Sublime was a ska-punk band that formed out of Long Beach, Calif. in 1988. Laced with rock, reggae and hip hop influences, Sublime fronted the revolution from classic rock to alternative forms of rock and hip hop.
Composed of Bradley Nowell (lead singer and guitarist), Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (percussion), the band thrived until Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996.
Following Nowell’s death, manager Jason Westfall announced that the remaining band members were no longer interested in performing under the name Sublime.
Wilson and Gaugh now perform with Rome Ramirez, singer, guitarist and former Sublime fan, under the name Sublime with Rome. Sublime with Rome released one studio album, Yours Truly, this year and has toured several times since 2009. The recent 15th anniversary of Nowell’s death warrants recognition of Sublime’s finest work during his lifetime.
40oz. To Freedom (1992)
40oz. to Freedom was released in June of 1992 and gained Sublime their ska-reggae reputation.
Ska is a musical genre that originated in Jamaica after World War II when Jamaicans first had access to rhythm and blues. Jamaican artists began experimenting with what they heard and eventually came up with ska.
This record established Sublime’s blend of reggae, punk, surf-rock and hip hop and helped the band establish a fan base.
The album provides a fusion of genres for a unique listening experience. In “We’re Only Gonna Die for Our Arrogance”, you get the band’s punk vibe and next in “Don’t Push”, you get the whole blend of reggae, ska and hip hop.
40oz. to Freedom provides small jams, as well. Sublime covers “Scarlet Begonias,” originally by Grateful Dead. Sublime’s cover brings a new reggae feel to the jam.
This album revolutionized the US reggae scene, as it was the first “big” reggae album not released from Jamaica.
Sublime’s inaugural album not only revolutionized the reggae and ska genres, but it’s sure to put a smile on your face when you listen to it.
Sublime (1996)
Sublime, the last of Sublime’s studio albums, is effective in combining the mellow ska-reggae feel of 40oz. to Freedom with the garage-punk feel of Robbin’ the Hood (1994), resulting in an album fully displaying the energy and diversity of Sublime.
Though Sublime is a staple in the “stoner-band” category, their informality is effective in storytelling. In songs like “Get Ready”, Sublime’s message to resist authority and have fun really seeps through. At a time filled with Los Angeles riots and a growing rebellious youth, Sublime embodied the youth culture of the time.
“Santeria”, the story of taking revenge on the man who stole Nowell’s girlfriend, and “What I Got”, where Nowell reflects on his life, were huge commercial successes. In fact, “What I Got” was labeled by The Rolling Stone as one of the top 100 guitar songs of all time.
As Sublime plays out, it is evident that the tracks influenced by Sublime’s ska-reggae background are much better than their punk. “Paddle Out”, the album’s shortest track, is loud, hasty, frantic and could have easily been done without.
Calling Sublime Sublime’s greatest album is a stretch; 40oz. to Freedom is a near-masterpiece, with a sound that suits Sublime perfectly. However, Sublime is a fantastic album, combining their ‘fight the power’ attitude with their laid-back style. The result? An unforgettable classic, closing the books for a great band of all time.
