Sublime‘s surviving members — bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh — have confirmed their reunion as a band with frontman Jakob Nowell, the son of their late bandleader Bradley Nowell. The trio previously tested the waters at a December 2023 benefit gig.
Sublime are now scheduled to play the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, this April, with other festival dates to be announced, as the band explained in a Jan. 17 press release.
“This has so many layers for me,” Jakob said in a statement. “On a spiritual level, my father passed away when he was 28, and I am 28 now. It’s an honor to carry on with our family’s name and legacy with Sublime. I’ve been a performing musician with my own projects since I was 18. It’s an absolute privilege to be able to play these Sublime songs with legendary musicians like Eric and Bud.”
READ MORE: Surviving Sublime Members to Play First Show With Bradley Nowell’s Son
Wilson added, “This is great because I haven’t had the opportunity to play with Bud Gaugh in over a decade, and to have Brad’s son playing our music is the closest thing possible to playing with my old buddy Brad.”
Gaugh said, “I knew I would be playing music with Eric again at some point, that was never a doubt. But to be playing music with Eric and Jakob, it’s very reminiscent of those early days in Brad’s dad’s garage.”
sublime
Sublime With Jakob Nowell
Last month, it was said the trio weren’t calling themselves Sublime for the Dec. 11, 2023, benefit for Bad Brains vocalist H.R. But the band is indeed listed as “Sublime” on the Coachella bill. The group’s last incarnation, with lead singer Rome Ramirez, was called Sublime With Rome. Ramirez announced his pending exit from the band in mid-December, stating that he would be leaving by the end of 2024. “The upcoming performances over the next year will allow us to reflect on countless incredible memories together,” stated Ramirez at the time, so there may still be some Sublime With Rome dates still left to fulfill.
The December benefit was the first time the Sublime rhythm section performed with the Nowell offspring. It was also the first time Gaugh had joined Wilson onstage since Gaugh left the outfit in 2011. They performed an eight-song set including many Sublime classics such as “Santeria” and “What I Got.” (See video of below.)
Bradley Nowell, Sublime’s original singer-guitarist, died in 1996 when Jakob was 11 months old. As a solo artist, Jakob also performs music under the name Jakobs Castle.
“On a personal level, my Uncles Bud and Eric are meant to play these songs and the fans want to hear them,” Jakob added. “I’m excited, nervous, thankful and humbled all at the same time to step into this role and start this new chapter. It feels like my big crazy family is finally back together and I couldn’t be more happy.”
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Sublime With Jakob Nowell, “Santeria” (Live)
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