After almost a ten-year hiatus from music altogether, ex-Operation Ivy lead singer Jesse Michaels reappeared on the punk scene in 1999. Common Rider united Michaels (also on guitar) with a rhythm section of bassist Mass Giorgini (formerly of Squirtgun) and drummer Dan Lumley (Screeching Weasel). Their debut album, Last Wave Rockers, was released in 1999 on Lookout! Following up three years later on Hopeless Records, the trio enlisted the help of some friends (including the Teen Idols' Phillip Hall, Bratmobile's Audrey Marrs, and Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, among others) for This Is Unity Music. ~ Steve Huey