Biography
The LJs started in Albany, CA in 1988 and created music until the early 1990's. Tim Armstrong, Joey Schaaf and Matt Freeman lived together in Albany, CA during most of the time of Operation Ivy was an active band. Their house was OpIvy headquarters as well as a crash pad for many of the out of town punk bands that played at the local all age club called The Gilman Street Project, which was just down the street. Joey had a 4 track tape recorder, some microphones and various instruments and was recording his original music in the livingroom of the little rental house where they all lived.
One night Tim and Joey got together and jammed some ska songs on acoustic guitars. There was a large stack of song lyrics Joey had written laying open near by. Tim thumbed through the lyrics and began to put them to ska style chord patterns he made up. Some LJs songs were created this way and others were total on the spot improvisation. Many nights and afternoons Tim (Lint) and Joey would sit around in play guitar and sing their songs. One afternoon while jamming Joey turned on the 4 track recorder and let it roll. After laying down the live rhythm guitar, 2nd guitar and two part vocals, Joey added harmonica, bongos, piano, shakers and layers of backing vocals and created the final mix. Joey's friend Rockesh, who had been the drummer in the band "Hunde Scheibe" (Joey, Dave and Pat Mello), joined in on the LJs song "Your Drunk Again" playing the xylophone.
After Operation Ivy broke up Tim (Vocals), Joey (Keyboards) and Matt (Guitar) played in the Dance Hall Crashers together during which time the LJs continued to play, write and record songs. In less than a year Matt and Tim left DHC and started Rancid. The LJs project faded away as Tim didn't have the time for it anymore. Joey saved all of the original 4 track cassette tape recordings and recently re-mastered them to digital format.
During the Transplants tour Tim showed some interest in the LJs by asking Joey if he still had the LJs tapes. A CD of the complete LJs recordings was sent to Tim but there has been no word from Tim about playing again. Tim Armstrong has also played in Basic Radio, Operation Ivy, Dance Hall Crashers, Downfall, The Transplants and now plays in the band Rancid. Joey Schaaf has also played with The Dance Hall Crashers, The 2:00 Tour, Ringer, The Brain Transplants, FuckFace, Zebu, Give My Regards and is now currently playing in The HO.
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