New self-titled Pepper album drops Fall 2013!!

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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.”

Push
Pepper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah it feels real good with a ticket in your hand
And the trip of a life in the wake somewhere
Never know what you find
Never see where you are
Till you open up your options just by losin' that map
I got to feel like I got to do something
Just can't wait around stuck in the nothing
Take us away, give us a chance

So let go of the rope
put the future in your hands

Got to find a place to blow it all
Take a trip beyond your corner store
Jump a train In the middle of the night
All aboard, now you really alive
Throw way when all your faith is gone
Step away from what you think you know
You never know what you're gonna find
You never see it if you're eyes are closed

Yeah, really saw some things
That opened up my mind
Lost myself when I left it all behind
I don't feel any different, but I know I'm not the same
She showed me something deeper, but I never got her name
I got to know were free to roam
I got to taste the air tonight
So what we'll do is set more sails
Roll more dice, as we blaze more trails

Got to find a place to blow it all
Take a trip beyond your corner store
Jump a train In the middle of the night
All aboard, now you really alive
Throw way when all your faith is gone
Step away from what you think you know
You never know what you're gonna find
You buy the ticket and you take the ride

Time to push a little further
Every step will make you stronger
Don't ever be afraid to fly
What have we got to lose
Life is just what we choose
Time for us to give it a try
So buy the ticket and take the ride

Got to find a place to blow it all
Take a trip beyond your corner store
Jump a train In the middle of the night
All aboard, now you really alive
Throw way when all your faith is gone
Step away from what you think you know
You never know what you're gonna find
You buy the ticket and you take the ride

Buy the ticket
Take the ride
Never know
What you're gonna find
Buy the ticket
Take the ride

Never know
What you're gonna find

Overall Meaning

The song "Push" by Pepper is about the idea of taking leaps of faith and going on adventures in order to discover new things about yourself and the world around you. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is tired of feeling stuck and wants to break free from their routine, so they buy a ticket and embark on a new journey. The song talks about the excitement and wonder of not knowing what you'll find and how that uncertainty can lead to personal growth and transformation.

The lines "Never know what you find, Never see where you are, Till you open up your options just by losin' that map" suggest that by letting go of preconceived notions and expectations, one can discover new opportunities and possibilities. The song also touches on the idea of being open to new experiences and embracing the unknown, as seen in the lyrics "Step away from what you think you know, You never know what you're gonna find".

The song encourages listeners to take risks and not be afraid to take a leap into the unknown. It asserts that even when you don't know what the outcome may be, it's worth it to try something new and see where it takes you. The message is empowering and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on the value of exploring new things and breaking free from limiting beliefs.

Overall, "Push" is a song about taking chances, embracing the unknown, and pushing yourself to new heights. It's a call to live life to its fullest and not hold back in the pursuit of adventure and self-discovery.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah it feels real good with a ticket in your hand
The excitement of having a ticket for a journey provides a good feeling.

And the trip of a life in the wake somewhere
The journey could be a life-changing experience towards the unknown destination.

Never know what you find
The unknown destination could offer unexpected and unheard experiences.

Never see where you are
If one sticks to their comfort zone, they can't recognize the beauty beyond it.

Till you open up your options just by losin' that map
One can have a broader perspective by detaching from the fixed path they thought was right.

I got to feel like I got to do something
The urge to explore something new or unknown arises within, it is human nature.

Just can't wait around stuck in the nothing
Life is short, and there is no point in sitting idle and regretting not taking action.

Take us away, give us a chance
Travel offers a chance to go beyond the everyday mundane routine.

So let go of the rope
One has to let go of their fears and insecurities to embark upon a new journey.

put the future in your hands
Once in a while, one must take control of their future and not let it be dictated by predefined paths.

Got to find a place to blow it all
Venturing off to a place to let go of everything and start over.

Take a trip beyond your corner store
Exploration beyond what is familiar and comfortable is crucial for growth.

Jump a train In the middle of the night
Seize the opportunity as it appears.

All aboard, now you really alive
Journeying to unknown places awakens one's senses and makes them feel alive.

Throw way when all your faith is gone
If belief in oneself disappears, that is the perfect moment to take a chance on something new.

Step away from what you think you know
Breaking free from the concrete mindsets that hold one back from possibilities.

You never know what you're gonna find
The unknown future offers a plethora of opportunities and possibilities.

Yeah, really saw some things
The journey offers sights and experiences that were never seen before.

That opened up my mind
Exposure to new experiences can alter one's mindset and result in personal growth.

Lost myself when I left it all behind
By leaving behind their old life and discovering new experiences, one might find themselves.

I don't feel any different, but I know I'm not the same
Journeys could not bring an immediate change, but it could lead to subtle transformations.

She showed me something deeper, but I never got her name
The people one meets on their journey could offer valuable insights and wisdom, even if they don't know them well.

I got to know were free to roam
The realization that they can explore the world as they please.

I got to taste the air tonight
Enjoying the moment and taking in new experiences in the present moment.

So what we'll do is set more sails
Mental preparation to embark upon more journeys in the future.

Roll more dice, as we blaze more trails
Experimenting and taking risks to gain amazing experiences.

Time to push a little further
One should keep expanding their horizons to achieve more significant opportunities.

Every step will make you stronger
Journeys can be physically or mentally exhausting, but persevering through them can strengthen individuals.

Don't ever be afraid to fly
To achieve greater heights, one needs to overcome their fears and take chances.

What have we got to lose
Taking a chance is worthwhile if nothing else is lost in return.

Life is just what we choose
Life is the outcome of one's choices rather than fate.

Time for us to give it a try
Life is short, and one must take chances to create amazing experiences.

So buy the ticket and take the ride
Purchasing a ticket could bring enjoyment, new experiences and personal growth.

You buy the ticket and you take the ride
Taking a chance on a new experience is about exploring the future with possibilities.