"Kona Dub-Rock." That's how Pepper describes their blend of reggae, alternative rock, dub,

island rhythms, and punk rock energy. It's a sound that's taken the trio from the Big Island of

Hawaii — where vocalist/guitarist Kaleo Wassman, vocalist/bassist Bret Bollinger, and drummer

Yesod Williams held their first band practice as teenagers in the late 1990s — to the upper

reaches of Billboard's Reggae Albums chart, where 2019's Local Motion peaked at Number 1.

Nearly 25 years into the band's career, Pepper's three members are no longer merely artists.

They're ambassadors to a thriving scene. As co-founders of their own record label, LAW

Records, they've enriched the reggae community worldwide by reissuing albums by Steel Pulse

and Jimmy Cliff and releasing more than 20 other artists. As road warriors, they've traveled

North America with The Wailers, 311, Pennywise, and Snoop Dogg, building a diverse

community of collaborators and fans by blurring the boundaries that normally exist between

genres. For Pepper, each new album is an opportunity not only to pay homage to their own

reggae-rock roots, but also to expand the circle of connection, camaraderie, and synergy that

surrounds the band.

Makai, the group's newest EP, finds Pepper leaning even further into those roots. The record's

title is a Hawaiian term that roughly translates to "by the ocean," and these six songs evoke the

sounds and sights of the band's island home. "Get Me Ready" (co-written by Tim Armstrong of

Rancid and Kevin Bivona of The Interrupters) opens the album with a burst of sonic sunshine,

while "Sweet Leef" sings the praises of herbal relief. Even the album's artwork, which was

created by longtime collaborator Ben Brough, pays tribute to Hawaii's ocean culture.

Brough isn't the only collaborator to appear on the record. Makai continues the band's

longtime practice of community building, with more than a half-dozen guest musicians

contributing to various songs. Stick Figure's Johnny Cosmic produces the track “Stay High.” Edley

Shine of Born Jamericans appears on "Dancing on the Moon," a song produced by David Foral of

the Dirty Heads, while Iration — one of the first bands to ever release music through LAW

Records — contribute to "Tides." Together, those collaborators help shine a light on the

extended family that Pepper has spent decades creating.

With new music and other creative ventures on the horizon, Pepper's three members continue

to fly the flag for a rich musical community built upon camaraderie and collaboration. There will

always be more shows to play. More albums to release. More friends to work with. As Pepper

moves forward, though, the band continues to look back, too, honoring the Hawaiian homeland

that has always been the inspiration for the band's art