Gearing up for a national tour in support of their upcoming new record, following their 1st appearance on national TV, playing Jimmy Kimmel Live, Pepper, is in hype mode as fans anxiously await the Hawaiians’ first full-length studio album in over 5 Years.
Recently signing with a major label for the second time, the forthcoming album will be released through a joint effort with Island Records and the band’s own Law Records.
Recorded in various studios throughout the year, for their latest effort, Pepper recorded in the studio with Matt Wallace, a veteran producer known for his work with Maroon 5, O.A.R. and Faith No More. Wallace was able to focus the group’s vision and expand their musical knowledge base, an experience the band members compare to being in their own version of college. 
“We learned so much,” Drummer Yesod Williams explains. “Matt helped us really focus on the art of songwriting. He sat in the room with the three of us with a fine-tooth comb and went over every word, every melody, every sound. He showed us that it’s important what you do play as well as what you don’t play, creating both spaces in the songs. We learned how powerful simplicity can be. Plus, we had such a good time recording this album and I think that shows.”
[Related: Pepper’s New Album Delayed]
Though the recording process may have been slow, the trio strives to deliver a modern sounding Pepper, one that spotlights how Pepper has evolved over the years. It’s a sound that stays true to the band’s famous island party vibes, including elements that they’re known for, while also extending the sound deeper than the Surf-Reggae-Rock sound that made them so successful.
“It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done as a band to make this record,” says guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman, when discussing the recording process of their new self-titled album. “It speaks loudly and widely to a broader audience while maintaining everything good about the band, which, first of all, is our positive attitude.”
Yesod adds, “This record feels very cohesive in a way our past releases maybe didn’t. I think it’s an album that can appeal to everyone, as well. We’ve been pigeonholed in the past so this is an opportunity to transcend all that and spread our wings even wider.”
Originally set for a July 16th release date, Pepper has pushed back their new 12 track self-titled album till September, 3rd, pairing the release with the opening night of their national fall tour, a run confirmed as an extensive two-month, 36-city headlining U.S. tour. Joining Pepper on select dates will be Seattle Hip hop artist Grieves and the Indie go-go band RDGLDGRN of Reston, Virginia.
In addition to their fall headlining tour, Pepper has added a few August gigs including performances at the X Games, and a headlining spot at the 3rd annual Shoreline Jam festival, sharing the stage with Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds, Fishbone, Clear Conscience and Ethan Tucker.
For more information on Pepper and their new record, see below for full details
Pepper – Self Titled Track Listing:
1.) Deep Country
2.) Fuck Around (All Night)
3.) These Hands
4.) Higher Ground
5.) Hunny Girl
6.) Undone
7.) P.O.Y.L.
8.) Push
9.) Come And Get Me
10.) Don’t You Know
11.) It Was You
12.) Illuminate
Pepper Tour Dates:
Aug 17 @ Main Street Armory. 94.1 Presents Scion’s Bonzai Bash. Rochester, NY
Sep 03 @ Rialto Theatre. Tucson, AZ*
Sep 05 @ House Of Blues. Houston, TX*
Sep 06 @ House Of Blues. Dallas, Texas*
Sep 07 @ Stubb’s Bar-B-Q / Waller Creek Amph. Austin, TX*
Sep 08 @ House Of Blues. New Orleans, LA*
Sep 10 @ Revolution. Fort Lauderdale, FL**
Sep 11 @ Jannus Live. Saint Petersburg, FL**
Sep 12 @ House Of Blues. Lake Buena Vista, FL**
Sep 13 @ Center Stage Theater. Atlanta, GA **
Sep 14 @ House Of Blues. North Myrtle Beach, SC***
Sep 17 @ NorVa. Norfolk, VA***
Sep 18 @ Baltimore Soundstage. Baltimore, MD***
Sep 19 @ The National. Richmond, VA ***
Sep 20 @ Theatre Of The Living Arts. Philadelphia, PA***
Sep 21 @ Webster Hall. New York, NY***
Sep 24 @ House Of Blues, Boston, MA***
Sep 25 @ Higher Ground – Ballroom. South Burlington, VT ***
Sep 26 @ The Town Ballroom. Buffalo, NY***
Sep 27 @ Upstate Concert Hall. Clifton Park, NY***
Sep 28 @ The Westcott Theater. Syracuse, NY***
Sep 30 @ The Altar Bar. Pittsburgh, PA***
Oct 01 @ House Of Blues. Cleveland, OH ***
Oct 03 @ Majestic Theatre. Madison, WI***
Oct 04 @ House Of Blues. Chicago, IL***
Oct 05 @ Mill City Nights . Minneapolis, MN*
Oct 08 @ Ogden Theatre. Denver, CO*
Oct 10 @ Knitting Factory Concert House. Reno, NV*
Oct 11 @ McDonald Theatre. Eugene, OR*
Oct 12 @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom. Portland, OR*
Oct 16 @ Warfield Theatre. San Francisco, CA*
Oct 17 @ Ventura, Calif., Majestic Ventura Theatre*
Oct 18 @ San Diego, Calif., House Of Blues*
*RDGLDGRN
**Grieves
*** Grieves,RDGLDGRN
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Article By: Aaron Solomon
Listen: Pepper – “FKARND” (New Single).
This is a lyrical video with the official music video being shot in June. This video includes the auditions for the official music video to be released SOON. Enjoy!
