Reggae-splash band Pepper is touring once again with 311 on "The Unity Tour."
This time the tour includes punk band the Offspring.
Pepper drummer Yesod Williams said it's always fun jumping on tour.
"They call it 'The Unity Tour' for a reason," Williams said during a phone call from Virginia Beach, Va. "(311) really builds a good family vibe.
"Everyone hangs out together. It's not like we're off doing our own trip. (The tour) is treated like a big summer camp barbecue."
When the members of Pepper heard the Offspring would be on the tour, it upped the ante.
"We've been listening to them since we were teenagers," said Williams, who cited Led Zeppelin and his parents as his first musical influences. "Those guys are legends as far their genre goes.
"It's been fun hanging out with them. It's been a pleasure."
Williams, bassist Bret Bollinger and guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wasman have been busy in the studio recording a new album.
"The release date is still to be announced," Williams said about the album. "It's going to be self-titled."
That's contrary to what's been circulating on the internet, Williams said.
"We've heard a couple of random (album titles)," he said. "There is some messed up information on Wikipedia and sites like that. We do know the album will be released in the near future."
Meanwhile, Pepper is releasing its new single "Wake Up" as an download on iTunes on July 20, Williams said. "When you download it, you will get another song from free. So it's a two-for-one."
In the past couple of years, Pepper build its own studio in Southern California, which makes it easier for the band to record music whenever the band members want.
"We've been wanting to record, but not just for the fact to record new music for a CD, but to also have new music to play live," Williams said. "It's always exciting and it injects new life into the live show and into the band in general."
New life is important for Pepper, which has been a band for more than 12 years.
"It's crazy," Williams said. "It definitely doesn't feel like we've been together for as long as we have. But that's a good thing."
Looking down the road, Williams said Pepper will continue to make music and record, but will also be looking to sign new bands to its own label Law Records.
"The label was originally formed by my dad in the '80s," Williams said. "We picked it up in the early 2000s, but didn't get really active with it until the last three years. And it's nice to have it. We can make music and release it when we want to."
If you go
What: The Unity Tour with 311, the Offspring and Pepper
Where: USANA Amphitheatre, 5150 S. 6055 West
When: July 21, 6:30 p.m.
How much: $47
Phone: 801-467-8499, 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
e-mail: scott@desnews.com