Sublime is an American rock band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988.
The band's original lineup consisted of Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Eric Wilson (bass), and Bud Gaugh (drums). Lou Dog, Nowell's dalmatian, was the mascot of the band. Nowell died of a heroin overdose 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.
Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums (one of which also contains never-before released material), three EPs, and one box set.
Although their first two albums40oz. to Freedom (1992) and Robbin' the Hood (1994)were slightly popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remained the band's only No. 1 hit single, until it was overtaken by "Santeria" (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about ten million in the U.S. alone. Michael "Miguel" Happoldt and Marshall "Ras MG" Goodman contributed to several Sublime songs.
In 2009, the surviving members attempted to reform the band with Rome Ramirez, a young guitarist and avowed Sublime fan from California. However, not long after performing at Cypress 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.
This prompted the lineup of Wilson, Gaugh and Ramirez to change their name to Sublime with Rome, which went on to release three albums, although Gaugh left the group shortly after the release of their 2011 debut Yours Truly.
In 2023, Gaugh rejoined Wilson and Bradley Nowell's son Jakob to reform Sublime, with Wilson subsequently announcing his departure from Sublime with Rome. Sublime with Rome is set to disband at the end of 2024, leaving only the original iteration of the band.
Members:
Eric Wilson
Bud Gaugh
Jakob Nowell
Past members:
Bradley Nowell
From: Long Beach, CA, USA
Genre(s):
Alternative,
Punk,
Ska,
Reggae,
Hip-Hop
Active From: 1988–1996,2009,2023–present
Associated Acts:
Eyes Adrift,
Long Beach Dub Allstars,
Long Beach Shortbus,
Sublime with Rome
Quotes: