Pour les fans de Reggae.
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Along the way, Pepper has sharpened its own "Kona dub-rock" sound — a blend of reggae, alternative rock, island rhythms, and punky spirit — while also building a community of fans and likeminded bands.
That communal spirit runs throughout the band's eighth studio album, Local Motion. After sharing shows for years with their heroes and peers, Pepper's three members — vocalist/guitarist Kaleo Wassman, vocalist/bassist Bret Bollinger, and drummer Yesod Williams — are no longer merely artists; they're ambassadors of a scene, bringing people together under an umbrella of positive-minded music and collaboration. Appropriately, they share the spotlight with some of their longtime friends on Local Motion, whose songs feature appearances by Stick Figure, E.N Young, Micah Brown, Iration, The Green, Tribal Seeds, and Reel Big Fish's Billy Kottage. A celebration of artistic synergy, brotherhood, and modern reggae music, Local Motion is Pepper's most collaborative record to date, shining a light not only upon the three bandmates themselves, but also upon the wide community they've helped build.
"We're part of a community of bands who have the same mindset," says Wassman. "They're our peers. They're our friends. We all exist on the same plane, and that's why we called this album Local Motion, because this is our local scene. It's where we fit in."
Before Pepper began building a community in its adopted hometown of Southern California, the group held its very first rehearsal in 1997 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. All three members were natives of the Big Island, and together, they made a sound that nodded to their tropical roots while also moving forward into new territory. After earning a local fanbase in Hawaii, they moved to the mainland, where Pepper quickly became a popular live act. Pepper's diverse music allowed the group to tour the country with a wide variety of bands, including reggae icons (The Wailers), punk bands (Pennywise), reggae-rockers (311, Slightly Stoopid), and hip-hop legends (Snoop Dogg). Meanwhile, the band's admiration for DIY-minded groups like NOFX inspired Pepper to launch its own label, LAW Records, which gave the trio complete control over its own music. It also allowed the band to sign other acts, which expanded Pepper's circle even further.
For an album that features nearly a dozen guests, Local Motion was appropriately recorded with several producers, including Stick Figure, the English Beat's Wayne Lothian, E.N Young, Henry Fong, Jinco, the Dirty Heads' Dave Foral, and Jungle Josh. Working with a range of collaborators gave Pepper a chance to experiment with new sounds. The result is an album that pays tribute to the band's past while also pushing forward — and, perhaps, hinting at what might be in store for the next 20 years. There's the brass-filled bounce of "Carnaval," the sexed-up swagger of "Sugar (808 remix)," and the summery grooves of "Warning," all wrapped into a tracklist whose songs celebrate the bright side of a life well-lived.
"When we moved to California, we were playing small clubs," remembers Bollinger, who now plays outdoor amphitheaters, indoor theaters, festivals, and other high-capacity venues with his bandmates. "We felt like we were one of the only bands carrying the flag for this genre in America. These days, it's different. We're seeing some real movement within the reggae scene. This sound has become an established part of American music, and we're grateful for the other bands who are flying the flag, too. Everything is connecting. The energy is right. Incorporating those bands into our new record was the perfect alignment of where we need to be."
"In a world of social chaos," adds Yes Williams, "we wanted a ‘return to community,' that community being the reggae-rock community. We continue to flourish and grow due to the synergy of likeminded bands and fans. Without each other, we are nothing, fom where the music comes from to where it goes. This record is filtered through the community, a true Local Motion that we are lucky enough to be a part of."
There is a very special, slightly inexplicable relationship between reggae rock and Southern California culture; to be honest, it’s derived directly from Sublime’s success. That’s not to say that the genre was specific only to California, as The Movement is originally from South Carolina, but it does explain why I have an affinity to the band and the music that they make.
Their shows are a lot of fun to watch. With the band already on stage and starting the first song, “Mexico”, they have a laid-back demeanor but also are filled with a lot of energy resulting in a lot of jumping in place. For the entire set, you can see how much fun they are having just by the way they let the music take over, making them move all around the stage as they play their instruments. Everyone in the crowd has just as much fun, mainly because you can’t stop yourself from head bobbing or jumping up and down to the music. They are really engaging with the crowd as well, getting them to wave their arms, or to move along with them. It is really like watching getting to watch a giant jam session with a ton of people instead of a staged show.
I had some "crazy love" for the Pepper & Dirty Heads concert last night at The Warfield in San Francisco! I really enjoyed the atmosphere brought about by both bands, as they shared positive energy to the audience that captured memories for many. Their adoration for San Francisco and talented musical skill enhanced loud cheers, singing, and dancing.
I have been listening to Pepper and Dirty Heads back in the early 2000s when I was in High School, so I was really appreciative when they played some of their old songs along with their new ones. For example, Dirty Head's performance for "Stand Tall" was equally impressive as their newest song "Burn Slow. I had hoped Dirty Heads had played more of their old songs such as, "Driftin'," "Ring the Alarm," "Antelope," "Sails to the Wind," and "State of Mind," but their amazing performance enticed me to download and buy their newer albums. For example, their new songs, "Believe," and "Medusa," blew me away-- they are now songs that I intend to overplay on my iTunes. Pepper too performed, "Crazy Love," "Ashes," "Like your style," and "Stormtrooper," all classics! Pepper especially showed admiration for their old school listeners, dedicating some of these songs to the crowd.
I now have two T-shirts by both bands that I will forever treasure as a reminder of how extraordinary and lively this night was! Thank you Pepper & Dirty Heads for the awesome time!