AboutGMan Expertise I can answer any/all questions in regard to "sublime". I was down with the band and Skunk Records since 1991; the year they released their second cassette, "Jah Won't Pay the Bills" until the end in 1996. I have answers to all of your questions about their music, their releases, their unreleased music, their promos, merchandise, and the like. You ask it, I'll answer it.
Experience I have extensive knowledge of "sublime" from their origin(s)through the end of their career. I have been involved with "sublime" from the early years when Kelly Vargas was on Drums, I know everything that there is to know about their early career, their rise to fame in the early 90's, & on through until May 96' when Brad passed away. I specialize in the band's merchandise. I have been collecting everything that is "sublime" since the beginning and have extensive knowledge on the subject. They released an unparalleled amount of DYI promotional merchandise before being signed to MCA & I would be glad to help you find out what piece of their BIG puzzle you are holding on to and/or what you'd like to get your hand on!
Publications I am a regular on all of the sublime chat boards and was a constant on the now defunct sublime board, "The Curb" where many people considered me the "go to guy" for information on "sublime" and the rarities that they left behind for us all.
Question Hey GMan,
I love your forum and I am stoked to read through the many questions that you've answered.
I am curious of your relationship with the band, in paticular with Bradley. How did you meet him? I assume you were a part of the band's entourage. I am beyond curious about the history of the best band ever! I promise more questions will follow.
Thanks GMan,
Nathan
Answer Hey Nathan,
I don't really want to go into my personal business on a public forum too much & I'm sure your understand, but yes, I was down with sublime. I'll give you a little synopsis:
Bradley dated (barely) this chick that lived on my street like 4 houses down in Costa Mesa. We all hung out over there. This was early; just before the guys all got together and started sublime... like 1988 or 1989. But, he was from Long Beach and we were from Costa Mesa (Like 15-20 minutes apart) so at that point, it was like whenever Brad was here, we'd see him.. ya know.
Then, I was down with Dave Noise of "Noise, Noise, Noise" in Costa Mesa since we were kids & then when sublime started to get going, they would slang their music there (Around the time of the "c003" and "Jah Won't Pay The Bills" cassettes). Dave even made the 7" "Work That We Do" vinyl with them. That's about when I really got into them cause their music was killer & they were cool guys. Like 1990-1991.
At the same time, I used to work at this Health Food store called Mother's Market where Eric's girlfriend worked with me. He would give her stuff but she hated sublime's music so she would give it to me. And, I am friends with this chick from HB named Michelle who used to go out with Mikey (Miguel).
Once sublime was going and playing gigs, they played at backyard parties all over Orange County & would come over and play for beer.
Back then,...around here... You just knew where sublime was going to be, or you found out & you were always there because those were partying times & you didn't want to miss the party... or if someone was having a party, sublime didn't want to miss it and THEY were there... lol
It was just a clique that was unto itself in OC & as time went on, we all just knew each other.
You could call Brad or ask Eric's girlfriend to ask them to play your party on the weekend & if you had beer, they would play.
Simple, easy, no complications. Just good times like the way it should be. All bands should be like those guys were, I'm tellin' ya.
Right place, right time? or "fate", I don't know, but everyone that I knew,.. all knew those guys or dated them, etc.
And,.. This chick Maria at Skunk Records was my main girl back then so I was hooked into the scene even when I lived in Weed, CA (Yes, the same place as the picture in the "40 oz." record... lol) when I was at school.
Then, when you would come back into town, one of your friends would say: "Sublime's playing the Weenie Roast (or Board Aid or the Warped Tour) and they would have your laminate ready to go hit the show. No big production about it, just "Let's Go!".
Imagine all of the friends that you used to hang out with or see or work with in High School everyday. Now, imagine that 3 of them suddenly turned out to be the famous band "sublime". That's how it was.
It seemed like it was overnight that sublime got big to most people, but really it was many years in the making with endless awesome shows. We all still thought of sublime as the band that would be playing our Birthday party next month up until the day Brad passed away.
All I have to say to Brad is: Thanks for the memories.
