10 good reasons to worship PEPPER KEENAN
February 18, 2011
From time to time, I like to write an essay to praise an artist I really like, because it feels good (hey, it’s my blog) and it’s quite fun to read for those who also like the artist. This time it’s not really about a band or a solo act, it’s about a man the ordinary mortals don’t know much about. Ladies and gents, here’s for you the mighty PEPPER KEENAN and I’m gonna give you ten good reasons why you should know AND worship this legendary guitarist.
1. First of all, Pepper Keenan is the coolest name ever. It melts on the tongue, it’s Irish-sounding, so none can’t compete.
2. He used to be Corrosion Of Conformity’s lead singer and guitarist for years and has always been part of Down, the South’s most terrific criminal act ever (“I think Down is a bad ass fucking band with a bunch of rippin’ mutherfuckers in it and that is all I can tell you”). That’s what I call a stoner legend.
3. He gots gold fingers, his riffs are filled with heaviness and a recognizable swing, he knows how to bring a very metal but southern-typical color to any sound. And the man has no need to use both hands to make his sound sound “I live in New Orleans, Louisiana, I don’t live in f*cking Germany. I live in the South. I listen to Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers. I don’t need to double tap. I can do more with one note than most jerks can do with double tapping out their ass.“
4. Keenan’s influences are made of some country, some blues and a lot of Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Sabbath, and ZZ Top.
5….On top of that, he can sing! Warm harsh voice and Southern twang, lively flow, power. That’s what I’m talking about. He’s not your typical singer, he’s a revolutionary act, he’s fucking one of a kind.
Corrosion Of Conformity – Shelter
6. His beard is about to beat Kirk Windstein’s epic Beard Of Doom© and that’s no understatement!
7. He is way cooler than Fonzie, look: he’s got a bigger bike than yours!
8. As a genuine product from the South, Pepper can hold his booze, better than any attempted binge-freak metalhead. Talking about MASTODON Georgia metal kids during a post-show party : “they‘ll have to learn how to drink the hard way”. Fuck yay. I mean, who else can handle a whole interview while drunk in the middle of the afternoon, and make it epic as shit, if not PEP’ ? Proof below:
9. My man Pep is more than a highly-talented musician/writer/singer, he’s all fun and easy-going in person. Anyone who knows the existence of the Pep wants to share a beer and hang around with him.
10. He beat Jimmy “Bower Power” Bower at a metal blind test. And I’m sure he would even beat Chuck Norris at an epic ass-kicking contest.
11 (bonus). Pepper Keenan can wear an iron washboard that looks like an armor with titsand NEVER LOOK RIDICULOUS. And find it funny.
He’s God. He’s legend. ALL HAIL THE PEP.
