Pepper gets key label aid
IT'S NICE TO see the guys from
Pepper getting some major label love as they approach the release date for "No Shame."
The new album is due out Oct. 3, but fans already have a couple of ways to hear new tracks, courtesy of Atlantic Records' promotional efforts. T-Mobile customers are currently able to select the song "No Control" as a custom ringback (people hear the music clip instead of traditional ringing when they call), and two new songs are being leaked each day via the band's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/ pepperlive).
Unfortunately for everyone on Oahu, the "official" release party is scheduled to take place in Long Beach, Calif., but Big Island supporters have a chance to show some love a few days later. The guys will be signing autographs at Borders Kailua-Kona on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. ...
FOLLOWING UP on last year's performance at Jack Johnson's "Kokua Festival," Los Angeles-based rockers Ozomatli return to Hawaii for three shows next month on Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
With a new album, "Don't Mess with the Dragon," due out early next year, the Oct. 12 concert at Aloha Tower Marketplace will undoubtedly provide fans with a sneak preview of some new material. They'll follow up on Oct. 13 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center and Oct. 14 at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Presale tickets are available online at www.ticketweb.com, or call (866) 468-3399 ...
TICKETS ALSO go on sale Saturday for "Bomb Birthday VI," an annual celebration hosted by radio station 102.7 Da Bomb.
In traditional radio fashion, the station is drawing out the suspense when it comes to who will be performing Oct. 28 at Pipeline Cafe. As of yesterday, the only confirmed artist is Brooke Hogan, who will be accompanied by her famous father, former WWE champ Hulk Hogan.
Full disclosure: After three years off the air, I returned to a gig in radio doing weekends on Da Bomb back in April ...
CONGRATS TO Sarah Squires and Lauren Rush, the top two finishers at Saturday's Miss Hawaiian Tropic Hawaii qualifier. They're spending the week at the Turtle Bay Hilton, competing in the national pageant that started yesterday.
Another contestant, Cristine Chang, was selected Miss Hawaiian Tropic Asian-American and also received an invitation to compete at Turtle Bay ...