Demo ’85
Artist: Pepper Gomez, Master Plan
Copyright: © 2026 Wake Up Music LLC | ℗ 1985 Master Plan, Pepper Gomez, Tom O’Callaghan
Tracklist & Song Descriptions
1. Pushin’ Too Hard

• Written / Adapted By: Master Plan (Pepper Gomez, Tom O’Callaghan)
• Description: A synth-funk rework of The Seeds’ 1968 classic hit, combining driving dance rhythms with Pepper Gomez’s vocal delivery and percussion work. Originally released through Columbia College’s student-run AEMMP Records in 1984.

2. Andrew

• Written By: Tom O’Callaghan & Pepper Gomez
• Themes & Meaning: A playful synth-pop track examining an obsessive connection to a companion named Andrew—touching on themes of affection, technology, and electronic rhythms.
• Excerpt:
  “Andrew – you’re so real to me, You’re all that I want you to be,
  I know I need you but it just can’t be true
  that I’m feeling what I feeling, I’m in love with you.”

3. Making Movies

• Written By: Tom O’Callaghan & Pepper Gomez
• Themes & Meaning: A critique and exploration of glamour, performance, and behind-the-scenes film sets, capturing the contrast between fame, fantasy, and the intense effort on camera.
• Excerpt:
  “Take one, take two, take three, take four and maybe you’ll be
  what they want you to be, making movies.”

4. Daydream

• Written By: Pepper Gomez & Tom O’Callaghan
• Themes & Meaning: An upbeat dance track detailing the disorientation and excitement of falling deeply in love, leaving the narrator feeling lost in a constant daze.
• Excerpt:
  “I’m in a daydream, I’m in a daze
  I’m in a daydream, I’m in a daze
  with no way out, with no way out”

5. Fanning the Flames

• Written By: Tom O’Callaghan & Pepper Gomez
• Themes & Meaning: An energetic anthem about relentless passion and emotional endurance, constantly reigniting the sparks of love despite recurring challenges.
• Excerpt:
  “And I’ll keep fanning the flames of love, fanning
  the flames of love, I’ll keep fanning the flames
  of love, fanning the flames…”

6. Electric Baile

• Written By: Pepper Gomez & Tom O’Callaghan
• Description: A multi-mix Chicago house and synth-funk track featuring bilingual elements (“baile” meaning dance in Spanish) that earned significant airplay across Chicago, Miami, New York, and Detroit dance floors.

About Master Plan & Pepper Gomez
Master Plan was the Chicago-based synth-funk and house music collaboration formed by vocalist/lyricist Pepper Gomez and multi-instrumentalist/composer Thomas O’Callaghan.
Pepper Gomez, a trilingual dancer, model, author, and graduate student, brought a diverse background to the group—including sitar study, classical/operatic voice training, jazz vocal improvisation, and poetry. Thomas O’Callaghan (formerly of the Midwest dance/funk band $8\frac{1}{2}$) composed and performed the instrumental synthesizer arrangements.
Creative Credits

• Vocals & Lyrics: Pepper Gomez
• Music & Composition: Thomas O’Callaghan & Pepper Gomez
• Photograph: Daniel D. Miller (Chicago, 1984)
• Photographic Concept, Costume Design & Make-up Design: Pepper Gomez
• Costume Construction, Styling & Make-up: Dawn Hurwitz and Leah Missbach (Studio Sew-Sew, Chicago)
• Logo Design: Kate T. Guerra (Saint Louis, Missouri)
• Special Thanks: Kate T. Guerra, Dan D. Miller, Michelle, Dale Roadcap, and Linda Mensch

Press & Reception
“Another budding success story can be found in Evanston synth-funksters Master Plan. Their multi-mix 12-inch of ‘Electric Baile’ … is moving decent numbers on the street-level Sunset label and getting serious hot mix exposure in major urban markets like Right Here, New York and Detroit.”
— Dance TRAX / The Dance Industry Report (1986)
“A Chicago band headed by 8½’s Tom O’Callaghan and vocalist Pepper Gomez… bringing songs in a synthesizer/dance music style, but with a human feel.”
— Illinois Entertainer (August 1984)