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 QUESTION: Hey GMan,
Thanks for the great answer to my last question; I have another for you:
What was happening in Sublime-land in 1987? I've always thought that they
met and first started playing together in '88. Any thoughts on this? And, oh
yeah, how do you get your hands on a copy of C003?
Thanks man,
ANSWER: Hey Nathan,
Well,... a lot was happenin' back in 87'... but not sublime "officially" yet. lol Brad was still at school.
Here is a little time line from 1980 to 1988 for ya...
1980:
During a vacation to Jamaica with his father,
Bradley discovers reggae music. A local
guitarist teaches Bradley how to play a reggae
rhythm on his guitar. The experience changes
Bradley forever.
1982-1986:
Bradley plays in a few punk bands during his
teen years, mainly Sloppy Seconds and
Hogan’s Heroes.
1985:
Bradley attends C.S.U.L.B. where he first
starts playing music seriously.
1986:
Sublime’s first recording, two years before
the official creation of Sublime is a 4-track
demo titled "Fighting Blindly". It later shows
up on Sublime’s bootleg record Sinsemilla ’86 -’96.
At the beginning of the track, there
is a recording of a then 17-year-old Bradley
at a performance.
1987:
Still one year before the official creation
of Sublime, more demos are made. Some
of these songs, such as "Romeo", "New Realization" & "Roots Of Creation", have shown up on various Sublime releases
as B-sides and demos. Others will never
see the light of day.
1988:
Brad quits school. Creation of Sublime is official. Members are
Brad on vocals and lead guitar; Eric on bass;
and Bud on drums.
1988:
Sublime’s first public show sets off "The Peninsula
Riot" in Long Beach, CA on July 4th. From then on
they are "the" band to see in Long Beach.
And, the rest is history!
I hope this helps.
"All Sublime All The Time"
Peace,
GMan
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey again GMan,
Thanks for the insight! So, it was '86 when they first started playing together? Hmm. You learn something new everyday! How did they meet. I heard that Brad was neighbours with either Bud or Eric. What's the story on this? I want to know how the band members magically came together. I always find it so cool to hear the details on how awesome bands form!
I look forward to your answer!
Later,
Nathan
Answer Nathan, dude,..
That's too LONG of a story, but yes they were neighbors. Bud and Eric lived in LB. Brad moved from his Mom's to his Dad's house in LB cause his Mom couldn't "handle" him anymore in the early 80's.
As neighbors do, they all got to know each other, surfing, walking the boardwalk, etc. They became friends, liked the same music and eventually became sublime.
However, Bud and Eric were trippin for a while when Brad's taste in music changed to reggae (or incorporated reggae) after he came back from the Caribbean.
Those guys were all punkers throughout the 80's; especially Brad & Eric, when everyone was into New Wave and shit, so when Brad got back and started incorporating that shit into his music (Dude, he got WAY into it) Bud and Eric were like "what"?
But, they already were tight from before that, so the friendships were already there,... they were "Bros" and went with it cause Brad didn't drop the punk stuff, ya know? He still wanted to play everything,... PLUS reggae. They were like, a "compromise?".. "alright".
Remember, back then, enough beer and everybody was on board with ANYTHING... haha And, it's a long story cause a lot goes into that "compromise". One part experimentation, two parts rebellion ("fuck what people think"), three parts "we can do it better than anyone"... etc.
You know what I mean? It wasn't "cool" to be from the So. Cal. hardcore scene and DARE playing hippy fucking reggae music. You'd either get laughed outta town or beat to a pulp... Sublime liked that.
Plus, Brad had an amazing power of persuasion along with his amazing talent. He could get you to do anything, say anything, give him anything, get him anything, etc. because he had this huge heart that you could see was just wide open. Hard to explain.
As we all know, he got his way,.. but he also got Bud & Eric into it & to really like it. Again, the rest is "history".
But, back in the day,... really... Brad, Bud, & Eric were just young punk kids trying to follow their big Brothers in that Southern California hardcore scene.
Most argue that all of them went from being "followers" that would have probably ended up on the list of "good punk bar bands" to "leaders" once Brad got back from that trip & found his direction.
"Divine Intervention"?.. Who knows, but ask anyone who was around back then & they'll tell you.... Brad was now "on a mission" with that style of music & there was nobody that was going to tell him that it sucked, that he was a "crazy white boy playing reggae music", or deter him from doing it.
Simple: That music ruled, & Brad was going to prove it to you through "sublime". End of story.
