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Volume 72, Issue 76,
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Life & Arts Pepper credits its success to chemistry,
by ELI JABBE
Pepper features a distinctness you don't see often in music today. Though best described as a rock band, Pepper's sound has a little bit of everything and is often compared to that of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sublime. At first glance, Pepper's album No Shame sounds like rock, but it features elements of other styles such as r&b. Yesod Williams, the group's drummer, said its sound is influenced by the fact that he and his fellow band members listened to all types of music when they were growing up. "(We listened to) everything from 2Pac to reggae singer Barrington Levy, and of course rock musicians like grunge groups such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam," Williams said. The group, which also includes guitarist Kaleo Wassman and bassist Bret Bollinger, grew up in the small town of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The members worked their way up to playing at local parties in Hawaii in 1997. After two years, they decided their passion for music was undeniable, so they quit their jobs and moved to southern California to pursue their dreams. The band's hard work on its first album, Give 'N It, paid off when it was signed by Volcom Records in 2001. That same year, Pepper embarked on the grueling Warped Tour. "(Warped Tour) prepared us for the rigors of the industry … (and) gave us a better understanding of what it takes to be a musician," Williams said. The members all lived together in an apartment when they moved to Los Angeles in 1999. Williams said this greatly helped them develop chemistry. "We knew each other before the music, and we also all had common goals," he said. Years later, Pepper is now signed to Atlantic Records. It released its major debut in 2006 after three independent albums. No Shame features more of the diverse style the group is known for as well as production from the likes of Tony Kanal of No Doubt and Paul Leary of Sublime. Williams said the transition to a major label has opened doors for the band. "There are now many people involved, which means there are more opinions, but at the same time we have a lot more promotion … while maintaining freedom in creating music our way," he said. Pepper will embark on the Float the Boat tour this year and will perform March 16 at Warehouse Live. Visit www.pepperlive.com for more information. Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu |
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