Facebook www.faceboo… Read Full Bio ↴New self-titled Pepper album drops Fall 2013!!
Facebook www.facebook.com/pepperlive; Twitter www.twitter.com/pepperlive; Instagram www.instagram.com/pepperlive
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.”
Musical 69
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like to know you well.
I hear a rhythm knocking,
And then push the doorbell.
Cause its always in her head.
Well baby we can take our time.
Now gets your legs above me,
I see you there just standing,
Wondering if you know.
Later on this evening,
We'll be head to toe.
But I ain't got time to worry,
And later baby you'll recline.
Now get yourself around me,
In the musical 69.
Now I am going to put it on,
And you want to, now baby I can tell.
Cause you got to be, just got to be my baby.
So why don't you lie on me, come lie on me.
Get you all excited,
Time to hit the spot.
Drop the tempo for you,
On your music box.
Cause our love had this going.
Now let me put this down in rhyme.
And get yourself positioned,
In the musical 69.
Now I am going to put it on,
And you want to, now baby I can tell.
Cause you got to be, just got to be my baby.
So why don't you lie on me, and don?t lie to me, and lie on me.
On me.
Got to be, got to be my baby.
Hit the lens and focus,
Let me see your detail.
Are you a perfect situation,
Or fairy tell?
Cause I love to hear the story,
How you flipped it once upon a time
And got yourself inverted
In a musical 69.
A musical 69 [Repeat: x7]
In "Musical 69," the singer expresses a desire to know someone intimately and enjoy musical intimacy with them. The lyrics suggest that the singer and their partner will engage in a sexual act known as a "69," which is when two partners engage in oral sex on each other simultaneously. The singer encourages the partner to take their time, enjoy the rhythm, and position themselves above and around each other for maximum pleasure. The song's final lyrics suggest that the singer finds their partner's physical details appealing and may be interested in more than just a sexual relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Think I'd like to know you,
I am interested in getting to know you better.
Like to know you well.
I want to know the real you and not just the surface level details.
I hear a rhythm knocking,
I sense a connection between us that is growing stronger.
And then push the doorbell.
I am taking the first step towards building a deeper relationship with you.
Cause its always in her head.
The possibility of being with you is always on my mind.
Well baby we can take our time.
We do not need to rush into anything – we can let things develop naturally.
Now gets your legs above me,
Let's get intimate and explore each other sexually.
In the musical 69.
We will engage in oral sex – an activity often associated with the number 69.
I see you there just standing,
I notice you and I am attracted to you.
Wondering if you know.
I am curious if you feel the same way about me.
Later on this evening,
In the near future, we will have the opportunity to spend more time together.
We'll be head to toe.
We will engage in full body sexual exploration.
But I ain't got time to worry,
I am not concerned about potential issues or challenges that may arise – I am focused on the present moment.
And later baby you'll recline.
I will take care of you and make sure you are comfortable and relaxed.
Now get yourself around me,
Let's get physical and explore each other's bodies.
In the musical 69.
We will engage in oral sex – an activity often associated with the number 69.
Now I am going to put it on,
I am ready to initiate sexual activity.
And you want to, now baby I can tell.
I can sense that you are also ready and willing to engage in sexual activity with me.
Cause you got to be, just got to be my baby.
I feel a strong connection to you and want to deepen our relationship.
So why don't you lie on me, come lie on me.
Let's get close and explore each other's bodies as we engage in sexual activity.
Get you all excited,
My goal is to arouse you and make you feel pleasure.
Time to hit the spot.
I am focused on providing stimulation to the areas of your body that feel the most pleasurable.
Drop the tempo for you,
I am willing to take things slow and be gentle if that is what you need.
On your music box.
Your body is the instrument that I will play as we engage in sexual activity.
Cause our love had this going.
Our strong connection and chemistry is driving this sexual encounter forward.
Now let me put this down in rhyme.
I want to express my feelings and thoughts musically because it is a powerful way to convey emotion.
And get yourself positioned,
Let's get ready to engage in sexual activity by positioning our bodies in a way that feels comfortable and pleasurable.
In the musical 69.
We will engage in oral sex – an activity often associated with the number 69.
Hit the lens and focus,
Let's get closer and pay attention to the details of each other's bodies as we engage in sexual activity.
Let me see your detail.
I want to explore every inch of your body and fully understand what feels good to you.
Are you a perfect situation,
I see you as an ideal partner and want to engage in a sexual relationship with you.
Or fairy tell?
I am questioning whether this moment is too good to be true.
Cause I love to hear the story,
I want to know more about you and what led us to this moment.
How you flipped it once upon a time
I am curious about your past experiences and the journey that brought you to this point.
And got yourself inverted
I am intrigued by your willingness to engage in unconventional sexual activities like oral sex.
In a musical 69.
We will engage in oral sex – an activity often associated with the number 69.
A musical 69 [Repeat: x7]
This encounter is all about engaging in oral sex, an activity often associated with the number 69.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind