Pepper’s sprawling new covers compilation Operation Irie is a love letter to the punk, ska, and reggae sounds that fueled the Warped Tour generation. Among the standouts is Nathan Aurora of Aurorawave, who takes on Rancid’s iconic anthem “Ruby Soho” — and, according to Pepper drummer Yesod Williams, delivers a version that’s already a classic.
“Nathan Aurora’s version of ‘Ruby Soho,'”Williams declared to The Pier in an interview prior to the song’s release. “[I] can’t wait for you guys to hear Nathan Aurora’s version of Ruby Soho, which is an absolute banger.”
For Williams, Aurora’s versatility is part of what makes the track pop. He can seamlessly shift into reggae or classic punk. Williams praised Aurora as a guy that shows a versatility and diversity in the music he creates.
That breadth of influence and execution underscores what Pepper hopes Operation Irie can achieve: bridging generations and genres while paying homage to the independent spirit that birthed both punk and reggae-rock. Every scene needs like a fresh injection of new blood, and Williams was quick to agree that fostering in the next wave of younger acts is important to maintain a scene for older bands that will eventually have to pass the torch down.
Aurora’s take on “Ruby Soho” isn’t just a respectful nod to Rancid — it’s a declaration that the next wave of artists in the reggae-punk continuum is here, and thriving.
With Operation Irie set to drop October 10th on Law Records, the compilation is packed with surprises, from Long Beach Dub Allstars reimagining Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper” to Little Stranger flipping Green Day’s “Brain Stew.” But for Williams, Aurora’s cut is one of the crown jewels. “We’ve been sitting on that one for, for a long time, like a year, I think,” he says. “Cause obviously something like this with so many moving parts, it’s like, nothing happens really directly to plan. Everything kind of comes in waves and whatnot.”
Listen Nathan Aurora’s version of “Ruby Soho” and watch The Pier’s full interview with Yesod Williams below!
