LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Pepper, Vana Liya in Boston, MA (03.03.25)
On a cold blustery March night, Pepper, the Hawaiian-bred reggae-rock trio, brought their signature blend of laid-back island grooves and infectious energy to their Boston “Ohana” at the legendary Paradise Rock Club. Last time they came to town was 2 years ago (also in March) with Joe Samba. This time around they brought along Vana Liya, the Soca/Calypso ukelele player with her band. The intimate setting was the perfect backdrop for a night filled with high-energy jams, crowd sing-alongs, and a clear connection between the band and their devoted fanbase.
Vana Liya, opened with a fun upbeat song that got the crowd moving. Signed with Pepper’s record label LAW (and recently working with Johnny Cosmic from Stick Figure to produce albums), she has been making waves across the USA with her original ukelele-based sound, known for her spin on popular reggae rock staples. To close out their set, “99 Red Balloons” (which they mentioned was a first for them) was covered and had a sun-drenched vibe that was fitting for their sound. Really lovely voice and they brought a good deal of energy to their set.
Pepper kicked off their set, their usual high energy in tow, with “Stormtrooper,” a fan favorite known for its bouncy rhythm and catchy hooks. Pepper’s frontman, Kaleo Wassman, always exuded the kind of confident but friendly stage presence that made the packed venue feel like a close-knit gathering, bassist and vocalist Bret Bollinger kept the party rolling while drummer, Yesod Williams, laid down his funky island beats. The band wasted no time in bringing the heat with “No Control,” a fan favorite that had the crowd moving with its reggae-inspired beats and infectious chorus. The energy only heightened as the band dove into “Fuck Around,” a carefree anthem from their self-titled 2013 album that will live rent free in your lead if you let it. After a chilled out “The Invite,” the show took a turn back into full-throttle with “Davey Jones Locker,” a raucous number with a heavy, driving beat and a darker tone that keeps with their fun signature sound. Pepper’s ability to seamlessly shift between upbeat tunes and more mellow grooves was on full display during “Rent,” followed by the sun-drenched “Never Ending Summer,” transporting the audience to the warm shores of Hawaii with its nostalgic lyrics and breezy sound. This night really felt like a “Best of” collection of songs from their now vast catalogue of songs reaching back to 2002.
“Dry Spell” kept the energy going while “Warning” really fired up everyone. I felt they did the Stick Figure part well as it became one of the biggest call and response sing along that night. Then came “Dancing on the Moon”, which I was excited to hear from their latest release “Makai”. Definitely an ear worm worth checking out. “Boot”, another high throttle energy song, brought things to another level with its funky bassline low low low low. “Love Affair” added some smooth, groovy textures to the night’s overall flow. “Are You Down” brought the show back to full-blown party mode, and “Tradewinds,” with its tropical reggae vibes, had the entire room getting their dance on. The energy remained at an all-time high with “Too Much,” which had fans singing every word back to the band. “Crazy Love” followed along with a drum solo (giving the rest of the band a water break), delivering an impressive solo that kept the crowd hyped and engaged. The night’s finale was capped off with “Stone Love,” dubbing it out a bit more than I’ve heard from them before which was a nice surprise. “Give It Up,” is always a highlight and is certainly one of the main tracks that pulled me in as a fan, of course also throwing in some funny dialogue about Wasserman sleeping with Bret’s dad (in a similar vein as Blink 182 likes to feature inappropriate banter). “Ashes” burned the place down at the end with their fans jumping and fist pumping their way through this signature track. Once the last note was played, the guys told the audience to call or email the people over at Levitate Music Fest to get them on the bill, which I’m really surprised they haven’t played yet (being surfers and having that Cali-Reggae sound). So, if you want to see these guys throw down again soon, let’s get cracking and pull some strings over there!
All in all, the night was a perfect example of what makes Pepper such a beloved live act: a dynamic, at times goofy show, full of infectious grooves, crowd interaction, and a celebration everything that makes reggae rock fun, and always ready to give the audience a good time. Whether you were there to dance, sing, or rock out, the band proved once again why they’re one of the most engaging acts on the scene today.
Photos – Pepper, Vana Liya at Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA on March 3rd:
