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: 9/3/2007 Subject: the sublime sun
Question The Sublime Sun is a classic drawing, but when looking at different versions of the poster, I've seen several small differences, and when asking other people what they thought each item actually was, everyone seemed to have a difference answer. So my question is what actually does the sublime sun all entail ?
Answer Meghan --
I have been asked this question before and I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to reuse that answer. If you want to follow up, that's fine, but I think everything you're looking for is below, in my words and the words of a guy (who I agree with) who goes by Beany on the Sublime Spot website:
<<There have been a few theories on the elements of the 40oz sun, but I'd be lying to you if I told you I knew anything more than my own speculations and the speculations of others -- it really hasn't been talked about by a more reputable source (like Opie Ortiz, the artist). If you post regularly on Sublime Spot, I'm sorry, but I'm going to repost what "Beany" said:
"I always had a theory over the Sublime sun. Here it goes:
You think of the LBC, Cali, the west coast, what do you think of, stereotypically? Sun, sea, sand and surf. Party time, with good music and great scenery. And look! The 40oz cover has a sun! So all's happy, right?
Nope.
Look closer, what do you see? A genie, offering temptation, the devil likewise. A maggot, a hypodermic needle, a skull and a skeleton. What the artwork metaphorically shows, to me, is that although Cali is a fun, laid-back place to be, all is not as it seems. Even the actual sun seems depressed, by it's expression. Scratch the surface, and all is not well.
Of course, if you avoid the temptations, perhaps you just see a sun.
Thoughts, anyone?"
I thoroughly agree with this thoughtful insight and have a couple things to add which I think are in his theory, but aren't expressed outright.
There's certainly a drug theme to the image since the head is made out of a mushroom. Also, the skeleton of a fish is an omen on its own; Brad's tattoo in his left forearm also had a black fish skeleton, in the place where he would shoot his heroin. Later, Opie (same artist) added waves reminicent of Cali, but filled those waves with toxic waste barrels, track, and needles...not all serene.
But like "Beany" I'm going to step back and invite you to make your own theory and admit that I don't know for sure.>>
