Track listing: Long Game
A straight-ahead no-nonsense rocker: that's what Pepper and the Scoville Scale's latest single "Long Game" is all about. It's got the panache of Pink, the poppiness of Josie & the Pussycats, with the edge of Matthew Sweet's catchier fare a la "Girlfriend." Fronted by vocalist Pepper Diaz, she and the rest of her Scoville Scale (the measuring criteria of chili peppers' spiciness, recorded in Scoville heat units (SHU)) are heating up Hawaii's pop music scene.
Though still in her teens, Pepper has been writing music for over a decade--melodies and arrangements seemingly flowing from her mind. Working closely with her guitarist Mason Bundschuh, the duo manifest those ideas into the group's original repertoire. Filled out by bassist Kyle Laborte and drummer Chris Brooke, Pepper and the Scoville Scale stay busy putting in the work performing around the islands at venues including Paniolo. Additionally, Pepper has cut her teeth playing at world renowned venues including Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room in Los Angeles, as well as Liverpool's historic Cavern Club. And through opportunities like Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp, she's performed with big timers including drummers Stewart Copeland (The Police) and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), guitarist Nancy Wilson (Heart), bassist Michael Anthony (Van Halen), and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row). Pepper has also collaborated with former Plush guitarist Bella Perron on the track “When You’re Mad.”
"Long Game" itself represents a pretty true-to-form Pop arrangement, complete with a drum / muted guitar / vocal breakdown in the vein of Kelly Clarkson's classic "Since You've Been Gone." The mix is clear and bright, the instrumentation stock Rock, and Pepper's lyrics delightfully wistful and filled with yearning. She's got a lilt in her voice that allows it to dance lightly and elegantly atop the crunchy distortion of the rhythm guitar.
Newly signed to Young Outlaw Music, Pepper and the band are currently remixing music with legendary producer Mr. Mig, working toward an eventual full length album release. Give Pepper and the Scoville Scale a follow across all the major social and streaming platforms, and keep an eye out for the follow-up to "Long Game," undoubtedly hitting the airwaves soon.