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.”

Wanted
Pepper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you let me have a taste
I'll probably keep this world from falling down
I'm pulling on my E-brake
And when I turned around you were gone

You made me fall in love again
I know it's no ones fault but my own
I'm blinded by my reasons

Well, I guess that's why I'm all alone

And that's what I wanted
And that's what I found
I could never change your mind
I could never reach you in time
All is lost
And is that all that I want, yeah

Take those glasses off your face
Can't you see your sun is going down
Can't believe you live that way
You're holding all your breathe for someone else

All I made was one mistake
Almost seems like you were counting on more
Do I disappoint you
Or did I do something more?

And that's what I wanted
And that's what I found
I could never change your mind
I could never reach you in time
All is lost
And is that all that I want, yeah

Well I was way too young, and I was way to shy
But I remember you, remember you
I must have asked myself about a million times if

That's what I wanted
And that's what I found
I could never change your mind
I could never reach you in time

And that's what I wanted
And that's what I found
I could never change your mind
I could never reach you in time

All is lost
And is that all that I want, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Wanted" by Pepper seems to be about a person who is hoping to keep the world from falling down, but their efforts may be in vain. The first few lines suggest that this person needs a taste of something in order to prevent the world from collapsing, but they are not given the opportunity to do so. They then lament how they have fallen in love again, even though they know that it was their own fault. This person is blinded by their own reasons and is now alone as a result.

Later in the song, the person addresses someone who is holding their breath for someone else and seems to be disappointed with them. They wonder if they have done something wrong, but are ultimately left feeling lost and wondering if that is all that they wanted after all.

The lyrics of "Wanted" seem to convey feelings of desperation, unrequited love, disappointment, and loneliness. Although the song starts off with a sense of hope that the world can be saved, it ultimately ends in a dark and uncertain place where the singer questions if what they wanted is truly what they found.

Line by Line Meaning

If you let me have a taste
If you give me a chance to prove myself

I'll probably keep this world from falling down
I have the potential to turn things around

I'm pulling on my E-brake
I'm trying to stop myself from making the same mistakes

And when I turned around you were gone
You left me when I needed you the most

You made me fall in love again
You reignited my feelings of love

I know it's no ones fault but my own
I take responsibility for my own mistakes

I'm blinded by my reasons
I'm making excuses for my behavior

Well, I guess that's why I'm all alone
I accept the consequences of my actions

And that's what I wanted
I wanted to feel alive again

And that's what I found
I found excitement and passion

I could never change your mind
I failed to convince you to stay with me

I could never reach you in time
I was too late to save our relationship

All is lost
Everything is gone

And is that all that I want, yeah
I'm questioning my desires and motives

Take those glasses off your face
Stop ignoring the truth

Can't you see your sun is going down
Your life is passing you by

Can't believe you live that way
I'm surprised that you tolerate this situation

You're holding all your breathe for someone else
You're waiting for someone else to save you

All I made was one mistake
I messed up once

Almost seems like you were counting on more
You were looking for an excuse to leave

Do I disappoint you
Have I let you down?

Or did I do something more?
Was my mistake unforgivable?

Well I was way too young, and I was way too shy
I was naive and insecure

But I remember you, remember you
I still think about you

I must have asked myself about a million times if
I've been questioning myself endlessly

Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: JACK BISWELL, MICAH WILLIAMS, JACK A BISWELL, MICAH LLEWELLYN GEORGE WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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