![[INTERVIEW] Kaleo Wassman of Pepper](https://thesightsandsounds.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pepper-interview.gif)
[INTERVIEW] Kaleo Wassman of Pepper
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If you’ve never heard Pepper‘s music, it’s time for you to get out from under you rock and start jamming to some real island music. Hailing from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Pepper has released five studio albums, one live album, and been on the road with some of the best punk/reggae bands around, playing festivals such as Vans Warped Tour, Lollapalooza, and the Mile High Festival. If that wasn’t enough, the bandmates of Pepper got together in 2007 and created their own record label, LAW Records, to promote Pepper and bands such as Ballyhoo!, Passafire, Iration, and The Supervillains. I had the extreme pleasure of being able to sit down with singer/guitarist Kaleo Wassman and ask him a few questions about what’s new with life and Pepper.
Listen to Peppers while you read:
[wpaudio url=”http://thesightsandsounds.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/11-Point-and-Shoot.mp3″ text=”Pepper – Point and Shoot” dl=”0″]
[wpaudio url=”http://thesightsandsounds.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/09-Give-It-Up.mp3″ text=”Pepper – Give It Up” dl=”0″]
The Sights and Sounds: You just got done touring all summer with Warped Tour and now you guys are back on the road again with the ”Last Calls & Liabilities” tour (See tour dates after the interview). How’s that going for you?
Kaleo Wassman: Incredible, the shows have been just insane. All three bands are just firing right now (Ballyhoo, The Expendables, Pepper). We have this amazing time in our careers to produce the best live show right now! And everyone involved is feeling it! We were fortunate this summer to do Kevin Lyman’s Vans Warped Tour with some amazing bands this summer like Pour Habit, Less Then Jake, Grives, Yellawolf, and of course our brothers, The Expendables. But summer wasn’t enough, so here we are right back in it.
The Sights and Sounds: I saw you guys perform in Chicago for Warped Tour. It was an awesome show. (Check the video here.) So, you end your tour in Hawaii. Is the band going to take some much needed rest and relaxation?
Kaleo Wassman: Maybe a week or two, but we head back into the studio ASAP. The next Pepper record is being crafted and has in fact been in the making for the last year and a half. Now it’s time to let the people explore it.
The Sights and Sounds: Pepper just announced their first ever tour dates in South America. That’s exciting news for the band. Have you ever been there yourself?
Kaleo Wassman: I love South America. I stayed in Argentina for 3 weeks two years ago. Almost didn’t make it back. Stunning area of the world.
The Sights and Sounds: It’s pretty well known that you guys hail from Kona. Besides the obvious influence in genre, how else have your Hawaiian roots influenced your music?
Kaleo Wassman: By not really putting to much emphases on yourself it gives you time to actually have some fun in this life. Hawaii is a place of magic and connection. You are always influenced by it. Not just in the music, but in every part of you as well.
The Sights and Sounds: You also have a side project with Remy “Dub” DeRochemont, called Sabotage Soundsystem. How’s that coming along?
Kaleo Wassman: Sabo is a place for me and Dub to not forget why we both love music. It is non produced, it is non stress, and there is no script. Just what ever comes to mind, write it, play it, record it, then go surf. Sabo is currently making a new record but it won’t be released for awhile.
The Sights and Sounds: What musicians have had the biggest inspiration on you?
Kaleo Wassman: That could take weeks to answer. How about this. Right now I’m listening to Plastic Beach on my iPhone.
The Sights and Sounds: That’ll work for me. If you could collaborate with any musician, time not being a factor, who would it be?
Kaleo Wassman: Ali Campbell.
The Sights and Sounds: Have you gotten much surfing in recently?
Kaleo Wassman: Fuck yeah, right before our tour started we scored for two weeks on this pretty big south that rolled in. Took a couple to the head that felt like Hawaii juice in Cali. Super fun!
The Sights and Sounds: I can get up on the board, but I’d some lesson! In closing, and possibly the largest open ended question on this interview, what would be the best experience you’ve had as a musician?
Kaleo Wassman: Saving the best for last, huh!! Wow, ok. This will have to be in two parts for me, no way around it. First part, I love being inspired at random times. I don’t usually sit down at a desk and say “Ok, I’m gonna right this song today.” That never happens. Every song usually starts on a cocktail napkin at a bar, or stationary in a hotel room, or being woken up at 4 in the morning with some shit playing on repeat in my head. I’m so enamored by music to be able to experience it in that way. And second, the experience of meeting people everyday in every country around the world!! It’s gotten to the point where I won’t watch the news or read a paper anymore because of the negative approach media has to explain human beings. As different as we are, it really isn’t that much of a stretch. I believe the majority of us just want to be happy and live. And the more I travel, meet, talk, and share drinks with people through out the world the more my statement rings true to me.
[Editor’s note: That statement might be one of the coolest answers I’ve gotten to that question]
The Sights and Sounds: Thanks again Kaleo for taking the time to sit down and answer some questions. It’s greatly appreciated and I wish you guys good luck on the rest of your tour!
Kaleo Wassman: Thank you my man, alohaz!!!
Last Calls and Liabilities Tour Schedule
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