PEPPERKID2 (Jem Davis & Steve Overland of FM) – Adventures In Pepperland (2021)
There’s a new kid in town: ‘Pepperkid2’ – the bright, new brainchild of FM’s creative keyboardist Jem Davis. ‘PEPPERKID2’ is the guise Jem has adopted for his solo album project: an album entitled ‘Adventures in Pepperland’, including Davis’ own songs that didn’t fit the FM vibe.
For this varied, eclectic adventure he’s not alone: FM bandmates Steve Overland perform vocals and Jim Kirkpatrik guitar, there’s as well lead vocals by Mike Dyer (Grand Slam) and female singer/coach Hayley Simone, talented Laurence Archer (UFO) and Nigel Spennewyn (Joe Cocker) providing guitar magic, and more.
Being a keyboardist album expect a lot of keys, synths, pianos, moog etc all over, however this is a song format album, with a wide array of influences from Beatles or ELO to Cats In Space, 10cc and many more.
Jem designed this album to be what he calls, “genre-fluid”. It certainly escapes pigeonholing and offers listeners a rich, varied, joyful experience: a Peppery smorgasbord of treats, you might say.
“In the Summer of 2020, during Lockdown,” Jem reflects, “I moved to a cottage near Lutterworth that came with amazing ready-built studio. Naming it ‘Electric Pepperland’, I immersed myself into my music, writing whatever inspired me.”
“It soon became clear that there were many songs that didn’t fit the FM vibe and I needed to get them out there somehow, so under the guise of a project I called ‘Pepperkid2’ I set to work!”
“Not being gifted in the vocal department, I asked my good friend Mike Dyer (Grand Slam) to be the main vocalist/co-writer, which he kindly accepted.”
Jem drew inspiration from the diversity, creative fun from many of his favorite artists like Jellyfish, The Beatles, and Small Faces for the opening track “Pepperland”. Here, Dyer’s vocals bring to mind the amazing, there’s lush backing vocals and a cool guitar solo.
‘Otherside’, which follows it, however, has a very different sound, kinda a down on the road type of song.
‘London Bound’ brings yet another feel to the party, with a breathy rhythm with cycling guitar, nice background vocals, strong lead 2 part vocal. We find a swirling organ solo too.
“Finding My Way” has reflective lyrics, with a different vibe again including drum loops, gospel-like vocals from Hayley Simone thoroughout, and a mellow Hammond Solo set the scene.
Move on to ‘Voodoo’ and you’ll find driving percussion, mesmeric synthwork and vocal and layered instrumental hooks that place you under the spell of this near-seven-minute-musical piece of sorcery. There’s a very good talk-box solo from Nigel Spennewyn on this!
We have a more rocking number in ‘Fire Me Up’, a Hammond riff driven track with a great edgy vocal from Mike. Davis said he initially would get a Guitarist to do the solo, but then thought ‘Hell, this is my album, so I launched into a Moog-tastic flurry.
‘After the Rain’ is awash in rock energy, powerful vocals and a storming guitar solo: old friend from UFO/Grand Slam Mr. Laurence Archer drops a terrific one.
‘Fools Lullaby’ is another left turn musically, going down the Eagles ballad route. And Steve Overland shines on lead vocals, on this slow tune mostly sone in piano. A favorite. “Breath of Life” musically it sums up everything about Jem Davis influences; the whole piece builds perfectly, Dyer’s vocals on this capture the feelings at the time “Helpless in our Lockdown State of Mind”, and Nigel Spennewyn’s solo adds drama to this profund song.
You’ll certainly get your money’s worth with this album, both from the strength and quality of the individual tracks and the musical diversity you’ll find in the playlist. Not to mention the great replay value as you’re sure to find favourites you’ll listen to over and over again.
The album follows no genre restrictions so the styles are varied but all come from the mind and from the heart of Jem Davis, a talented musician you need to listen to.
Highly Recommended
01 – Pepperland
02 – The Otherside
03 – London Bound?
04 – Finding My Way
05 – Voodoo
06 – Fire Me Up
07 – After the Rain
08 – Behind the Glass
09 – Fools Lullaby
10 – Allow to Let Go
11 – Breath of Life
12 – Something Gotta Give
Jem Davis – keyboards, synths, Hammond, programming
Mike Dyer (Grand Slam) – vocals
Steve Overland (FM) – vocals
Hayley Simone – vocals
Laurence Archer (UFO) – guitar
Jim Kirkpatrik (FM) – guitar
Nigel Spennewyn (Joe Cocker) – guitar
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Pepperland-Pepperkid2-Jem-Davis/dp/B09M4YJPYW
