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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.”
Punk Rock Cowboy
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But, he liked them all the same.
He bought his records from a magazine
Called "Metal, Death, & Pain",
He grew up strong and he grew up right,
Except in his daddy's eyes,
Who said, "Now, son don't you waste your time
With all of them evil lies."
So there he was, the first punk rock cowboy,
Always wondering how it would be
To grow up in the punk rock scene, yeah,
But, he never, ever gave up on his punk rock dreams.
So he headed off in a whiskey haze,
Going to a "Pistol Show", and all of the sudden,
There she was just standing on the edge of the road.
Sweetest girl he'd ever seen, she calls herself Irene,
Later on that little cowboy found out,
She had herself three clit rings!
So there he was, the first punk rock cowboy,
Always wondering how it would be
To grow up in the punk rock scene, yeah,
But, he never, ever gave up on his punk rock dreams.
And if you see him standing in the crowd,
Be sure to say hello,
You'll never miss him in his cowboy hat,
Maybe moshing just a little too slow.
And if you're wondering what he's about,
Ask him, it's plain to see, he'll say,
"I'd like to stay and rock 'wit y'all,
I love this here punk rock scene!"
So there he was, the first punk rock cowboy,
Always wondering how it would be
To grow up in the punk rock scene, yeah,
But, he never, ever gave up on his punk rock,
No, he never, gave up on his punk rock,
No, he never, gave up on his punk rock dreams.
In the song "Punk Rock Cowboy," Pepper tells the story of a young man who defies the expectations of his conservative upbringing to pursue his love of punk rock music. The singer of the song grows up listening to heavy metal music, which he purchases from a magazine named "Metal, Death, & Pain." Despite his father's disapproval, he continues to explore the genre and develops a passion for punk rock.
The first verse highlights the inner conflict experienced by the singer. He doesn't fit the traditional image of a punk with his lack of interest in leather and studs, but he is drawn to the music all the same. The second verse introduces Irene, a woman who captures his attention and heart. Her appearance is seemingly at odds with the singer's cowboy hat and boots, but they share a love of the punk rock scene.
Throughout the song, the singer maintains his identity as the "first punk rock cowboy," proving that he can balance and embrace both worlds. Despite the clash between the traditional cowboy image and punk rock culture, the singer refuses to abandon his dreams of being part of the punk rock scene.
In summary, "Punk Rock Cowboy" is a tale of defiance, acceptance, and staying true to oneself despite the expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
He was never into leather and studs,
Despite not being interested in the stereotypical elements of punk rock fashion, the singer still enjoyed punk rock music.
But, he liked them all the same.
Even though he didn't fit the punk rock stereotype, he still embraced it and liked it for what it was.
He bought his records from a magazine
Called "Metal, Death, & Pain",
The singer found punk rock music through an unconventional source, and was drawn to its loud and rebellious nature.
He grew up strong and he grew up right,
Despite not conforming to his father's expectations of what a proper son should like and do, the artist developed into a strong and healthy individual.
Except in his daddy's eyes,
Who said, "Now, son don't you waste your time
With all of them evil lies."
The artist's father disapproved of punk rock music and thought that it was a negative influence on his son's life.
So there he was, the first punk rock cowboy,
Always wondering how it would be
To grow up in the punk rock scene, yeah,
But, he never, ever gave up on his punk rock dreams.
The singer was unique in being a punk rock fan who also embraced elements of cowboy culture, and though he often felt like an outsider, he never lost his passion for punk rock music.
So he headed off in a whiskey haze,
Going to a "Pistol Show", and all of the sudden,
There she was just standing on the edge of the road.
The singer, in a somewhat intoxicated state, stumbled upon a new experience that would change his life forever.
Sweetest girl he'd ever seen, she calls herself Irene,
Later on that little cowboy found out,
She had herself three clit rings!
The artist fell head over heels for a woman who broke punk rock stereotypes just as much as he did, and he was fascinated by her unique sense of self-expression.
And if you see him standing in the crowd,
Be sure to say hello,
You'll never miss him in his cowboy hat,
Maybe moshing just a little too slow.
The artist is still a devoted fan of punk rock music and enjoys attending shows, though he adds his own unique flavor to his attire and behavior.
And if you're wondering what he's about,
Ask him, it's plain to see, he'll say,
"I'd like to stay and rock 'wit y'all,
I love this here punk rock scene!"
If anyone ever questions the artist's love for punk rock, he will affirm it with the utmost enthusiasm and pride.
No, he never, gave up on his punk rock dreams.
Throughout his life, the singer has held onto his love for punk rock and refused to let societal norms dictate his interests and passions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind