Three Dashes of Pepper, Please

Next week, Pepper brings their Like a Surgeon tour to their second home, San Diego. 

Having established a cult following here with their album Give’n It, they will perform Nov. 17 at the Belly Up Tavern. Need more? The House of Blues recently added shows on Nov. 18-19. 

The Hawaiian island trio combines reggae and rock, infused with an island style and back up by seductive lyrics. Pepper’s shows are more like live music orgies, filled with sexual limericks and a tenacity for bodily pleasure as demonstrated in their hit track, “Give It Up.”  Kona Town, their debut album also produced another fan favorite, “Stone Love,” a tribute to the immortal Stone Love Sound System, namely reggae selector (DJ) Rory.   

Appealing to younger fans, Pepper’s catalog of porn-style lyrics has produced many popular songs, including “No Control,” “Mirror,” “Crazy Love” and the poetic “Point and Shoot,” nearly a psalm to cunnilingus. “Wake Up,” off their latest EP Stitches, is an upbeat tempo track, which is pumped full of electric guitar strings. Captivating and acquiring broader reggae fans, Pepper has toured with Burning Spear, Shaggy and the Wailers

Pepper is often compared with Sublime, but Pepper's style is more versatile, dabbling in dancehall reggae and ska, in addition to punk and alternative rock. Sure, they wear shorts without shirts, embrace tattoo art, sport six-packs and the vibe to create mosh pits, but Pepper stands alone with their music and live performances. The band features Kaleo Wassman (lead singer and guitar), Bret Bollinger (vocals and bass) and Yesod Williams (drums).

The Belly Up Tavern show is sold out, but tickets are available for the House of Blues Nov. 18 and 19 ($25). The Nov. 18 show is an all-ages show. Fishbone and Pour Habit will open for Pepper at all three shows.

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