Pepper has been around since 1999 when they released there first full length album. In total Pepper has three albums and this is there second one. I only own this and "In with the Old" and to compare the two, I think this one prevailes because it is just and all around better album.
Members Kaeleo Wassman - Guitar, Vocals
Bret Bollinger - Bass, Vocals
Yesod Williams - Drums
Remy DeRochement - Dub Effects
Additional Members - Josh Fischel (vocals on Stormtrooper)
Willie Waldman - Horns
Ronnie King - Keys
Pepper is a reggae/ska band. The vocals are smooth and the music is just plain chill out. Pepper goes from rock to reggae to ska to punk. Theres some dub effects thrown in occasionally, and there are also some brief horn parts here and there. Even though Pepper makes some good reggae or chill music they will not amaze.
The comparisons to Sublime are just unavoidable. Kaeleo sounds a lot like Bradley Nowell and the music sounds very similar to Sublime. As for saying Pepper are Sublime rip-offs that is just plain ridiculous. I would say that Pepper is a lot more mellow and they arn't as inventive.
With some guitar riffs, smooth vocals, good drum beats, and some great rock parts Pepper gets the job done. They have some excellent reggae songs like "Stone Love", "Dry Spell", and "Tradewinds". Pepper can go from reggae to a more rockish sound with songs like "B.O.O.T." and "Face Plant." Pepper isn't a very inventive band but they keep there songs from sounding the same by adding in some dub effects and the trumpet is really good in "Sitting On The Curb."
When I say reggae sounding I don't mean Bob Marley reggae, Pepper is just very reggae influenced. On top of the reggae are some dub effects and smooth vocals. Kaeleo doesn't have a reggae type of voice, but it is mellow and very smooth. When you listen to Pepper you feel like your lying on the beach in Hawaii. There is just that feel to the songs that make you feel so good. If you think that Pepper is a 3rd wave ska band, they are not. Once again I would not consider Pepper a ska band and maybe not even a reggae band and certaintly not punk. Pepper puts reggae into there music and then they combine a little bit of ska and punk into there songs. "Office" even provides a very nice guitar solo. To sum up this band I would just say there music is just very mellow or "chill out" music.
The lyrics on Kona Town are fairly simple. There is nothing really that deep and most of these songs are love songs. Pepper's lyrics deal with having no friends ("Face Plant") and even some depressing lyrics from "Sitting On The Curb." Once again the lyrics arn't anything special yet they arn't obnoxius. If you're seeking some nice lyrical depth than Pepper is not the band for you, but i you don't really pay attention to lyrics than this shouldn't be a problem.
Overall Rating 3.5/5
Pros : Good chill out music
Vocals
Great ska/reggae/punk fun.
Cons: Not very inventive
Some people may call Pepper Sublime rip-offs.
Recomended Tracks:
"Tradewinds"
"Sitting On The Curb"
"Office"
"Stone Love"
Once again Pepper is just nice mellow reggae-ish type music. They are very good just to sit back and relax to. If you like bands like Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, and Bargain Music then this is for you.
This Message Edited On 09.22.05
