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Kaleo Wassman – Vocals/Guitar
Bret Bollinger – Vocals/Bass
Yesod Williams – Drums
“It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done as a band to make this record,” says guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman of Pepper, in speaking on the recording process of their new self-titled album. “It speaks loudly and widely to a broader audience while maintaining everything good about the band, which, first of all, is our positive attitude.” After releasing five albums, Pepper has opened a new chapter in their storied career. Drummer Yesod Williams adds, “This record feels very cohesive in a way our past releases maybe didn’t. I think it’s an album that can appeal to everyone, as well. We’ve been pigeonholed in the past so this is an opportunity to transcend all that and spread our wings even wider.”
The trio, who formed in 1997 and moved to the mainland from their hometown of Kailua Kona, Hawaii in 1999, pressed pause after the release of their fifth album, Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations, in 2008. There was a sense of fatigue and disunity amongst the three musicians, who took some time off from music both apart and together before rejoining to create an EP, Stiches, in late 2010. The songs on that release re-energized the group, revealing an urgent desire to make a new album that reflected where they are in their lives and career now. After some tour dates in support of the EP, Pepper sat down and focused on their sixth album, a self-titled released that swings open the door on this new chapter.
The musicians went into the studio with Matt Wallace, a producer known for his work with Maroon 5, O.A.R. and Faith No More, in early 2012. Matt helped focus the group’s vision and expand their musical knowledge base, an experience the band members compare to being in their own version of college. The album was recorded in various studios over the course of a year, honing in on Pepper’s re-defined self-identity and how that focus was reflected in the songs.
“We learned so much,” Yesod says. “Matt help us really focus on the art of songwriting. He sat in the room with the three of us with a fine-tooth comb and went over every word, every melody, every sound. He showed us that it’s important what you do play as well as what you don’t play, creating both spaces in the songs. We learned how powerful simplicity can be. Plus, we had such a good time recording this album and I think that shows.”
The resulting album, self-titled to accentuate where the band feels they are presently, broadens Pepper’s style, veering into new sonic territory while still retaining all the fun elements that make the band so beloved by their fans. The ever-present sense of life surges through the tracks, bolstering the sense of optimism throughout. The party anthems, the beach hang melodies, and the boisterous rhythms are all there, each song carefully crafted to best express these sunny moments by the ocean.
“This album is basically 12 snapshots of where we are,” vocalist/bassist Bret Bollinger says. “There are songs that will remind you of your favorite Pepper songs, but by the end you’ll hear some unexpected things. You’ll realize that the songwriting is so much more refined. And there’s laughter in the background of the songs. That’s how good the vibe is on the record.”
Pepper has toured extensively with groups like 311, Slightly Stoopid, Flogging Molly and Sublime With Rome, and spent several summers on Warped Tour – and this live sensibility shows. You can almost feel the sand in your toes and the sun on your back as the album progresses, the musician’s amiable personalities palpable beneath the island rhythms and mellow tones. The band’s music – both live and on their releases – is really about enjoying life and being grateful for each experience, a sensibility that’s very familiar to the three musicians currently in their career. From their 1999 debut Give’n It to their 2006 standout album No Shame, which was recorded with 311’s Nick Hexum, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal and Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary, Pepper has embodied not only a style of music but a lifestyle, one that’s most easily found on beaches across the world, but also one that’s relatable to anyone anywhere.
Released via their own label LAW Records, their universal appeal has led their music being placed in various movies and TV shows, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Good Luck Chuck, as well as several video game soundtracks. The band’s story to date has been a prolific one. But as Pepper turns the page into a fresh chapter with this new album, it’s clear that the band’s passion for music and life will continue on for years to come.
“We’re so blessed to be in this position,” Kaleo says. “We want to do the best we can with it. We had humble beginnings in our small town in Hawaii and we’re still that same humble band. We don’t take any of this lightly. Every day I wake up and think about how I have the best job in the world. The level of gratitude and happiness I have that we’re able to do this is incredible and I hope people can hear that when they listen to our new songs.”
Are You Down
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You seem to follow me down,
Girl you got a fuse at the end of your heart,
So once I light it up, I don't think it will stop,
You got a reputation for what you're not,
And I don't really mind that, mind that.
I ain't your boyfriend; I ain't your caddy.
You got to keep it real if you want to put it on me, on me.
Are you down, want to mess around?
We'll do it underground, won't let you down,
Are you down, can we mess around, yeah,
Are you down? Don't let me down,
So, are you down, are you down, are you?
It's getting real dark on the edge of your mind,
I've never seen a smile so hard to find;
Letting all the alligators waste your time,
But, I really don't mind that, mind that.
I want to walk you home at the end of the night,
And throw you in the pool â??cause you're so uptight.
I want to fool around â??till your clothes are dry,
And I don't think you'll mind that, mind that.
So let's break out and fold up the sun,
To late to stop it now, here I come.
Are you down, want to mess around?
We'll do it underground, won't let you down,
Are you down, can we mess around, yeah,
Are you down? Don't let me down,
So, are you down, are you down, are you?
So don't cry if you're lonely, baby girl, come and show me,
I don't mind if you tease me, having fun is so easy.
Please don't lie when you kiss me,
Don't pretend when you're with me,
I know girls can be trixy when they're down.
Are you down, want to mess around?
We'll do it underground, won't let you down,
Are you down, can we mess around,
Are you down? Don't let me down,
So, are you down, are you down, are you?
The lyrics of Pepper's song "Are You Down" are about a guy's budding interest in a girl who has a reputation of being someone she's not. He's drawn to her and wants to get to know her more intimately. He knows that she's complicated like a fuse at the end of her heart, but he's still willing to light the fuse and see where it takes him. In the chorus, he asks if she wants to mess around, and if they can do it underground. He doesn't want any labels or commitments, just simple fun, and if she's "down" for it, then he won't let her down. He offers to walk her home and, in contrast to her uptightness, throw her into the pool. Despite the complications, he knows it will be easy to have fun with her.
The verse about the alligators wasting her time could refer to the girl being caught up in drama or bad influences, but the guy isn't bothered by that. He wants to walk her home and do some fooling around until her clothes are dry, implying that they would have a good time together. He knows that girls can be tricky when they're down, but he's still willing to take a chance on her. In the bridge, he encourages her to come to him and not be lonely, to have fun and not pretend or play games.
Line by Line Meaning
You seem to follow me down,
I feel like you're always around me and watching me.
Girl you got a fuse at the end of your heart,
You have a short temper and can get angry quickly.
So once I light it up, I don't think it will stop,
When you get mad, it's hard to calm you down.
You got a reputation for what you're not,
People think certain things about you that aren't true.
Don't want to be your man, don't want to be your daddy
I don't want to be in charge of your life.
I ain't your boyfriend; I ain't your caddy.
I'm not your romantic partner or your servant.
You got to keep it real if you want to put it on me, on me.
You need to be honest if you want to pursue a relationship with me.
It's getting real dark on the edge of your mind,
You seem to be struggling with negative thoughts or emotions.
I've never seen a smile so hard to find;
You don't seem happy or upbeat.
Letting all the alligators waste your time,
You're wasting your time on things that aren't worth it.
I want to walk you home at the end of the night,
I want to spend time with you, even if it's just walking you home.
And throw you in the pool â??cause you're so uptight.
I want to help you loosen up and have fun.
I want to fool around â??till your clothes are dry,
I want to have fun with you until we're exhausted.
So let's break out and fold up the sun,
Let's do something crazy and have a memorable time together.
To late to stop it now, here I come.
It's too late to back out now, I'm ready to start this adventure.
So don't cry if you're lonely, baby girl, come and show me,
If you're feeling lonely, don't cry alone - come to me and I'll be there for you.
I don't mind if you tease me, having fun is so easy.
I'm okay with you being playful, it makes having fun easy for us.
Please don't lie when you kiss me,
I want you to be genuine with me, especially when it comes to physical interactions.
Don't pretend when you're with me,
I don't want you to act like someone you're not around me.
I know girls can be trixy when they're down.
I know that when you're upset or struggling, you might not act like yourself.
Are you down, want to mess around?
Are you interested in spending time with me and having fun together?
We'll do it underground, won't let you down,
We'll do something unconventional and memorable, and I won't disappoint you.
Are you down, can we mess around, yeah,
Are you on board with hanging out and having a good time?
Are you down? Don't let me down,
Are you sure you want to do this with me? I don't want to be let down.
So, are you down, are you down, are you?
Are you really interested in doing this with me? Let's make sure we're on the same page.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUCINDA WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind