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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.”
Undone
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're asking
If things have changed
You're sinking
And wishful thinking
So you unforget my name
Given all you've asked me to
But the time apart has made me who I now am, I'm not you
'Cause all that you've done is enough
And now I'm just as sure that you're sleeping
Let go of me, of my friends- everything
'Cause I'll never feel like I used to, like I used to
I'm stating
Not complaining
The love is gone
There's no use
We both lose
And it's time that you moved on
'Cause there's nothing more that you could do
And what stopped me, is what stopped you
And the more you try, the more I'm through who I am, I'm not you
'Cause all that you've done is enough
And now I'm just as sure that you're sleeping
Let go of, of my friends- everything, everything
'Cause I'll never feel like I used to
Here in the now, if you look
Now you won't find me
Time has a way to repair everything, so
'Cause all that you've done is enough
And now I'm just as sure that you're sleeping
Let go of me, of my friends- everything, everything, everything
'Cause I'll never feel like I used to
'Cause all that you've done is enough
And now I'm just as sure that you're sleeping
Let go of me, of my friends- everything, everything, everything
'Cause I'll never feel like I used to
Like I used to
Like I used to
Like I used to
Like I used to
Like I used to
I'll never feel
like I used to
In "Undone," Pepper discusses the aftermath of a failed relationship. The singer's former partner is reaching out to see if they can rekindle their love, but the singer has moved on and come to terms with the fact that the relationship is over. The lyrics reveal that the singer had been bending over backward to please their partner but has ultimately realized that they need to assert their independence and be their own person. The chorus, with its repetition of "all that you've done is enough," is a powerful statement of self-respect and finality. The singer is finished with their partner and wants nothing more to do with them, even going so far as to ask them to let go of their friends and everything associated with their past relationship.
Pepper's "Undone" is a song that wrestles with themes of independence, self-respect, and breakups. The repeated phrase "all that you've done is enough" is a recurring motif that underscores the singer's sense of independence and self-worth as they move on from a relationship that no longer serves them. The song's message is one of empowerment and strength, encouraging listeners to stand up for themselves and assert their boundaries. It's a reminder that relationships are not one-sided and that both parties must be happy and fulfilled to make it work.
Line by Line Meaning
You're calling
You are reaching out to me
You're asking
You want to know if anything has changed
If things have changed
You are unsure if we are still the same
You're sinking
You are struggling to stay afloat
And wishful thinking
You are hoping for things that may not be possible
So you unforget my name
You want to forget about me
'Cause I've been a fool under all your rules and
I have acted foolishly by following your every command
Given all you've asked me to
I have done everything you've asked of me
But the time apart has made me who I now am, I'm not you
Being apart from you has changed me and I am no longer the person you want me to be
'Cause all that you've done is enough
You have done everything you can do
And now I'm just as sure that you're sleeping
I am sure that you have moved on from me
Let go of me, of my friends- everything
You need to let me go and move on from my life
'Cause I'll never feel like I used to, like I used to
My feelings for you have changed and will never be the same again
I'm stating
I am explaining
Not complaining
I am not saying this just to complain
The love is gone
Our love has ended
There's no use
There is no reason or benefit to holding on
We both lose
We both suffer in this situation
And it's time that you moved on
It is time for you to move on
And what stopped me, is what stopped you
We both were stopped from moving forward
And the more you try, the more I'm through who I am, I'm not you
The more you try to hold on, the more I distance myself from who you want me to be
Here in the now, if you look
If you look at the present moment
Now you won't find me
I am no longer there for you to find
Time has a way to repair everything, so
Time has a way of healing all wounds
'Cause all that you've done is enough
You have done everything you can do
And now I'm just as sure that you're sleeping
I am sure that you have moved on from me
Let go of me, of my friends- everything, everything, everything
You need to let go of everything that connects us
'Cause I'll never feel like I used to
I will not feel the same for you again
Like I used to
My feelings for you have changed
Like I used to
I am not the same person I was before
Like I used to
Our relationship will never be the same as it was before
Like I used to
Our connection has been forever altered
Like I used to
We are not meant to be together anymore
I'll never feel
I will never feel the same again
Contributed by Liliana N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DarkPrincessWen
Absolutely love love this song <3
@JunoChaos
You boys really touched my heart with this one. Miss you all. ~Cristal
@daniellecedillo9689
Absolutely love this song!
@LNClubsTheaters
Love the song! Keep rockin'!
@robc.2792
This new Cd is fuckin mellow I hope you guys come through abq this year!
@RustyJit
Great song.. makes me think of my ex. Love you buster
@soundwavesupersucksion344
Haven't found anything I don't like by this amazing band.
@ivan-pm7xc
Don’t understand why the thumbs down if people don’t like the song they don’t like the band can’t just like what songs are catchy Pepper is a hell of a band love all the music thanks for your talent 🤘
@Nick-wr4uq
better then i thought. i heard fuck around by them and i thought they sold out completely. atleast this song shows their old style still even though its more refined.
@e.9212
Nice! But like the dude said... We need more like point & shoot/ ho's/no control/stone love/rent. !!! We need more of that type of Pepper