Pepper releasing self-titled album on July 16th
Music News | May 9th, 2013
Hawaii’s Pepper are back with a brand new album that is called, well, it’s called Pepper. It’s coming out on July 16th via Law Records and the band has also announced some West Coast dates as well. But don’t worry East Coasters, a national headline tour is in the works!
For Southern California-based PEPPER, breaking expectations wasn’t about losing themselves as much as it was redefining themselves. In a way, self-titling their upcoming album (LAW Records; release date: July 16, 2013) was Step One of the process. “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.” Before they unleash Pepper on the masses, the band will be hitting road to prep their fans for what’s in store in the coming months (tour dates below).
Broadening beyond the surf rock that they have been known for, the band challenged themselves and ultimately made what they consider to be their best record to date. “It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done as a band to make this record,” explains guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman. From the feel good, head-nodding “Deep Country” to the sunshine filled jam “Honey Girl” to the radio-friendly anthem “FKARND”, Pepper really expands the band’s palette and displays just how much they’ve grown from their last full-length, 2008’s defining Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations. 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 could appeal to people well beyond our fanbase.” Produced by Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Faith No More, O.A.R.), Pepper was recorded in various studios over the course of a year. “Matt helped us really focus on the art of songwriting,” describes Williams. “He sat in the room with the three of us with a fine-tooth comb and went over every word, every melody, every sound.”
Formed in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1997, Pepper built a huge following through their five studio albums as well as their non-stop touring with bands such as 311, Slightly Stoopid, Snoop Dogg, Pennywise, Less Than Jake, and Flogging Molly. No strangers to the festival world, they’ve kick off impressive sets on Lollapalooza, Miles High Festival, West Beach Music Festival, and numerous rounds of Jagermeister Music Tour and Warped Tour.
pepper ON TOUR
May 09 Troubadour Los Angeles, CA
May 10 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
May 11 Mariner’s Point-Mission Bay San Diego, CA
May 12 SLO Brewing Company San Luis Obispo, CA
May 14 The Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA
May 15 Fulton 55 Fresno, CA
May 16 Ace of Spades Sacramento, CA
May 17 Phoenix Theater Petaluma, CA
May 18 Senator Theatre Chico, CA
May 21 Domino Room Bend, OR
May 22 Knitting Factory Boise, ID May 23 Knitting Factory Concert House Spokane, WA
May 24 The Wilma Theatre Missoula, MT
May 25 Billings, MT – Babcock Theatre
May 27 Cheyenne, WY – The Historic Atlas Theater
May 28 Boulder, CO – Fox Theater
June 7 Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
June 8 Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sound Waves Pool Stage
June 9 Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Rehab
