchair, they were both very young when they first hit the scene. I was at the Spectreum show and thought it was awesome, they have great stage presence and a great live sound. I say all the best to them for thier gig at Pianos in New York, and i can’t wait to hear more songs.
Adam says:

September 6, 2006 at 10:32 pm

I totally agree with tom.
Their lyrics and song subjects are so not high school.
The subjects are a lot more mature.
If anything they are steering away from cliches of love/relationships ect..
Jane says:

September 8, 2006 at 7:38 pm

Yeah….. it seems that people tend to not give
credit to Operator Please because they are young..
Thats not fair… they are not 16 year old songs..
is that maybe a lash out because you can’t write better songs?
I think you guys need to see them as musicians trying to
entertain people and trying to get out there in the music industry.
Go Operator Please!! Your doing a fantastic job!! Keep it up
Oh, Robin! says:

September 10, 2006 at 3:00 pm

Where to start…?

A five piece version of the Grates? Come off it. The only two similarities between the two bands are the fact they are both Australian and that they both have incredible energy whilst performing.
I also wasn’t aware that the Grates had a bass, violin and keyboard player? Hmm.

Oh, and OP are actually from the Gold Coast, not Brisbane.

I can proudly say that I am a fan of the band and I have tried to attend as many of OP’s shows as possible and every time I see them perform they improve ten fold.

I just hope that your opinion of this unbelieveably talented young band changed when you saw them perform at Spectrum. They have come so far in such a short time and I think that you should cut them a little slack. They’re just young kids playing good music, nothing else.
Jane says:

October 4, 2006 at 12:24 pm

i agree.
anyone else gona comment?
Jerry Soer says:

October 6, 2006 at 10:38 pm

I, being the person who wrote this article, has realised my complete and utter idiocy on any negative comments made about Operator Please. I have looked more deeply past my poorly reviewed pre-perceptions and have come to the conlcusion that Operator Please are going all the way. Who cares if they are young. I would like to take back my comment about thier song writing, i think it is both talented and intriguing.
Once again, i would like to apologise to Operator Please for my comments, and all the best to them in the future,

Jerry- Asian Pride
Jerry Soer says:

October 7, 2006 at 2:26 am

Although that previous comment was hilarious and good hearted it is not the real Jerry Soer. Any comments by me would have been logged on and I am not taking back any comments, as it is reflective of how I feel at the time. If Operator Please or any of their fans have a problem with that, then they’ll just have to get used to criticism because the world isn’t made up of their myspace fans.

cheers,
Jerry
Jane says:

October 7, 2006 at 8:54 am

I agree with Jerry No.2 lol.
critisism is part of the music industry,
take it
Ben Worths says:

October 10, 2006 at 1:22 pm

The band have been slammed way harder than this. This is nothing compared to some of the shit going around, yet they are still doing what they do. I saw them play last Saturday night, I knew about them but never seen them before. I admit I was sceptical about them but that quickly changed, they put on a great show and pleased the crowd, regardless of some men in the front row heckling abuse at them throughout their set. They did not once let it crash their mood or performance.

Sure they are young but they are definately not babies and judging from Saturday, I can’t imagine them being the least bit concerned about negative comments people have made or criticism they have and will recieve. They have alot going for them.

PS: Fans will be fans.
Damien F. says:

November 13, 2006 at 11:15 am

I found this when google-ing the band operator please, and have to admit this whole thing makes me laugh. I dig what they’re doing, and obviously there are some others out there on the same mind track as me, to go the extent of defending them as they did.
Mac says:

November 27, 2006 at 11:33 pm

I’m rather baffled as to why people feel the need to tear apart a group of kids because they have the guts, talent and determination to give this stuff a go? I haven’t heard any of the band members claiming to be musical geniuses so I don’t understand why they need to live up to whatever arbitrary standards people seem to place on them. Seems to me that the only people who would heckle or denigrate Operator Please are those individuals who are either jealous or didn’t have the courage to make the most of themselves.
Allyce says:

December 26, 2006 at 10:22 pm

I happen to like the band, 16 year olds and all…. I think well done being so young and being signed with EMI already…my cousin, tim (the drummer of operator please) worked his arse off when he was growing up to get into the music industry so i say stop the whinging and bickering because you cant be young again….. ROCK ON SQUIGGLE!!!
NeighbourH says:

January 31, 2007 at 9:09 pm

Look, I happen to know one of the band members fairly well and although we don’t always get along I can certainly tell you that he, well all of them have worked so hard for this. Their natural talent is amazing and who cares if they are young? They had to do it some time so why not now, right?

To all the Operator Pleasee critics, don’t hate. Criticism is good, but they can’t help being young so get over it! And as for the fans, don’t stop loving them. I can’t see them going anywhere anytime soon unless it’s up the charts. Ashley, I’m sorry I doubted you in the beginning. Guess you proved me wrong but I couldn’t be happier for you! xH
Katy says:

June 15, 2007 at 6:15 am

Does anyone know the “Just a Song about PingPong lyrics?”
uuhhhhh says:

June 15, 2007 at 3:19 pm

uh.. the bands pretty good
Christopher says:

June 22, 2007 at 6:56 pm

its just a song
its just a song
its just a song

its just a song!
its just a song about ping-pong!

money on it money on it here today
i got another 50 seconds and i’m ready to play

I say money on money on it here today
i got another 50 seconds and I’m ready to play

I got my got my got my racket at hand
I’m not leaving till I win, don’t think you understand

With a dirty dirty dirty dirty look on you face
I bet you know, beef jerky’s got an after taste, Go!

money on it money on it here today
i got another 50 seconds and i’m ready to play

I say money on money on it here today
i got another 50 seconds and I’m ready to play

I got my got my got my racket at hand
I’m not leaving till I win, don’t think you understand

With a dirty dirty dirty dirty look on you face
I bet you know, beef jerky’s got an after taste, Go!

if allla you runnin, then none o’ you hiding
if allla you runnin, then none o’ you hiding
if allla you runnin, then none o’ you hiding
if all you runnin!!!

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

if allla you runnin, then none o’ you hiding
if allla you runnin, then none o’ you hiding
if allla you runnin, then none o’ you hiding
if all you runnin!!!

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

i said CHEATER!
your favorite childs in a..
i said LIAR
opposing team

its just a song
its just a song
its just a song

its just a song!
its just a song about ping-pong!

its just a song
its just a song
its just a song

its just a song!
its just a song about ping-pong!
becaboo says:

July 2, 2007 at 11:58 am

i love the drummer you are soo hot!
how old are you and are you single?
B.P.A says:

July 8, 2007 at 1:46 am

how good is all this attention.
Danii says:

July 19, 2007 at 10:45 am

I love timmy
Liesy says:

August 3, 2007 at 9:58 pm

mmm…I haven’t heard all of the songs, but i still find the ones i’ve heard quite good. I like the lyrics, they’re good. They arn’t about cliches of love and happiness, the randomness of it all is a very smart way to go.

Woop Woop Go Operator Please!

xx Liesy
Ahner says:

August 20, 2007 at 2:38 am

IT WON’T GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!

aaargh!!

Good song though…
sarah says:

August 29, 2007 at 11:35 am

hey i didnt notice that the band is from australia.
i reckon that they are going to be big!!!!!!!
and i would like to know if the drummeris single and how old is he?
Elmo says:

November 6, 2007 at 6:37 pm

operator please RULE! PLEASE come to the NT! btw tim and ashley are total spunk rats!
Elmo says:

November 6, 2007 at 6:39 pm

I luv operator please! PLEASE come to darwin to perform! btw tim and ashley are total spunk rats
Elmo says:

November 13, 2007 at 9:39 pm

omg all my friends reckon tim’s ugly except for me and 1 of my utha friends! if u think that tim and ashley are spunk rats, please leave a message! lol
Kira Yagama says:

October 2, 2008 at 6:59 pm

OK i recon that they are big in japan. I hope they play in tokyo. WE WILL GIVE THEM SUSHI >_<
lozzzzzzzzzz says:

May 14, 2009 at 9:32 pm

i (LLLLLL) operator please, saw them live and some guy was saying shit, then amandah is it? totally turned it back into the guys face. that earned my respect, they were so good live