Sublime

Sublime was a band from Long Beach, California whose music was a fusion of ska, dub, punk and rock. The three members (lead singer/guitarist Bradley Nowell, bassist Eric Wilson, and drummer Bud Gaugh) formed the band in 1988, and they soon managed to build a massive local following around Southern California. Popular Los Angeles radio station KROQ put their song "Date Rape" into rotation, Sublime signed to MCA Records, and they began touring extensively.

The band recorded what would be their breakthrough album, an eponymous major label debut. Unfortunately, Nowell overdosed on heroin and died before the album was released. Containing hit songs such as "What I Got," "Wrong Way" and "Santeria," it posthumously became a huge, multi-platinum hit. More releases would follow, but Sublime itself was over and the surviving members moved on to new projects.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: Long Beach, California
2. Formed: 1988
3. 8 million albums sold worldwide
4. May 25, 1996: Nowell dies of heroin overdose in San Francisco hotel room
5. Surviving members formed the Long Beach Dub Allstars
6. Nowell's record label: Skunk Records

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