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 was just curious about Santeria, is there a live recording of the band w/ Brad playing it anywhere? A link perhaps? What a great song among many many great songs. I know it was Lincoln Hway dub and all that, but I've never heard or wawtched a live recording of Santeria w/ Brad singing it. He died shortly after the self titled album released but I figure there is a ecording out there somewhere. Thanks, probably have some other questions at some point if thats cool, as I am a big Sublie fan since I was about 14 (about 1995 or so.)
Answer Hey Chris,
Yeah, that's a good one,.. and there are so many,... but unfortunately, No.. we have no video (or audio for that matter) of sublime playing that song live. In fact, I'm not too sure I even heard them play "Lincoln Highway Dub" in any of their sets. Well, maybe one time for a warm up that I can remember but that was when they were playing small club gigs & backyard parties.
Unfortunately, for Bradley, even before that song became popular.. he knew that it was going to be their "big hit" off the "S/T" album & so he mentally placed it in the "Date Rape" category. They (especially Brad) hated that song ("Date Rape") & hated playing it live because of it's over-exposure. Also, it was because they had been playing that song for like 6 years before KROQ added it to their playlist(s) here in So. Cal. so when if finally broke big, they were all like: "It's about fucking time!!" & would cringe when people shouted it out at shows & wanted them to play it.
"Santeria" was the same way for Brad. He had the feeling that the song was gonna just blow up (and it did) & he vowed to not play it live just like "Date Rape". He liked the more obscure songs & almost only included the sure-fire hits to insure success & airplay. He thought the idea of "pop songs" that have a wide appeal was ludicrous & enjoyed the stuff that was more challenging to us as the listener.
He was very intelligent & he knew exactly how to appease the suits & pull the wool over the eyes of the powers that be. ("Santeria", "What I Got") That way, he also got out (or was able to get out) what HE wanted heard... and then he would drop the very thing that made the suits happy & made them money...
The "Hits".
Gotta love the man. He'd ALWAYS figure a way to knock you out.
In years to come, he will be known & respected as the 'genius' that he was...Trust me. Because his brilliance, creativity, & intelligence were on so many different levels that it would take me a year just to start explaining them.
