AboutMatt Maguire Expertise I am new to allexperts, but have plenty of knowledge and experience in the realm of Sublime. Guarantee: you will receive an answer within 2 days of posting the question -- I have no feedback so far and would like to build some.
I can answer most questions about the band, the significance of the lyrics, the show dates,
the unreleased albums and tracks, misinformation, and, above all, I am an expert on their
influences and related music.
Experience I have been a huge fan for 14 years, I ran a server which distributed Sublime's live and unreleased music 24/7 for 4 years, I have answered questions about the band daily for years on their old website, and I know some of the largest collectors in the world. I created the 5 CD bootleg "Rewind Selector" which documents the influences of Sublime and was the topic of a Spin Magazine interview.
Education/Credentials I did not study music in college, but I majored in English, so I can write a clear response. I worked as a research assistant in the past, so I have skills in research if I need to figure out an answer.
Past/Present Clients Sublime fans aren't my clients, but I have distributed swag and rare tracks to all those who want them for years at no cost.
Expert: Matt Maguire Date: 6/6/2008 Subject: I bought one of the fake ones too
Question I can relate to the question about the sublime poster signed "Bradley Nowell" in silver ink. I have one on my wall. I asked the company where it came from, and they claimed it was signed in 1992 in the back of their van during the promotion of 40 oz. However, when i received it, and opened the tube, the poster had a "new" smell, plus it was obviously different from the one they had advertised on the website. I emailed them back and threatened with my attorney, and they offered me a full refund, in exchange for my order #. They also responded with the gay fact that they only sell "mint" posters, so that was the excuse for the "new" smell! Any thing 16 years old, does not smell this way. If i'm not mistakin, this is a very serious crime to forge such an autograph, and pose&sell one with a certificate saying its real. What should i do?
Answer I'd like to know what the poster is. I've seen plenty of Brad autographs that look legit and are on a 40oz to Freedom CD, but the pressing is post-96 MCA. There were very few posters before Brad died, so you'd know right away if it was a forgery.
Sadly, with eBay and the internet, forgeries are a big, big business and it's almost impossible to tell what is legit. I would really like to see eBay get rid of all autographs because I think 99% are faked. People can easily buy a hologram and make up a company name to be printed on cardstock. Voila! A certificate of authenticity that means nothing.
Get your refund, but once that happens, I hope you don't stop there. They are quick to pay you off so they can sell fakes to 100 customers who will be duped -- you'll know it's fake when they don't demand that you send it back before getting a refund. Ripoffreport.com is the place to mention your issue to help others who might google "Company Name" + "scam". Never buy an autograph from someone without a storefront.
