Matt Freeman - “Smiling” by Operation Ivy [Bass Bunker Sessions]

[@cameron2003]

When I was 15 my punk band covered this song. I spent hours playing along with the CD trying to get the bass line right. I was almost there. Funny, it was the intro the I messed up. Amazing to find this online and I can finally play it properly for the first time!

[@tbx59]

Operation Ivy basically carved out a whole genre that is still chugging along.

[@elfiligrano5010]

The thing I like most in this video is Matt smiling all the time while playing. :-)

[@BeeRumblin13]

Same as live. You can he loves playing still

[@JezelJordan]

He has a lot of friends watching

[@76Rooroo]

I absolutely LOVE LOVE this channel. I’ve been playing Bass for almost 30 yrs and now I’m 47. Matt has been and still is one of my favorite bass players ever, who’s made such an impact on me. Keep the Bass Bunker going! 🤘

[@DUCKMAN-b3l]

YESS MORE OP IVYS PLEASEEEEE WE NEED A UNITY TOUR HELLOOOOO

[@kikijeanes]

⬆!!!

[@davidhopkins7570]

10/10

[@rom15555]

huge thumbs up and yesssss more Operation Ivy

[@oneguyatthesametime]

I'm cruising in my 87 cavalier listening to this on cassette again.

[@ryanmccauley1925]

Mr Freeman, I just want you to know that Listening to the bass of your songs (whether it be smiling, unity, bombshell, Maxwell murderer, roots radicals, or whatever!) really saved me from going down the wrong road in life and got me through highschool/college angst lonely times. Your totally awesome, grooves and licks always inspire me to want more from myself and keep me going to this very day. I hope this message finds your family and You in the best health. ThankYou from the bottom and top of my heart for all your music Brother. #jus kind words from a big big fan

[@Nickel138]

It’s so weird to me that Op Ivy was so filled out. The music, the lyrics, it sounds so good to me, still, at 43 years old. It blew my mind at 16, but everything still holds up. I cringe at the songs I wrote when I was 17. Anyway, thanks for doing this! It’s so cool! You’re one of my inspirations for playing bass.

[@grantpeter6986]

Never stop this please

[@76_SPZL]

Matt kept the bass line interesting throughout every song no matter the band.

[@TheFeo2e]

it's amazing how great you sound even when you fuck up... and have the decency to point it out for us who didn't even notice... you're a legend

[@PünkĦead]

Every time I see Matt play I ask myself if I’m evening worthy as a bass player because man Matt can shred on that bass

[@garywhitehead4160]

Hints of Bruce Foxton there with the 2 Tone influence.. excellent as always 👌

[@JM-fc9gm]

Great track too. Damn.

[@alextinu8841]

I think Op Ivy was like the experimental lab that has it all, is that kind of album that gets into your head and makes you think ... "should I play bass?". Yes sir, you definitely should! Love your work! ❤

[@Mar33322]

Most excellent !

[@devinwright131]

So cool to watch this 25 years after I was a teen with this album and Wolves as my bible, now I've been a high school music teacher for 10 years. Really reminds me of how viscerally I love music, especially when I was the age of the kids that I teach. Thanks Matt. PS, really creative bass lines, damn.

[@azazelssprachen]

This was one of my favourite songs back in the day... so good!

[@iocat]

Still remember getting the hectic EP. Literally changed my life.

[@caivsivlivs]

hell yeah more operation ivy please

[@reikenkayzer]

Fantastic as always. I really hope you get around to my favorite ska song "Life Won't Wait." Would love to see an up close rendition of it as I think there's only one live performance of it (on youtube anyway). And as always, any and all Devil's Brigade wouldn't go amiss. Criminally underrated band.

[@toddbell1214]

Awesome video. You might have already done this. Have to go back and check. But a video on the music you listened to when you were a kid that got you into playing the bass. And maybe a bit of history on what you did when you first started playing. First bass, gear you used back then. What you practiced. All that stuff is interesting. Thank you 🤙

[@hollyhendriks1691]

I was interviewing Larry Livermore for our documentary I Really Get Into It. During our conversation he said that he thought you were the best bass player, period. Which is a pretty big compliment from someone I’m sure you know well. I dig all of it.

[@ChickenSagittarius]

Matts face always puts a smile on mine, he's having the time of his life, these videos are a nice way to relax too, love the channel

[@mradamrcarr]

Hoboken would be rad to see! If not on your channel, live next year during your reunion tour is fine 😉. Also, love that you finally have a channel. The appetite for your presence is far greater than you imagine.

[@arrya5372]

Sleep Long!!! You're the man, Matt!

[@MultiBmorgan]

yea I want to see every song...thx Matt!

[@TurtlePootz69]

one of the first songs i ever learned of yours was Dead Bodies. Years later i noticed i always played it wrong. would love to see that song! also thanks for the content and videos!! Mad love from the BX!

[@thadrifter_]

You got an intro!!! Rad

[@a_ionuin]

The new sound setup is great - can really hear the bass in all its glory!

[@MayGuh]

Awesome! I'd love to hear Artificial Life!

[@timstolinski8683]

I really liked the extra breakdown about the bridge and song structure. Doesn’t go down a technical rabbit hole, just a nice explanation of some things about the song from your point of view. That kind of insight is awesome to see as a fan and as a bassist.

[@embel905]

Awesome vid as always Matt, thank you so much for these! Your different bass tones over the years have always been so gnarly and I'm stoked you were able to replicate the original sound here! I think my absolute favorite bass tone ever was on Endrina So, I'd love to see you play that one for sure! I still pull a stank face every time I hear that sound, 30+ years later!

[@DamionHamilton1277]

Interesting. Probably haven't played that stuff in a long time. Interesting insights.

[@maximilliansoule-oneto8015]

Man, I wish you started this 20 years ago. This is awesome!

[@t.g.cat-rag941]

Amazing✨Great man Matt !! Very tasteful bassline🎸I also like　Operation IVY sound🎶

[@larsgarret2817]

I'm so glad this is in my Google news feed. Thank you for making these vids Matt

[@growlerthedog]

We're going for classics! I love it!

[@andreabraschi4123]

op ivy reunion is in the air!

[@strummer_matic]

The master and his instrument. Maestro take it away!

[@Grzesio007]

Matt, you're immortal by Operation Ivy tracks like this... !!!!

[@raintown]

I'd dig hearing "Here we go again" on here! Great to hear this!

[@johncritcher391]

First heard that song in ‘93. Fan ever since.

[@eviljoecarr43]

Your interviews with other bass players are great. The whole channel is great.

[@jeffturner5541]

Yeah Matt! Love the videos!

[@SKAruliet]

Thanx Matt! You're very restrained this time

[@jukejointjack]

Loved that song and that album since I was a kid Matt you rock 🤙

[@markslade6727]

Cheers Matt for another great video would love to see you do Who Would've Thought,Cocktails,Leicester Square or Fall Back Down

[@khairi4]

Thank you Matt

[@coconutthecockatiel478]

Oh I love the intro! Very cool, love the graphics. Love seeing more Op Ivy videos too

[@Jon.simmons]

Thank you for another great video. Watching these videos has really shaped my approach to bass playing.

[@f.b.jeffers0n]

Yes; this brings me back!!

[@streagan123]

Top album for me. Got me into bass for sure.

[@aaronwelch5774]

This made my day! Thanks for doing an Op Ivy tune

[@PunkTome]

yeah!!!

[@afiboy706]

Halloween, new Bass Bunker. It’s a good day!

[@kingdo22]

Thanks for continuing to put stuff out Matt!

[@rbalara31]

Another great tune. It would be cool to see you play along to someone of your favorite songs from other bands you didn't play in.

[@OldFatPunker1975]

Sounds great as usual. Thanks Matt for taking the time to make all of these videos. We really appreciate it!

[@Ty-138]

It's pretty surreal to watch you do this. Brings back so many memories and I can see from your grin that this is mutual. Oh, what comes flooding back. Thanks again Mr. Freeman.

[@nicebrickbuilds4975]

Cool to see some op ivy! More please!

[@hockeypunk76]

Always wanted to see you demo Black Lung, killer bass part

[@MistaMahoney]

awesome af to see all these videos. thank you so much! i was thinking about this the other day, when i was learning how to play guitar and bass i was really into op ivy and rancid and i just assumed that's how most bass players played bass so that's how i played it. really cool to see the actual correct way to play the songs up close finally! so many questions are being answered!

[@superpang5618]

Thanks Matt!!!

[@84durango]

Oh shit fancy new intro music, love the videos, cool to see an Operation ivy song

[@nadelfilzcypresspumpkin]

Great Video. I'd like you to do the first 8 Songs of the Rancid 5th/2000 Album (Don Giovanni till Blackhawk Down in a row - if possible). This must be a video of ~10Minutes😅 I love these songs, as it nearly sounds as on big one and if you listen to it in a car, you don't know if the last five crossings had a traffic light😉 Greetings from Germany

[@Ben_Mdws]

Matt, at some point you’ll have to do a video with that upright bass there in the corner.

[@SpyOnDeck]

Best videos on the internet 🙌 Love that you post it raw and uncut

[@sebaaceste5109]

Great bass line and great sound! Blessings 🙏

[@SpicyMcHaggis456]

Thanks for doing this channel sir, love hearing these songs while getting to see you playing along. Also, awesome job with the channel upgrades. The sound has been a lot better imo.

[@inkywafflestobygizmo2942]

Love that you are giving a deeper insight into the songs now. Awesome to see how you play it but also love to hear the history of the song.

[@pawelzawislak1671]

More Operation Ivy bass lines, please!

[@mrextremophile]

Really like the part at the end where you reflect a bit on the lines.

[@dannyderrick]

Now we're talking!

[@COMPONOLife]

Love the channel! Would love to hear a little more of the history or making of the song as well

[@paulhamernick9185]

So fun

[@alexfast9328]

Killer. One of my first shows was Operation Ivy at Gilman. Still play bass to this day!

[@BuckNaste88]

Hows the back and knees holding up? LOL

[@Theschmidt111]

Keep it up Matt, I think everyone would love to see a video chat with you a Tim sometime

[@loganknapp8905]

Would love to see a video of something from Devils Brigade!

[@justinnnmgilbert]

Thanks Matt! We really appreciate it ❤

[@bretcompton8518]

Would love to see some Devils Brigade / upright bass stuff

[@dea01ify]

I second that. I'm Movin' Through.

[@BNewt_22]

Red Hot Moon!

[@Robbyrobjames]

Can you go over the Maxwell Murder bass solo on the bass bunker? That would be amazing

[@byronromig1]

love it!

[@FatherFunk]

Such a sick bass line! Thanks for the vid!

[@samross4601]

I had no idea there were so many chromatic runs in this song!!

[@sweetlowsounds]

This isn't an audition for Juilliard; the mistakes are in the seasoning of live music. Keep the hits coming!

[@miken.4693]

What do we want to see? All of it!!! Op Ivy, Devil’s Brigade, Rancid, stuff that influenced you, theory, technique, stories, interviews and just general bullshit that we might find entertaining. Keep em coming!

[@Oldskaterguy101]

🤘

[@johndcoffee632]

Well that was awesome, thanks bro

[@janski1982]

So good!

[@niagaravdub]

Are we allowed to request Maxwell Murder? That song has my all time bass solo, and love how in live clips you look so happy playing it. I'd love for you to do it here, thank you.

[@seanarey9918]

How does he still remember this shit

[@tutscmzbasementsessions]

Devils Brigade!

[@SKAruliet]

Op Ivy is legend, but I like your bass sound in 2009. So, Matt please take one of Let The Domenoes Fall! Skull City or Damnation or something else 🎉

[@BuckNaste88]

Matt you should do some of the covers you did off the NOFX split since they are kind of trending right now.

[@DizzyD850]

Kathy Valentine, omg, that was so awesome you gave a shout out to her, she could damn sure lay down a groove, We Don't Get Along will always be one of my faves. Also, do you always play with down strokes?

[@jasonwiller3980]

🔥🔥🔥

[@jeffreya-bomb7313]

Take Warning and Bad Town!

[@chaserawr2]

❤❤❤❤❤