ASBURY PARK, NJ– It’s summer in Asbury Park, New Jersey, families are enjoying the beach, the bars are packed and finding a parking space is next to impossible. The backdrop for this show was the iconic Stone Pony, which some would consider the music and cultural center of New Jersey. Steeped in musical history, the Stone Pony has been a mecca to the music community; both local and national. Spring boarding the musical carriers of Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and Bon Jovi while hosting the likes of The Ramones, Blondie, Green Day, Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys, it’s easy to see the significance of this historic venue.
Pepper hails from San Diego California by way of Kona, Hawaii with band members Kaleo Wassman on guitar and vocals, Bret Bollinger on bass and vocals and Yesod Williams on drums and vocals. Pepper is a Law Records Recording artist whose latest album Ohana dropped in 2016.,
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Pepper a few times over the years, witnessing their evolution as individual artists and as a band, who always seem to be looking for a way to do it better. Pepper’s music is a fusion of styles including reggae and rock influences with a touch of Island attitude for good measure. Known for their support of the bud, Pepper shows are usually full of fans getting “mellow” to the music.
Yesod Williams was first on stage, standing behind the drum kit with his fist in the air taunting the crowd like a rugby player doing a haka, followed by Williams and Bollinger. After a brief intro the band started their set with “Too Much” off the Kona Town album, igniting the crowd. As part of an overall show, and with a limited set time, Pepper stuck to their classics like “B.o.o.t,” “Stone Love,” “Fuck Around” and “Never Ending Summer”, with Bollinger and Williams taking turns getting the crowd pumped up. Pepper’s music was a perfect fit at the Pony with a breeze blowing off the ocean lending to a chill but lively show. The venue had the band truly in its element. Pepper continued their set with “Freeze” and “No control” ending with “Give it Up” while giant inflatable blunts were bounced around by the crowd.
Pepper’s set was everything you would expect at the beach in the summer, the two blending perfectly, with Pepper delivering the sonics, and mother nature the cool summer breeze. Until next time.
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