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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.”
Drunk Girl
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since i've seen you around
You've made a few mistakes
But you've reached a higher ground
How long will you stay
And will we watch the sun rise
Oh i see your seas
And i don't believe those screaming words you say
And i don't believe that you go both ways
And oh, the only reason you're here with me
Is cuz i love a drunk girl
[chorus:]
Oh oh oh oh oh yea
And you're just a drunk girl
Oh oh oh oh oh yea
And i love a drunk girl
Am i the one to save you love?
Cuz you're just that drunk girl
Oh oh oh oh yea, uh
Now don't i make you feel nice
How i remembered your name
Remember back in school
When you pushed me thru the rain
Well now i want you to feel
That there's no safer place
I'll hold your hair for you
And pull the toilet from your face
And my friends don't believe that that's all it takes
And your girls can't believe that i could be that mistake
But oh! the only reason you're here with me
Is cuz i love a drunk girl
[chorus]
You try to kiss me baby
You're screaming let me lady
You're running hot and heavy
Most people think you're crazy
I'm trying to keep it steady
You're wet and wreckless honey
Don't spit out on me lady
Because i need you ready
And i always knew it would come ot this
And in the morning i've got you off my list
But oh, the only reason you were with me
Is you're just a drunk girl
[chorus]
The song "Drunk Girl" by Pepper is about a man who is in love with a girl who is constantly drunk. The man acknowledges that she has made mistakes in the past but feels that she has reached a higher ground. He questions how long she will stay with him and if they will watch the sunrise together. He sees that she is currently in a difficult situation represented by the rising tide. The man does not believe the girl's accusations and rumors, but he loves her despite her drunkenness.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that the girl is just a drunk girl, and the man loves her for who she is, and he wonders if he is the one who can save her from this life. The lyrics also talk about how the girl tries to kiss him and screams for attention, and he tries to keep the situation steady while she is wet, reckless, and crazily drunk. He acknowledges that most people think she is crazy and hopes that she does not throw up on him.
"Drunk Girl" is a beautiful and insightful song, reminding us to see people beyond their flaws and love them anyway, even if their lives are complicated. The song sheds light on the subject of addiction and the fact that sometimes people require a saving grace. In this case, the saving grace is the man who loves the girl despite her drunkenness and tries to comfort and take care of her.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, it's been a long time love
It's been a while since we last saw each other
Since i've seen you around
I haven't seen you in a while
You've made a few mistakes
You've done some things you regret
But you've reached a higher ground
But you've learned from your mistakes and become a better person
How long will you stay
How long will you be around for
And will we watch the sun rise
Will we stay up all night together
Oh i see your seas
Oh I understand your emotions
And the tide is getting high
And your emotions are becoming stronger
And i don't believe those screaming words you say
I don't believe the things you're yelling out
And i don't believe that you go both ways
I don't believe that you're bisexual
And oh, the only reason you're here with me
And the only reason you're here with me tonight is because I love a drunk girl
Is cuz i love a drunk girl
I'm only interested in you because you're drunk
Oh oh oh oh oh yea
A sound element to the song
And you're just a drunk girl
You're just drunk right now
Am i the one to save you love?
Am I the one who can help you?
Cuz you're just that drunk girl
Because you're just drunk
Now don't i make you feel nice
Don't I make you feel good?
How i remembered your name
I remembered your name from a long time ago
Remember back in school
Remember when we were in school together
When you pushed me thru the rain
When you helped me through a rainy day
Well now i want you to feel
Now I want to take care of you
That there's no safer place
That there's no safer place than with me
I'll hold your hair for you
I'll hold your hair back while you throw up
And pull the toilet from your face
I'll try to help you get rid of the alcohol in your system
And my friends don't believe that that's all it takes
My friends don't think that just taking care of you is enough
And your girls can't believe that i could be that mistake
Your friends don't think I'm a good match for you
But oh! the only reason you're here with me
But the only reason you're with me is because I love a drunk girl
You try to kiss me baby
You're trying to kiss me
You're screaming let me lady
You're yelling at me to let you go
You're running hot and heavy
You're moving fast and with passion
Most people think you're crazy
Most people think you're acting irrational
I'm trying to keep it steady
I'm trying to keep things under control
You're wet and wreckless honey
You're wet from the rain and acting carelessly
Don't spit out on me lady
Don't throw up on me
Because i need you ready
Because I still want you to be there for me
And i always knew it would come ot this
I always knew things would end up like this
And in the morning i've got you off my list
In the morning you won't be on my mind anymore
But oh, the only reason you were with me
But the only reason you were with me is because you were drunk
Is you're just a drunk girl
It's because you were drunk
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
PickleKunAMV
one of the few bands that their new music is actually as good as it always has been :)
dienefordelta
this song has been stuck on replay for a long time now. never getting sick of it (:
hooliganismilldoers
saw them live two nights ago, and they definitely don't sound as good as they do on the albums, but their performance is full of energy and it's a great experience. even after their set is over, they'll stick around on stage and sing and dance to ACDC and the YMCA, which is what happened two nights ago. even though the dirty heads were the headliners, it was definitely pepper's show.
gsboss
i like peppers reggae style, but the more ska/punk/rock songs like this and give it up seem so good. i think they should come out with an album with all the songs similar to this
Christine
I love Pepper! They sing the truth about drunk girls! =D
Joel Toth
Can't wait to see these guys at Sublime Summer in Toronto, gonna be a sick show!
Bobby
this is such a great song i love drumming to it
hxllbunny
The first time I heard this song was last night, when they played at Aloha Tower. They were fucking amazing. I love Pepper!
Jerkwadd562
I was @ the concert where they filmed the video for this song.... SOOOO much fun...Pepper Rocks!!!!
sonia56
Hahaha too good.... I heard this song and was like "STORY OF MY LIFE" too good...