Pepper

For two decades, Pepper has sharpened its "Kona dub-rock" sound — a blend of reggae, alternative rock, island rhythms, and punky spirit — while also building a community of fans and likeminded bands. Before they began building a community in their adopted hometown of Southern California, the group held its very first rehearsal in 1997 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. All three members were natives of the Big Island, and together, they made a sound that nodded to their tropical roots while also moving forward into new territory. After earning a local fanbase in Hawaii, they moved to the mainland, where Pepper quickly became a popular live act, touring the country with a wide variety of iconic bands, including The Wailers, Pennywise, 311, Slightly Stoopid, and Snoop Dogg. The band's admiration for DIY-minded groups like NOFX also inspired Pepper to launch its own label, LAW Records, which gave the trio complete control over their own music. For years, Pepper's Ebony U•Bass has become a mainstay of the group's acoustic endeavors and radio performances, while Kala ukuleles have made appearances on LAW releases and solo performances from Pepper's Kaleo Wassman.