Sublime
Sublime
One band has given the word a greater meaning
“Lovin’ is what I got, I said remember that”. I can recall the first time I heard the words flow from the radio, a new type of sound I had never heard before. Unexposed to such music as ska and punk, this fresh mixture grasped my attention instantly. The song, What I Got, is from the notorious band Sublime, and their self titled major release in 1996. Tragically, Brad Nowell, the lead singer of Sublime, died of a heroine overdose just two months before the major label release. However, despite the loss of what some considered “the next Beatles”, the album went five times platinum and is considered one of the most influential albums in rock history.
If one were to look up the definition of sublime in the dictionary, they would see the following: empyreal: inspiring awe. These words alone can define the impact Sublime has had on 90s rock as well as youth culture. This is evident in the rapid success of the band. After Nowell’s death, not only did Sublime’s self titled album reach success, but previous albums became platinum, as well as posthumous releases of compilations and remixes. Many believe that Sublime “broke down musical and cultural barriers”, and gave listeners a chance to experience this fusion of alternative, ska, hip-hop, punk and reggae for the first time.
Originally an indie rock band unknown to the masses, Sublime began to make waves with experimental and adventurous beats and rhymes. Brad Nowell, seen as “the posthumous voice of the extreme generation”, created such original lyrics and lived out the lifestyle of a rock star who just didn’t seem to care, which attracted listeners who could see the forcefulness of his presence both on and off stage. However, the band’s second indie release in 1994, Robbin’ the Hood, was what caught the attention of major label executives, almost six years after the band originally formed. The re-release of this album launched the beginning of Sublime’s career, only to be cut short after their next release due to one of the factors that made Brad Nowell the original character he was.
Some of Sublime’s influences include Bob Marley, Run DMC, Circle Jerks, and the Selector. One can hear the colorful mosaic of musical tastes in Sublime’s self...