San Diego Reader

Kaleo Wasman: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals | Bret Bollinger: Bass guitar, Vocals | Yesod Williams: Drums

Genre: Pop, Reggae & Ska, Rock

RIYL: Sprung Monkey, Shot Out Hoods, Slightly Stoopid, the Expendables

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Related Links

• Pepper website

• Blurt · June 30, 2005

• Website

Synoposis

Current Status: Now based in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.

Influences: Slightly Stoopid, the Supervillians, Fishbone, Sublime, Passafire, Rust, Sprung Monkey, Rocket from the Crypt

Background:

"He's the man," says Pepper drummer Yesod Williams about L.A. DJ "Jed the Fish," who got his station (KROQ-FM) to play the reggae/rock trio's "Give It Up." That airplay spurred other stations across the country to play the song, which in turn launched a label bidding war over the band (which includes guitarist Kaleo Wassman and bassist Bret Bollinger).

"There were, like, five labels," says Williams. "Columbia, Interscope, Maverick...we went with Lava/Atlantic because they only release, like, 13 records a year. Capitol releases, like, 300." Lava gave the band a three-album deal.

"Nowadays, no one gets huge advances," admits Williams. "But we're happy with the deal, to say the least."

Pepper moved to Vista from Hawaii in 1999, eventually landing a deal with Volcom Entertainment. They started working with Matt Phillips of Silverback Management (Slightly Stoopid, Fishbone) in 2003. Phillips took "Give It Up" -- originally released in 2002 -- to KROQ.

"It was similar to 'Date Rape' by Sublime," says Phillips. "That song was around for three years until it took off [via radio airplay]." The 2007 Warped Tour included Pepper and fellow locals As I Lay Dying.

Their self-titled sixth full-length was previewed in May 2013 by a single for "FKARND."

Discography