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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.”
Dry Spell
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what's given, man I don't get for free
Couldn't find a reason so put the blame on me
Taking water while the well is dry
And the devils always smiling when you pass by
Drifting on my piece of sorry, shattered stubbornness
One more mistake but I really need this risk
And it's never like you seem
And now the stories lost its theme
;chorus;
Right back where I first started from
Them all listen when I play this riddim
Break it off when its given to me
Don't worry if its over I'll just wait pateintly
Big up the lovin that hold me down
Them no try and come after me in this underground
Whom god bless let no man curse
The first will be the last and the last will be the first
So I sloped into the room
Playing my guitar in my worn out shoes
I want o hear the sound just like a stage show
Where they all lose control
And it never lets you go
:chorus:
The lyrics of Pepper's song "Dry Spell" convey a sense of struggle and resilience, with a focus on overcoming challenges in life. The opening lines, "Stealing what's been stolin' / And what's given, man I don't get for free" suggest a sense of desperation and doing what needs to be done to survive. The line "Couldn't find a reason so put the blame on me" implies a sense of guilt or responsibility for one's situation.
The second verse includes the lines, "Drifting on my piece of sorry, shattered stubbornness / One more mistake but I really need this risk." These lyrics convey a sense of determination and willingness to take risks, even if it means making mistakes along the way. The line "And now the stories lost its theme" suggests a sense of confusion or searching for purpose.
The chorus includes the lyrics "Right back where I first started from / Them all listen when I play this riddim / Don't worry if its over I'll just wait pateintly" which suggest a sense of hope and persistence in the face of adversity. The line "Whom god bless let no man curse / The first will be the last and the last will be the first" conveys a sense of faith and belief that things will eventually work out in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Stealing what's been stolin'
Taking what's already been taken from someone else
And what's given, man I don't get for free
I don't receive anything freely, even what I'm given
Couldn't find a reason so put the blame on me
There's no obvious reason, so I'll take the blame
Taking water while the well is dry
Taking what little is available, even when resources are scarce
And the devils always smiling when you pass by
It seems like the devil is waiting to take advantage at every opportunity
Drifting on my piece of sorry, shattered stubbornness
I'm stubborn and reckless, but trying to navigate my difficult situation
One more mistake but I really need this risk
I know I'm making mistakes, but I feel like I need to take a chance
I notice the roots and the rythym remain
Even though everything around me is changing, I can still feel the deep roots and rhythms
And it's never like you seem
Things are never as straightforward as they appear
And now the stories lost its theme
I've lost track of what I was trying to do or say
Right back where I first started from
I'm back to square one, starting over again
Them all listen when I play this riddim
Everyone pays attention when I play this rhythm
Break it off when its given to me
I tend to ruin good opportunities or relationships when they're given to me
Don't worry if its over I'll just wait patiently
I'll wait patiently for things to improve, even if they seem hopeless
Big up the lovin that hold me down
I'm grateful for the love and support that keeps me grounded
Them no try and come after me in this underground
People aren't trying to compete with me in this situation
Whom god bless let no man curse
What God has blessed, no one can take away
The first will be the last and the last will be the first
Sometimes unexpected people or outcomes can be the most successful
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARTHUR LANON NEVILLE, GEORGE JOSEPH JR PORTER, JOSEPH JR MODELISTE, LEO NOCENTELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind