Sublime (band)

Sublime
Floyd "Bud" Gaugh, Eric Wilson, and Bradley Nowell in a 1994 promotional picture
Background information
Origin	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Genres	Ska punk reggae rock
Years active	1988–1996 2009 2023–present
Labels	MCA Skunk
Spinoffs	Eyes Adrift Long Beach Dub Allstars Long Beach Shortbus Sublime with Rome
Members	Eric Wilson Bud Gaugh Jakob Nowell
Past members	Bradley Nowell
Website	sublimelbc.com

Sublime is an American rock band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988.^[1] 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.^[2]

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 albums—40oz. 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. Peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, it 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). 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 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.^[4][5] 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.^[6] 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 by the end of 2024.^[7]