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".