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Operation was formed only 8 months after lead singer and guitarist Renee-Louise Carafice was released from Te Whetu Tawera, Auckland's mental institution.
During her stay there, Renee-Louise wrote songs of the restriction and sadness of her environment in order to bring it to the light of day.
In December 2003, she joined forces with drummer Anita Worthington and bassist Steven Jallard (later replaced by Jonathon Corker), who helped her perform her "hospital songs".
Operation play hauntingly epic songs with humourous lyrics, then swap over and play silly-sounding songs with dark lyrics. This is intended to capture the simultaneous sadness and humour of institutionalisation. Operation perform dressed in doctors and nurses outfits, but they're no joke.
They expose the corruption of the mental health system and tell strange stories that many people have not come back to tell. Their sound can be likened to that of Radiohead, Elliott Smith or Grandaddy.
"Renee-Louise's voice is menacingly fragile, as she sings songs that fall somewhere in the twilight between light and dark. She dis-arms you with her bitingly honest and brutally delicate voice."
-Andrew Geekboy, cheeseontoast.co.nz
"A pure insight pill"
- Ben King, Goldenhorse
Band Members:
Renee-Louise Carafice (guitar, vocals)
Jonny Corker (bass)
Anita Worthington (drums)
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