As 1/3 of the trio that is Reggae/Punk/Pop band Pepper, bass player/vocalist Bret Bollinger is honest and outspoken, vocalizing his distaste for those who ride the emo-scene wave, and the mainstream media that embraces them. But he is also genuine and charismatic, sharing with us about growing up in Hawaii, the things that REALLY turn him on, his take on Angelina Jolie movies and even his steel-proof tip for enjoying life. Get ready for some dirty, hot sex-education about a band that is truly one of a kind!

“The Indians did it, why can’t we!?” proclaimed Bollinger matter-of-factly as we sat down cross-legged in a circle on the grass in the bus lot of Arizona’s Warped Tour.

Bare-chested, tan, and heavily bearded, Bollinger looked like a surfer version of that Spartan warrior dude in the movie “300.” Except war is pretty much the farthest thing from his mind. And if war is the farthest, sex is the closest.

“You know, you could send a herd of naked chicks into the war right now and it would stop it,” theorized Bollinger with a coy smile. “Seriously!”

On an island where there is only 3 radio stations and 3 main styles of music (Island, Contemporary Hawaiian and Reggae), Pepper dared to be different. In fact, it was punk revolutionaries Bad Religion and NOFX that first fueled Bollinger’s musical aspirations.

“Our family and friends don’t hear [punk music]. They don’t have the patience for MTV,” said Bollinger. “But Haoles (Hawaiian slang for locals who are white) and Hawaiian kids don’t know what to do with themselves when they hear punk. They’re just like blown away!” he added as he spread his arms to demonstrate the magnitude of their emotional response.

The spirit of true punk, a strong sense of self, and a solid connection with their island roots, was and continues to be, the foundation of Pepper’s sound and attitude about their place in today’s emo-music scene. Meaning, they don’t have one, they know this, and they embrace it.

Ironically, Pepper’s 30 minute Warped Tour set, AKA “The Emo Break” routinely draws the largest crowd of the day to their stage.

“We do not do the flavor of the month deal. Emo-Sheemo,” stated Bollinger. “Don’t get me wrong, there is no animosity about Emo. We love their art, but we’d NEVER buy their album. It’s just so saturated! We really can’t do [what emo bands do]. We’d throw up on ourselves!”

Their song “B.O.O.T” reads, “We’re on the road you see, we’re not on MTV, but when we get there we won’t shave our hair or be like Creed!” And Pepper, unlike most established entities with cult followings, always practice what they preach!

The comedic, hormonally-driven track “Give It Up” is by far the most well known Pepper song. Yah know, the one about dirty hot sex!?

“It was written right after the ’02 Warped. It was making fun of “the scene.” Not “emo” like now. Back then it was “pop-punk,” Bollinger said sarcastically using air quotations.

“My mom was SO pissed about “Give It Up,”’ remembered Bollinger laughing. “Now she’ll be at a concert and sing it with everybody else!”

“Give It Up” has become a sort of banner for Pepper and not to mention a staple in every stoner/surfer kids I-POD. The song has also been the biggest aid in fueling the sexually-charged revolution of Pepper’s music.

“What gets us off is watching girls and guys meet and dance.” Bollinger said and then continued to recount one of their concerts when they turned off all the lights in the club and told the audience to “meet each other” and then watched the crowd “feel around in the dark.”

“It was fun!” remembered Bollinger, “Just GET HORNY! That’s what is fun for us!”

20 minutes later, our conversation turned away from music and onto, of all people, Angelina Jolie. In particular, her HBO movie “GIA.”

“Oh yah – We’ve for sure f***ing blown some man-protein to that movie,” he said referring to him and band mate (guitar player/vocalist) Kaleo Wassman.

Until Pepper, we had never met anybody else who had even seen that movie! Let alone seen it more than once! (Click Club meetings start in August… get ready boys! )

Once the laughter died down, Bollinger made us promise him one thing: that we would let other media publications know that bands are really sick of the same questions over and over and over again… and who can blame them?

“You never see media doing anything cool,” he said. “I’m proud of you girls!” Awe Bret, Thanks!

Literally just as he told us this, 3 members of Street Drum Corps walked by and said, “What’s going on here? This is one beautiful interview!”

Bollinger smiled and excitedly said, “Now they f***ing get it! Life is beautiful!”

As you can tell, Pepper now has a very special place in our music-lovin’ hearts and not only that, but Bollinger offered up some of the most priceless advice we think we’ve ever heard!

“Stop f***ing crying about your life and about not getting p****y,” he urged. “And just enjoy your beautiful life!”

Amen, Bret. Amen.

X0,
Shaia and Lisa