Sublime

Sublime, the iconic band from Long Beach, California, is the essence of SoCal ska-punk reggae rock. Formed in 1988, the original lineup included frontman Bradley Nowell on vocals and guitar, Eric Wilson on bass, Bud Gaugh on drums, and Bradley’s dalmatian Lou Dog as mascot. The band released three seminal albums—40oz. to Freedom (1992), Robbin’ the Hood (1994), and Sublime (1996)—with the self-titled LP reaching No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and spawning the No. 1 hit “What I Got.” Tragically, Bradley passed away at just 28 on May 25, 1996, from a heroin overdose, leaving a lasting legacy of music that still dominates playlists, parties, and airwaves decades later with classics like “Santeria,” “Doin’ Time,” “Badfish,” and “Wrong Way.” Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh carried the sound forward with the Long Beach Dub Allstars before reuniting in 2009 with Rome Ramirez as Sublime with Rome, performing the band’s songs and releasing new material inspired by Bradley’s vision. Now, the arrival of Bradley’s son Jakob Nowell as a frontman marks a new chapter, bringing a voice and cadence reminiscent of his father. The group’s collaboration with Stick Figure on “Feel Like That,” a reimagined track based on a freestyle by Bradley featuring Jakob and Scott Woodruff, has reinvigorated fans and cemented Sublime’s enduring influence, honoring the original music while creating fresh anthems for a new generation.