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 So I found a sublime 40 oz. to freedom vinyl on ebay. The cover art is the orange sun but it does not say Sublime or 40 oz. to freedom on the cover. I was wondering if it is an import or illegitimate or something else?
Answer Hey Kendal,
Well, you gotta show me a picture or something... maybe an eBay link because most (even the Original) copies of "40 oz." on vinyl have the Opie "Sun" art on the cover; although the colors of the ink vary quite a bit. It's the back of the vinyl that would let me know if it's OG.
A good place to start is: Look on the back. If you see ONLY "Skunk Records", you might be looking at an "OG". But, if you see: "Erika Records", you probably have one of the "re-presses"; which are "legit" but NOT original.
In like 2000, "Erika" did a "re-press" of the original "40 oz. to Freedom" on black/brown vinyl that is often confused with the "Original" pressing of "40 oz." on "Skunk Records".
But, since those went pretty quickly back in the day, If it says "Erika Records", you most likely are looking at either the Cranberry vinyl or the Glow in the Dark vinyl. This is the 2005 re-press, limited to 2500 copies on cranberry colored vinyl and 1000 copies on glow-in-the-dark vinyl.
This is what the "Cranberry" colored vinyl looks like:
