Sublime | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
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| Website | sublimelbc |
Sublime is an Americanskapunk band fromLong Beach, California. Founded in 1988,[1] the band's original lineup consisted ofBradley Nowell (vocals and guitar),Eric Wilson (bass), andBud Gaugh (drums). Lou Dog, Nowell'sdalmatian, was themascot of the band. Nowell died of aheroinoverdose in 1996, resulting in the band's breakup. In 1997, songs such as "What I Got", "Santeria", "Wrong Way", "Doin' Time", and "April 29, 1992 (Miami)" were released to U.S. radio.[2]
Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums, three EPs, and one box set. Although their first two albums—40oz. to Freedom (1992) andRobbin' the Hood (1994)—were slightly popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with theirself-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death. Peaking at No. 13 on theBillboard 200, it spawned the hit single "What I Got", which reached number one on theBillboardModern Rock Tracks chart. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide,[3] including about ten million in the U.S. alone.Michael "Miguel" Happoldt andMarshall "Ras MG" Goodman contributed to multiple Sublime songs.
In 2009, the surviving members attempted to reform the band withRome Ramirez, a young guitarist and avowed Sublime fan from California.[4][5] However, not long after performing atCypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name as they needed permission from Nowell's estate, which owns the rights to the Sublime name.[6] This prompted the lineup of Wilson, Gaugh, and Ramirez to change their name toSublime with Rome, which went on to release three albums, although Gaugh left the group shortly after the release of their 2011 debutYours Truly.
In 2023, Gaugh rejoined Wilson and Bradley Nowell's sonJakob to reform Sublime. With Wilson subsequently announcing his departure from Sublime with Rome, Sublime with Rome disbanded at the end of 2024.[7]
Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh were childhood friends. Having grown up in the same Long Beach neighborhood, Eric's father, Billy Wilson taught Gaugh how to read music and play the drums. Gaugh and Wilson, together with future Sublime managerMichael Happoldt, formed a three-piece punk band called The Juice Bros during their high school years. About this time, Bradley Nowell, who had recently dropped out of theUniversity of California, Santa Cruz, joined the band. Nowell helped introduce Gaugh and Wilson (who at the time listened exclusively topunk rock) toreggae andska.[8]
Sublime played its first gig onthe 4th of July, 1988 on the Long Beach Peninsula in Belmont Shore. Music venues were skeptical of the band's eclectic musical fusion and many refused to book the band. In response, the band created their own music label,Skunk Records, and told venues that they were "Skunk Records recording artists", which helped the band seem more accomplished and subsequently book more shows.[8] For the next several years, the group focused primarily on playing at parties and small clubs throughoutSouthern California with local ska bands such as Smokestacks,No Doubt, and Skeletones. The trio recorded a few songs and put forth a number of shortdemos.
In February 1990, Nowell adopted an abuseddalmatian puppy from a shelter and named him "Louie" after his grandfather.[9] Louie Nowell, King Louie, or "Lou Dog", as he was called, became something of a mascot for the band. Lou Dog was often allowed to wander around the stage during the band's concert performances.
One of Sublime's early club venues in 1990 was at a downtown club in Long Beach called Toe Jam. This club was owned and operated by David Rice, James Walker, Jason Burch, and Jeff King. A private party was held in February 1991 at Toe Jam for one of the owners. Special thanks can be found for Toe Jam and the owners on the back of the later produced album,40oz. to Freedom.
In late 1990, music studentMichael "Miguel" Happoldt approached the band, offering to let them record in the studio at the school where Happoldt was studying. The band enthusiastically agreed and trespassed into the school at night, where they recorded from midnight to seven in the morning.[9] The recording session resulted in the popular cassette tape calledJah Won't Pay the Bills, which was then released in 1991 and featured songs that would appear on the band's future albums. The tape helped the band gain a grassroots following throughout southern California.[9]
Eventually, Sublime developed a large following in California. After focusing on live shows, the band released40oz. to Freedom in 1992 under Nowell's label,Skunk Records. The record established Sublime's blend ofska,reggae,punk,surf rock, andhip hop, and helped to further strengthen the group's growing California following. Initially being sold exclusively at their live shows, the album became widely known in thegreater Los Angeles area after rock radio stationKROQ began playing the song "Date Rape". By 1996,40oz. to Freedom had sold more than 209,000 units, beating the future self-titled album's running total of 145,000 unit sales.[10]
In 1992/1993, Sublime was briefly signed to Danny Holloway's True Sound imprint.[2] However, the band stayed on Skunk Records. In June 1994, they were signed to the label Gasoline Alley ofMCA Records by Jon Phillips who subsequently became Sublime's manager. Sublime released their second albumRobbin' the Hood in 1994, an experimental effort with its diffuse mixture of rock, rap,spoken-word nonsense, and folk-leaning acoustic home recordings.Robbin' the Hood was a commercial failure. The band toured extensively throughout 1994–1995, their popularity increasing gradually beyond the West Coast as "Date Rape" began earning radio play. In 1995, the band co-headlined the inaugural nationwideVans Warped Tour. The band was eventually asked to leave the tour for a week due to unruly behavior of Sublime guests and Lou Dog biting four different individuals.[11] Gaugh reflected on the experience: "Basically, our daily regimen was wake up, drink, drink more, play, and then drink a lot more. We'd call people names. Nobody got our sense of humor. Then we brought the dog out and he bit a few skaters, and that was the last straw."[8] After the Warped Tour and the subsequent Three Ring Circus Tour, the band was pressured to begin producing new studio material as a follow-up toRobbin' the Hood.
In early 1996, Sublime headlined the firstSnoCore Tour. In February, they began recording what would comprise the band'sself-titled third record and their major label debut album. Sublime completed it before Nowell died of aheroin overdose on May 25, 1996, at a motel in San Francisco, California,[12] the day after their last live show in Petaluma, California (May 24, 1996), and two months prior to the release of the self-titled album. Nowell was found dead at 11:30 a.m. in a motel room after a night of partying. He was 28 years old.[13] Some Sublime fans were not aware of Nowell's death[14] when the self-titled album became a huge success, including the single "What I Got", which peaked at number one on the Modern Rock chart.[15] The album earned the band worldwide fame, and was certified 5× platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in December 1999.[16] In addition to "What I Got", the album included several other popular posthumous singles, including "Santeria", "Doin' Time", "Wrong Way", and "April 29, 1992 (Miami)", all of which received heavy airplay.
Jason Westfall, one of Sublime's managers, was quoted as saying that the surviving members of the band would not continue to perform and record under the "Sublime" name: "Just likeNirvana, Sublime died when Brad died."[17][18][19]
A number of posthumous releases followed, among themSecond-Hand Smoke in 1997 and bothStand by Your Van andSublime Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends in 1998.[2]Second-Hand Smoke, produced by Michael "Miguel" Happoldt, is described as an "assemblage of leftovers, remixes and rarities" that hints at possible musical directions Sublime may have pursued if Nowell had not died.[20] By the release of theirGreatest Hits compilation in 1999, the band had released as many albums after Nowell's death as during his lifetime.[21] A box set of demos, rarities, and live recordings, entitledEverything Under the Sun, was released on November 14, 2006.[22] The band later released several vinyl picture discs including40 Oz. To Freedom,Second-Hand Smoke, andStand By Your Van. On June 16, 2012, the group reunited to give a show at the D-Tox Rockfest inMontebello, Quebec (under theSublime with Rome moniker).
Nowell's widow, Troy Holmes Nowell, has negotiated with the band's record label and entertainmentimpresario Paul Ruffino to produce a documentary film about Sublime's successful association with Brad Nowell; the project was delayed until Mr. Nowell's estate could be settled.
In October 1997, Troy and singerCourtney Love collaborated with the advocacy groupPartnership for a Drug-Free America on a series of public service announcements for television intended to de-glamorize drug use and help disassociate it from the music industry.[23]
Following Sublime's dissolution, former members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh founded theLong Beach Dub Allstars in 1997, which also included many frequent Sublime contributors such as Michael "Miguel" Happoldt (former member ofThe Ziggens),Marshall Goodman "Ras MG" (former Sublime member), andTodd Forman (3rd Alley). LBDAS disbanded in 2002, due to several members of the band breaking a no-drug vow they had taken.
Bud Gaugh joined the short-livedEyes Adrift, asupergroup consisting of Bud on drums,Krist Novoselic (of Nirvana) on bass, andCurt Kirkwood (of theMeat Puppets) on guitar and lead vocals. On September 24, 2002, Eyes Adrift released their only album, a self-titled LP consisting of 12 songs. They released one single from the CD, entitled "Alaska".
In 2005,No Doubt bassistTony Kanal, who had performed with the group, recollected on their career, saying "They made a sound that somehow fused rock, reggae, punk and hip-hop in a way that was seamless and credible, bound together by the undeniable soul of Brad Nowell's voice." He was joined by other members of bands that had performed with Sublime, such asPennywise, punk progenitorMike Watt, Philadelphia neo-bluesmanG Love, Hawai'i beachcomberJack Johnson, Latin-rock eclecticistsOzomatli, and progressive hip-hop figuresMichael Franti andGift of Gab on "Look at All the Love We Found: A Tribute to Sublime," to donate money to help support artists with substance abuse problems.[24]
On June 5, 2013, it was announced that Sublime would be celebrating the 25th anniversary of their first show (which happened on July 4, 1988) with the release of their first live album/concert film. The album, titled3 Ring Circus - Live at The Palace, features footage recorded at a 1995 show in Hollywood and was released on June 18, 2013. The deluxe version features extras including a poster, backstage pass and a separate concert film of the band's performance recorded in 1995 at the Las Palmas Theatre.[25]
In August 2021, Sublime announced a special limited 25th anniversary editioncassette tape of their third (and final) acclaimed self-titled album. Cassettes were released on October 1, 2021, and include classics like "Santeria", "What I Got", "Doin' Time", and "Wrong Way".[26][27]
Also in 2021, Sublime created a remix project, Sublime Meets Scientist & Mad Professor Inna L.B.C., which was released digitally on June 12. The new collection of eight Sublime songs were remixed bydub musiciansScientist andMad Professor. The album was initially released on a limited-edition CD forRecord Store Day byGeffen Records.[28] The record version features a yellow vinyl pressing and both versions feature artwork byTony McDermott, whose illustrations have graced albums by artists fromEek-A-Mouse,Shabba Ranks, andShaggy. Another version is available digitally and includes two bonus tracks, "Garden Grove Vocal Dub (Scientist Mix)" and "Hong Kong Phooey Dub (Mad Professor Mix)" that were not included on the Record Store Day Vinyl LP and is only available on the limited-edition Record Store Day CD release.[29]
On April 21, 2023, one day after4/20, Surfdog Records released$5 at the Door: Live at Tressel Tavern, 1994 and the band officially licensed a new line of cannabis products licensed by Sublime called REEFERS. The album was from a 1994 show at Tressel Tavern inEverett, Washington, which had been bootlegged many times in the past under the nameMemories.[30]
On December 11, 2023, Wilson and Gaugh reunited to perform withJakob Nowell as Sublime during a benefit show forBad Brains vocalistH.R. at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles.[31] On January 16, 2024, Sublime was revealed to be a part of the lineup for the 2024Coachella Festival with Jakob Nowell becoming a full-time member of the band. In a press release, the band also confirmed that they would be performing at "additional music festivals" in 2024.[32] In May 2024, the reformed Sublime released the single "Feel Like That," featuring roots reggae groupStick Figure.[33] Sublime with Rome disbanded at the end of 2024.
In March 2025, Sublime announced that they were working on a new album withTravis Barker andJohn Feldmann – the band's first studio album since their eponymous album in 1996.[34] On July 18, the band released the song "Ensenada" as the first single from their upcoming fourth album.[35]
Sublime was one of the most popular bands of thethird wave of ska, specifically characterized asska punk.[36][37][38] Sublime often combinedpunk rock andhardcore punk withhip hop,heavy metal,dancehall,reggae,ska,funk, andsurf music.[39][40][41] Sublime also has been described asreggae rock.[42]
Bob Marley and associated Jamaican reggae artistsThe Wailers andPeter Tosh feature prominently in Sublime's songs, as do other Jamaican reggae anddancehall artists such asBorn Jamericans,Toots & the Maytals,The Melodians,Wayne Smith,Tenor Saw,Frankie Paul,The Wailing Souls,Barrington Levy,Half Pint, andYellowman. The band additionally covered "Smoke Two Joints" originally by Oregon-based reggae groupThe Toyes.[43]
Sublime was also heavily influenced by the 1980s and 1990s hip-hop and rap scene ofLos Angeles andNew York City, alluding to or borrowing from such acts asN.W.A,Beastie Boys,Just-Ice,Public Enemy,Doug E. Fresh,Too $hort, andMobb Deep, as well as the Philadelphia-based rapperSteady B andTexas hip-hop group theGeto Boys.[43]
The southern Californiametal,surf rock, andpunk scene influencing Sublime includesBig Drill Car (who were thanked in the first two albums),The Ziggens,Minutemen,Descendents,Bad Religion,The Bel-Airs,Butthole Surfers, andSecret Hate, as well as new wave/fusion bandFishbone. Sublime was also influenced by Washington, D.C. hardcore acts such asMinor Threat,Fugazi (who were also thanked in the first album), andBad Brains. The band also referenced popular West Coast rock bands and artists likeGrateful Dead,The Doors,Jimi Hendrix,Red Hot Chili Peppers, sixties underground and counter-culture iconFrank Zappa, and even Swedish pop bandABBA.[43]
A few references are made tofunk,R&B, andsoul artists and bands such asJames Brown, theOhio Players, andAswad, as well as a smattering of Irish, Scottish, and English bands likeBoomtown Rats, the ska bandThe Specials, andPrimal Scream.
Sublime's music was highlighted by bass-driven grooves, reggae rhythms, elaborately cadenced rhyme schemes, and transitions between paces and styles throughout a given song, sometimes alternating between thrash punk, ska, and reggae within the same song (see "Seed"). Their music often contains psychedelic, harmonic minor-based orbluesy guitar solos, rhythmically improvised bass solos or dub-lines,turntable scratching, rolling drum transitions, and heavy bass lines. They are known for being one of the first and most influentialreggae fusion bands.
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With the mainstream success of their self-titled album, going five times platinum and earning worldwide airplay, Sublime's influence persists to this day.[44]
Their signature sound and their songs are often associated with the beach and coastal areas ofSouthern California, such asSan Diego,Orange County,Venice Beach, andLong Beach as well as areas ofNorthern California likeEureka. Over two decades after Nowell's death and the band's breakup, Sublime remains immensely popular throughoutNorth America, especially in its state of origin, California.
Sublime's songs have been featured via soundtrack in a variety of media. Los Angelesalternative rock radio stationKROQ has listed Sublime at No. 3 in their annual "Top 106.7 biggest KROQ bands of all time" list for the past six years in a row,[45] behindRed Hot Chili Peppers andNirvana,[46] and No. 81 at the "Top 166 Artists of 1980–2008" list.[47]
With over 17 million units sold worldwide, Sublime is one of the most successful ska-punk acts of all time, influencing many modern reggae and ska acts.[48][49]
A tribute band known asBadfish, after one of their songs, was formed.[50] Badfish actively tours today.[51]
In 2019 a documentary ("Sublime") was released that chronicles the band's history and legacy.[52]Lana Del Rey created a cover of "Doin Time" for the documentary's soundtrack, boosting the band's name recognition for the younger generation.[53] The music video has over 160 million views on YouTube.
In March 2017, for the 25th anniversary of their seminal debut album40oz. to Freedom, Sublime announced that they teamed up withAleSmith Brewing Company to release a Mexican-style lager initially dubbed "40oz. to Freedom". A limited edition of the batch of beer was bottled in 40-ounce containers and sold through the San Diego brewery.[54] The entire run of 40-ounce bottles sold out in five minutes. The cans, which feature Sublime's trademark sun design created by artistOpie Ortiz, were headed toward 19 states as of September 14, 2017. AleSmith was on pace to ship 3,400 barrels of the beer (renamed to Sublime Mexican Lager) by December 31, which is 8.5% of AleSmith's 40,000 barrels of total production for 2017.[55]
In 2017, Brad's sister Kellie Nowell, along with her father Jim "Papa" Nowell, started the Nowell Family Foundation and Bradley's House, a drug treatment facility focused on musicians in recovery. Their message is "If there's a will, there's a way out."[56] The foundation's goal is to have a six-bedroom house as a rehab facility inLaguna Beach, California, that will "supply an affordable 90-day program that pairs music-based social curriculum with help from certified drug treatment professionals along with on-siteyoga and a gym."
As the foundation's executive director, Kellie worked to turn the project into a reality by hiring certified staff and developing new rehabilitation programs. Many musicians and bands includingPepper,O.A.R. and Jim Lindburg ofPennywise who were close to Bradley or were inspired by his music chipped in with benefit concerts.
On September 4, 2020, a compilation album of Sublime cover songs,The House That Bradley Built, was released on Pepper's label, LAW Records. The compilation was to help raise money for the Nowell Family Foundation'sopioid recovery project for Bradley's House. The idea for the compilation was by LAW Records co-founders, Paul Milbury and Yesod Williams (drummer for Pepper), who both came to Kellie with the idea. The compilation featured never-before-released acoustic covers from the catalogue of Bradley's band, Sublime, performed by 20-plus punk and reggae bands.
Also in 2020, Sublime teamed up withZ2 Comics to create "The Official Sublimegraphic novel" called "$5.00 at the Door". It comes in hardcover or softcover with an exclusive picture disc vinyl, limited edition Lou Dog vinyl figure, and more through three different bundles. The comic is a "heartfelt anthology of Sublime legends brought to life" from playing backyard parties and selling cassette tapes out of their van to a platinum-selling multi-genre busting band. It was written by Ryan Cady (fromGreen Lantern comic) with illustrations by Audrey Mok, Alex Diotto, Hayden Sherman, Logan Faeber, Bill Masuku, Robert Ahmad, and Julianne Griep. "Featuring brand-new cover artwork by Sublime family members Opie Ortiz and DJ Product ©1969!"[57]
In October 2021, Sublime collaborated withTempe, Arizona's Dixxon Flannel Company on a Sublimeflannel shirt. To celebrate 30 years of the band'sEP,Jah Won't Pay the Bills, the "Sublime Flannel" features a gray, black, and green plaid pattern.[58]
In September 2022, it was reported that abiographical film about the band is in development bySony Pictures withFrancis Lawrence attached as director and Chris Mundy as screenwriter.[59] In September 2024, it was announced thatKJ Apa was cast to play frontman Bradley Nowell andJustin Chon is going to direct and co-write the film.[60]
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