Operator is a post-grunge band from Los Angeles, California, United States. The band features former Puddle of Mudd guitarist Paul Phillips and vocalist Johnny Strong, a part-time actor who has appeared in movies such as Black Hawk Down and The Fast and the Furious. 

Early years and "Can You Hear Me Now"

Operator began as a solo project by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Johnny Strong, who along with those pursuits is also a stuntman, competitive fighter, and occasional actor. The first Operator album, 2003's Can You Hear Me Now, was a self-released demo, and is very hard to find. But soon, it attracted the attention of Atlantic Records, which signed Operator in 2005.

"Soulcrusher" and breakthrough

Strong soon began recording Operator's Atlantic debut as a solo album, but eventually lead guitarist Paul Phillips (Puddle of Mudd), rhythm guitarist Ricky Thomas, bassist Wade Carpenter, and drummer Dorman Pantfoeder completed the lineup. Thus aggregated, Operator's Atlantic debut, Soulcrusher, was released in the summer of 2007. The album has since sold over 7,500 copies and peaked #14 on the heatseekers chart and has produced three singles: Soulcrusher, Nothing to Lose, and Delicate.

Future plans

Guitarist Ricki Lixx soon left the band in 2008 and joined Rev Theory. Soon, guitarist Paul Phillips left the lineup as well. On April 3, 2008 the Jacksonville Florida band Society Red announced on their Myspace page via a bulletin that Paul Philips was joining the band. In June 2008, the band (what was left) released a cover of Guns 'N Roses' It's So Easy on their MySpace page. It is currently unknown whether or not the track will be included on the next album. However, on June 13 2008, they posted a bulletin via their Myspace announcing that they will be recording another album.
According to Harddrive, Operator is on hiatus while vocalist Johnny Strong works on a new movie Sinners & Saints.