Pepper J. Keenan, (born May 8, 1967), is the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Heavy metal band Corrosion of Conformity. He also plays guitar for the band Down, alongside Crowbar vocalist/guitarist Kirk Windstein and former Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown. Keenan joined Corrosion of Conformity in 1990, but he did not become the lead singer until the recording of Deliverance which was released in 1994. (although he sang lead on the track "Vote With A Bullet") on Blind.

Keenan was born in Oxford, Mississippi but now lives in New Orleans, where he owns a bar named "Le Bon Temps Roule." His father, a former musician, is a local real estate appraiser in New Orleans. While developing his playing style in New Orleans, Pepper served as a member of local band Graveyard Rodeo, and met and became friendly with Corrosion of Conformity during their frequent shows at the infamous Franklin Avenue VFW Hall in New Orleans.

He plays guitar and sings a part of the second verse on Metallica's cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Tuesday's Gone". He also recorded a number of other songs in the same session, but this was the only one given a general release (on the album Garage Inc.), the others only being available as bootlegs. Keenan is good friends with lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield. Hetfield provided backing vocals on "Man or Ash" from Corrosion of Conformity's Wiseblood album. Keenan auditioned for Metallica's vacant bass player position following Jason Newsted's departure from the band but lost out to former Suicidal Tendencies/Ozzy Osbourne bassist Robert Trujillo. Keenan's audition is shown in the Metallica documentary Some Kind of Monster.In addition to his contribution to the song 'Tuesdays Gone' Pepper also appeared with Metallica onstage at the Download Festival in Donington, England in 2006 along with Matt Heafy of Trivium to provide additional vocals on the song "Die, Die My Darling." This song was played at the end of Metallica's headlining set and also appears on the album 'Garage Inc'.

Down released their third album entitled Down III: Over the Under on September 25, 2007.

Equipment

Guitars

• ESP Custom Shop Vipers
• ESP Custom Shop Baritone Viper
• Gibson ES-335
• Gibson Firebird Custom (Download Festival 2009)
• Gibson SG
• Gibson Les Paul Gold Top (2008 Down Tour)
• Fender Stratocaster (1998 With COC)
• Fender Telecaster (used in Stone The Crow Music Video)

Pedalboard

• Sony wireless system
• Electro Harmonix POG
• Electro Harmonix Big Muff
• Electro Harmonix Holy Grail
• Electro Harmonix Small Stone
• Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer
• Custom Audio Electronics RS-10
• CAE midi Controller
• Rocktron Intellifex Multieffect
• MXR Phase 90
• MXR Stereo Flanger
• MXR 10 band Equalizer
• T-Rex Delay
• Boss OD-1
• Korg Tuner Pedal
• Dunlop Crybaby
• Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2

Amplifiers

• Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber Heads
• Mesa Boogie 4x12 Cabinets
• Marshall JCM800 2203 Heads
• Marshall 4x12 Cabinets
• Orange Rockverb Head (Download Festival 2009/2009 Tour)

Discography

Corrosion Of Conformity albums

Date of Release	Title	Label	Chart positions	US sales
January 17, 1991	Blind	Relativity Records
November 27, 1994	Deliverance	Columbia Records	155
October 12, 1996	Wiseblood		104
October 10, 2000	America's Volume Dealer (Available as Dualdisc)	Sanctuary Records
August 7, 2001	Live Volume CD, DVD and DVDA
April 5, 2005	In the Arms of God		108

Down albums

Date of Release	Title	Label	US Billboard Peak	US sales
September 19, 1995	NOLA	Elektra	57
March 26, 2002	Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow		44
September 25, 2007	Down III: Over the Under	Warner Bros. Records	26
2010	Down IV

External links

• Corrosion of Conformity Official website
• Gallery of Pepper Keenan with Corrosion of Conformity on Alberta Stars
• Roughedge.com interview with Pepper on the Down tour
• Backstage audio interview with Pepper Keenan on 3RRR FM