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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.”
Stormtrooper
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So now you pass me the laser beam and you want me to join the team. Well I'm not used to these kinds of things, but this is what the evil brings. Let me tell you bout the fire. You could bring the waters up above. I'll bring my favorite people and I'm bringing all my love. You want a battle well don't look very far, you want to fight somebody come fight the superstar. I knew you wouldn't stand a chance you left without a passing glance, there's nothing you could ever do to keep me from stopping you
It's so dark and lonely out here in outer space, but at least I got my keyboard and my low bot has his bass.Playing street sweeper tunes and watching tye fighters fly by. Things would be better if I was back at home with pepper burning pakalolo not even noticing the weather so far and so alone a million light years away. Storm trooper storm trooper back up from my door I got my blaster set I'm ready to start a minor war. This won't be the day you were hoping for so just walk away walk away. Better run now cause your done now cause your standing in a bad mans town, boy. Time to get back to my daily routine have a beer at a bar on tattooine.
You take away everything , make my people scream out loud. Just bring it back Lord just bring it back. You mess it up and you rearrange open your eyes and turn the page. Just bring it back.
The song "Stormtrooper" by Pepper addresses the issue of oppression and the abuse of power. The lyrics describe a world where stormtroopers, representatives of a tyrannical regime, terrorize the population and instill fear. The singer expresses the sentiment that the people want to be free of the stormtroopers' presence and that they see through their facade of anonymity. The chorus repeatedly calls out to the stormtrooper, questioning their intentions and warning them to back away.
The second verse starts off with the stormtrooper offering the singer a place on their team, perhaps an offer to collaborate or join forces. However, the singer refuses, commenting on the destructive nature of the stormtroopers' objective. The singer then warns the stormtrooper that their efforts are futile and that they cannot stop the singer's pursuit of justice.
The final verse provides a glimpse into the singer's life on an intergalactic planet accompanied by their keyboard and low bot. The singer reflects on the state of their world and longs for the comforts of home. The singer then delivers a final warning to the stormtrooper, telling them to back away or face the consequences.
Overall, "Stormtrooper" uses science-fiction imagery to underscore themes of oppression and resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
You think that we can't see your face.
You cannot hide from us, we know who you are.
I think you need to give us our space.
We need our distance from you.
You know that we can raze this place
We can destroy this place completely,
And leave you without a trace.
And you will disappear without a trace.
Storm trooper storm trooper why are you here?
Why are you here to bother us, stormtrooper?
The youth them getting restless and they don't want you near.
The younger generation is restless and do not want you around.
Your watching us your watching us it so improper we've seen your kind before we call it informer.
You are constantly observing us in an inappropriate manner, and we have seen many people like you, who we call informers.
Storm trooper storm trooper where will you go?
Where will you go, stormtrooper? You are not wanted here.
This world she no like you so you better stay low.
This world doesn't like you, so you better keep a low profile.
And up from the mountains and out from the trees, that is where you come from you crawl like the one disease.
You come from hiding in the mountains and trees, sneaky like a disease.
So now you pass me the laser beam and you want me to join the team.
You want me to be a part of your group, and gave me a laser beam to join.
Well I'm not used to these kinds of things, but this is what the evil brings.
I am not accustomed to these things, but evil has brought me here.
Let me tell you bout the fire.
Let me tell you about the passion I have.
You could bring the waters up above.
You have great power.
I'll bring my favorite people and I'm bringing all my love.
I'll bring the people I love and all of my passion.
You want a battle well don't look very far, you want to fight somebody come fight the superstar.
If you want to fight, I'm right here. I'm the superstar.
I knew you wouldn't stand a chance you left without a passing glance, there's nothing you could ever do to keep me from stopping you.
I knew you wouldn't be able to stop me, you left without even looking back. There is nothing you can do to stop me.
It's so dark and lonely out here in outer space, but at least I got my keyboard and my low bot has his bass.
Being in outer space is lonely and dark, but I have my musical instruments with me.
Playing street sweeper tunes and watching tie fighters fly by.
I'm playing music and watching Tie Fighters fly past me.
Things would be better if I was back at home with pepper burning pakalolo not even noticing the weather so far and so alone a million light years away.
Things would be better if I was back home with my friend Pepper, smoking pakalolo and not caring about the weather, even though I'm a million light years away.
Storm trooper storm trooper back up from my door I got my blaster set I'm ready to start a minor war.
Stay away from my door, stormtrooper. I have my weapon and I'm ready to fight a small battle.
This won't be the day you were hoping for so just walk away walk away. Better run now cause your done now cause your standing in a bad mans town, boy.
Today won't end as you hoped, so leave now. You are in a dangerous place and you should run away.
Time to get back to my daily routine have a beer at a bar on tattooine.
It's time for me to return to my daily routine, drinking beer at a bar on Tatooine.
You take away everything, make my people scream out loud.
You take everything from us, causing our people to scream in agony.
Just bring it back Lord just bring it back. You mess it up and you rearrange open your eyes and turn the page. Just bring it back.
We want everything back to how it was. We are asking for a fresh start to correct things.
I believe I'll interject to talk about the word respect.
I will interrupt to speak about the topic of respect.
It's not a word that's in your hands.
Respect is not something that you can control.
Its more about the common man.
Respect is about everyone, not just a select few.
You took your time and paved the way, making room for other man to play.
You took your time and created opportunities for others to succeed.
A grip of bodies, a mess of minds, endless conversations to rock. na na na na
There are many people and discussions, and music to enjoy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RUIZ, Jim Ruiz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind