Facebook www.faceboo… Read Full Bio ↴New self-titled Pepper album drops Fall 2013!!
Facebook www.facebook.com/pepperlive; Twitter www.twitter.com/pepperlive; Instagram www.instagram.com/pepperlive
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.”
Wet Dreams
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't believe you, as far as I can throw you
I know it hurts too much, the fact that she'll leave you
You messed up my clothes
You're falling asleep, for now
[Chorus]
I wanna know
You're taking this baby way too slow
I need it
And I've been wondering why you've wetted my dreams
Trust me why I say
She'll never be coming home
Cause under her dress now
Is where you belong
So don't buckle from the pressure
Just use your ambition
Squeeze till you're tired
She'll be falling asleep for days and days
[Chorus]
I wanna know all those reasons why you've wetted my dreams
These, ain't no ordinary
These, ain't no ordinary
These, ain't no ordinary
These, just ain't no ordinary
[Chorus: x2]
I wanna know all those reasons why you wetted my dreams
In Pepper's song "Wet Dreams," the lyrics deal with a tumultuous relationship where one person has had their heart broken and is struggling to move on. The lyrics speak to the pain of heartbreak and the difficulties of trusting again. The line "Say to me now, you've never had your heart broken" reflects the skepticism and lack of trust the singer has towards their partner. Despite the partner's protestations, the singer believes they are not being truthful about their past experiences with heartbreak.
The chorus of the song is a plea for more intimacy and emotional openness. The lines "I wanna know all those reasons why / You're taking this baby way too slow / I need it" reveal the singer's frustration with the slow pace of the relationship and their desire for deeper connection.
The third verse suggests a sexual encounter between the singer and their partner, with lines like "Squeeze till you're tired / She'll be falling asleep for days and days." The lyrics suggest that the singer is seeking to escape the pain of heartbreak through physical intimacy, but also indicate their uncertainty about the future of the relationship.
Overall, "Wet Dreams" is a song about the complexity of relationships and the difficulties of trust, intimacy, and moving on after heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Say to me now, you've never had your heart broken
Tell me honestly that you've never experienced the pain of a broken heart
Don't believe you, as far as I can throw you
I don't trust that you've never had your heart broken, I don't trust you at all
I know it hurts too much, the fact that she'll leave you
I understand that the thought of her leaving you is painful
You messed up my clothes
You caused a mess, you ruined my stuff
You're falling asleep, for now
You're about to doze off, you're getting sleepy
I wanna know all those reasons why you're taking this baby way too slow
I want to understand why you're moving at such a slow pace with me
I need it
I require more passion and intimacy from you
And I've been wondering why you've wetted my dreams
I'm curious why you keep appearing in my subconscious thoughts and dreams
Trust me why I say she'll never be coming home
Believe me when I tell you that she won't be returning home
Cause under her dress now is where you belong
You were meant to be intimate with her intimately, so much that she could not bear to be parted from you
So don't buckle from the pressure, just use your ambition
Don't let the situation overwhelm you, instead make use of your drive and determination to see it through
Squeeze till you're tired, she'll be falling asleep for days and days
Keep going until you can't go anymore, and she will be exhausted and want to sleep for a long time
These, ain't no ordinary
These are not ordinary circumstances
These, just ain't no ordinary
This is anything but ordinary
I wanna know all those reasons why you wetted my dreams
I'm curious why you keep appearing in my subconscious thoughts and dreams
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind