Facebook www.faceboo… Read Full Bio ↴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.”
Unsafe Bridge
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well its just that im misunderstood
Don't know what I want but I know how to get it
Lost my mind got no time but please give me credit for...
Well I do so much for me
That's what you wanna see
So what the hell is wrong with me
What the hell is wrong with me?
Where is my oh
Got some money, buy a drink run from problems
I don't think of things I should do
Well I'm wasted and confused
Maybe I was just born to lose
And I know I'm your favorite tragedy
What the hell is wrong with me?
Where is my everclear?
Where is my oh
Love you, leave you
What the hell am I supposed to do?
It's everything dear to me
My escape from reality
Hold it close its my best friend
Stayin' with me till the end
Wake up in the mornin' find myself
Reachin' for the next bottle on the shelf
Now I know what I want, now I know how to get
Now I know where I'm goin' (no I don't!)
Well I do so much for me
Now I know where I'm goin' (no I don't!)
Now I know where I'm goin' (no I don't!)
Man I do whats best for me
The lyrics to Pepper's song "Unsafe Bridge" describe the internal struggles of an individual who has lost their sense of direction and purpose. The opening lines, "So you're sayin' I'm no good, well it's just that I'm misunderstood," suggest that the person is aware of how others perceive them but is also aware that this perception is inaccurate. The following lines, "Don't know what I want but I know how to get it, lost my mind got no time but please give me credit for..." suggest that the individual is in a state of confusion and may be engaging in self-destructive behavior.
The chorus, with the repeated lines "What the hell is wrong with me? Where is my everclear? Where is my oh?" further emphasizes the person's sense of disorientation and the need for a substance to escape reality. The line "Love you, leave you, what the hell am I supposed to do?" suggests that the person may also be grappling with relationship issues.
As the song progresses, the individual gains a moment of clarity and realizes that they have been seeking escape rather than direction. The lines "It's everything dear to me, my escape from reality, hold it close it's my best friend, stayin' with me till the end" suggest that the person has been relying on a substance, likely alcohol, as a coping mechanism.
The final lines, "Wake up in the mornin' find myself, reachin' for the next bottle on the shelf, now I know what I want, now I know how to get, now I know where I'm goin' (no I don't!)" suggest that while the person has gained insight into their situation, they are still struggling to find a sense of direction and purpose.
Overall, the lyrics to "Unsafe Bridge" paint a portrait of a person who is lost, confused, and seeking escape through substance abuse. The song highlights the importance of self-awareness and the need to confront and address one's internal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
So you're sayin' I'm no good (that's right!)
Acknowledgement of criticism that may be viewed as valid
Well its just that im misunderstood
Defense that the singer's behavior or motives are not as bad as they may appear
Don't know what I want but I know how to get it
Confession that the singer lacks direction and purpose, but is skilled at satisfying short-term impulses
Lost my mind got no time but please give me credit for...
A plea for recognition of the artist's effort and contributions despite limitations
Well I do so much for me
Self-praise for personal accomplishments
That's what you wanna see
Sarcastic acknowledgement that others may only value the singer's achievements and not their well-being
So what the hell is wrong with me
Wondering about the singer's flaws or personal struggles
Where is my everclear?
Request or desire for alcohol as a coping mechanism
What the hell is wrong with me?
Repetition of earlier questioning about the artist's personal problems
Where is my oh
Unclear reference to something that may bring comfort or relief
Got some money, buy a drink run from problems
Admitting to using alcohol as a way to escape or avoid difficulties
I don't think of things I should do
Acknowledgement of avoiding responsibilities and neglecting priorities
Well I'm wasted and confused
Description of the effects of excessive drinking and a lack of direction
Maybe I was just born to lose
Resignation to a fate of failure or difficulty
And I know I'm your favorite tragedy
Recognition that the singer may be viewed as interesting or entertaining for their struggles
Where is my everclear?
Continued desire for alcohol as a means of coping
Where is my oh
Continued reference to an unknown source of comfort or relief
Love you, leave you
Indifference to emotional attachments or consequences of actions
What the hell am I supposed to do?
Uncertainty or confusion about what actions to take or how to improve
It's everything dear to me
Recognition that the artist values the comfort or escape provided by alcohol
My escape from reality
Description of alcohol as a way to avoid or numb the problems of the real world
Hold it close its my best friend
Viewing alcohol as a reliable source of comfort or support
Stayin' with me till the end
Belief that alcohol will continue to be a constant companion or refuge
Wake up in the mornin' find myself
Description of the daily cycle of drinking and its effects
Reachin' for the next bottle on the shelf
Continued reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism
Now I know what I want, now I know how to get
Contradiction to earlier statements about a lack of direction or purpose
Now I know where I'm goin' (no I don't!)
Acknowledgement that the singer's purpose or goals are still unclear
Well I do so much for me
Repetition of earlier self-praise
Now I know where I'm goin' (no I don't!)
Continued recognition that the artist's goals are undefined or uncertain
Man I do whats best for me
Final self-justification for the singer's actions despite acknowledging their negative effects
Lyrics © ANGRY MOB MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marco
This album is special!
Guys should come more to Brazil!
fewconscioushours
This bassline is beyond amazing
kato695
what a wicked album, one of there best, if not there best! thanks for the upload brah, :)
jewed laws
Pepper slowly became a full blown addiction from my looove makin' to kona to waking up to no shame everyday. Ty pepper
CRE8T0R
sublime, pepper, slightly stooped, the expendables, make the best music!
Tim Got
badass album thanx for postin it up, gotta zamzar it now, lost this album to a dog at a big pot party
Brandon Hazelton
still so good
William Kelly
The bass is fucking awesome in this song!
Liz G
Still AMAZING in 2022
Wyatt Dodier
hey man, thanks for uploading these! much appreciated