Electro-Punk Pioneer Peter Pepper on Touring, Creative Risk, and Finding a New Life in Tokyo

In this B-side episode, host Jesse Jackson talks with electro-punk pioneer Peter Pepper, calling from Shibuya, Tokyo, about growing up in rural Florida feeling alienated, discovering punk and industrial music, and channeling creativity through early audio editing into a music career. Peter shares how playing the State Theatre in St. Petersburg became a breakthrough moment, how “electro-punk” emerged organically around 1999–2001, and stories from touring, including Asbury Park’s Stone Pony in 2001 and a later tour moment with Wes Borland. They discuss the realities of life on the road, modern pressures of permanent online records, and how a friend’s recommendation led Peter to build a life between Japan and Bali. Peter previews his May 20 release “We’re From Florida” and a forthcoming blues project, then answers Jesse’s “Mary question” about Thunder Road.

https://www.peterpepper.net/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PWK1iZunlFBPGG5CMpMh0?si=b9tXZRimTXqSUIeILG5Crg

00:00 B-Side Welcome

00:49 Meet Peter Pepper

02:00 Florida Roots

04:01 Finding Punk Scene

05:37 Outsider Identity

12:43 Creative Awakening

15:08 Learning By Doing

18:37 Creating In Public

22:40 First Big Break

27:18 Electro Punk Origins

29:50 Building Electro Punk

32:37 Labels And Movements

33:45 Stone Pony Ghost Town

38:44 Wes Borland Moment

41:21 Tour Life Offstage

44:03 Why Japan Became Home

48:28 New Music Plans

50:29 Thunder Road Mary Question

52:44 Goodbyes And Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices