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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.”
Zicky
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What would you do, not to see your tears fall
Sleeping so still with a little time to kill
Drink down this thought, swallow this pill
And the world would not move
So let me cry and sooth
The ink would never dry on page
About you, about you, about you
Days are just lonely, days are just only
Used up like school books, forgotten like fools, fools
It's a distant constellation dying in the corner of the sky
I'm not looking for a miracle, just an explanation why, about you
About you, about you, about you
About you, about you, about you, about you
'Bout you, about you, it's about you
The lyrics of Pepper's song "Zicky" are deep and introspective, touching upon the concept of what one would do if they had it all or had nothing at all. The first line, "If you had it all, if you had nothing at all," poses a question to the listener about their priorities and values. The following line, "What would you do, not to see your tears fall," suggests that regardless of their situation, everyone wants to avoid pain and heartbreak.
The verses following the opening lines illustrate a sense of loneliness and the emotional pain of losing someone. The third line, "Sleeping so still with a little time to kill," emphasizes the loneliness and a sense of waiting for something that may never happen. The next line, "Drink down this thought, swallow this pill," suggests the acceptance of the pain and that sometimes one must swallow their emotions and try to move on.
The chorus of the song, "And the world would not move, so let me cry and soothe," seems to suggest that the world does not stop for anyone's pain or suffering, but sometimes it is necessary to cry and release those emotions. The following lyrics, "The ink would never dry on page, tears fall on words I say about you, about you, about you," emphasize the idea of releasing emotions through writing, especially when it is about someone who has caused heartbreak.
The second verse continues the theme of loneliness and the feeling of being forgotten. The lines, "Days are just lonely, days are just only, used up like school books, forgotten like fools, fools," emphasize the fleeting nature of time and how easily one can be forgotten. The song concludes with the repeating line, "About you, about you, about you, about you, 'bout you, about you, it's about you," suggesting that regardless of one's situation or the passing of time, thoughts and feelings about the person causing the pain remain.
Line by Line Meaning
If you had it all, if you had nothing at all
Regardless of whether you have everything or nothing, the same question remains
What would you do, not to see your tears fall
What actions would you take to prevent yourself from crying
Sleeping so still with a little time to kill
Lying down and waiting idly with some spare time
Drink down this thought, swallow this pill
Take in this idea and accept it, even if it's difficult
And the world would not move
The world would continue to stay still and unchanged
So let me cry and soothe
Allow me to express my emotions and find comfort
The ink would never dry on page
Words on a page would remain permanent and eternal
Tears fall on words I say about you
I am emotional when I speak about you
Days are just lonely, days are just only
Days are devoid of companionship and significance
Used up like school books, forgotten like fools, fools
Days become useless like school books and neglected like foolish mistakes
It's a distant constellation dying in the corner of the sky
Something once prominent and bright is fading away in the distance
I'm not looking for a miracle, just an explanation why, about you
I don't need an extraordinary solution, just a plausible reason for your actions
About you, about you, about you, about you
The focus is solely on you
'Bout you, about you, it's about you
Everything centers around you
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barry Fenelon
When that guitar solo pops in though... chills down my spine
The Happys
This is a fantastic song, underrated!
Garrett Chandler
RIP to all my friends that died how I should've, but I was spared. "I'm not looking for a miracle, just an explanation why, about you"
Ballz Deep
That’s a question that there’s never an answer for…
Toe Warrior
This song needs to be more popular!
The Voice Of Truth
I don't think it could be. Most don't relate or at least until a certain age death hasn't occurred enough in a younger person's life, but for me this song hits deep if shit has seriously gone wrong in ways that make you want to just end it. Idk, my perception
Hunter
@The Voice Of Truth , literally learning this song right now because it's a relative death day today. Stopped outside to have a cigarette. But hey man.. take it easy on yourself alright, and enjoy what life you got while you got it.
Jaelyn Villanueva
No I will gatekeep
JonEnowhere
Seriously this is my new favorite song and it was produced HOW MANY years ago?
Damn I missed out on some good tunes in my time but this is a travesty.
Jeff Zeman
At least you finding em now doggy