This exhibit is a testament to how Sublime related to Southern California Culture, which ultimately led to their success. The SoCal culture I am referring to in this project possesses many key characteristics, including a laid back, carefree attitude and a sense of having fun all of the time, especially among the youth of SoCal.

Brad in the Early 80’s

Young Bradley Nowell plays an entry level Fender Stratocaster known as a “Squier.” He jams probably at his house, probably as he first started learning guitar as well. This is the kind of essence Sublime brings to their music as well, an essence of simplicity, being carefree, happiness and an overall essence of fun. The idea of jamming with friends in a garage and embracing the fact that you are not a rock star is what Sublime is about. This picture is so pivotal to this because of how it shows the true beginning of what formed the band that would be Sublime, a band that would flip the California dream on its head and define a new culture.

Young Sublime in 1989

Just after his band formed, Bradley Nowell takes this picture with his new band, Sublime. On the left is drummer Bud Gaugh, in the middle is guitarist and lead singer Brad, and on the right is bassist Eric Wilson. Though it does not have an exact date, this photo was probably taken at some point in the late 80’s or 1990, near when the band first formed. The band is shown embracing the California sunshine and displaying the relaxed and care-free attitude that would lead them to become the main house party band of LA and Orange County, as well as contribute a new aura to the SoCal culture.

1991

Above is Sublime’s first demo tape titled “Jah Won’t Pay the Bills.” I feel that this ablum cover and the artwork on it really do represent what Sublime was going for, or rather who they were as people. Bradley Nowell took a liking to reggae music very early on when he took a sailing trip to the Virgin Islands with his father in 1979. This album cover shows Sublime’s unique fusion of musical styles with the title, since Jah is the God of Rastafarianism. Reggae music has a distinct, intimate relationship with Rastafarianism, so Sublime incorporated the word by blending it with a comedic twist, “won’t pay the bills.” This along with the bands dogs sporting sunglasses in the photo gives the listener a fun vibe right out of the gate without even hearing the record.

Groove Tube in 92′

Sublime plays to a crowd of very few during one of their early tours. They are playing in Florida during the video, where they had no popularity whatsoever at the time. However, one of the likeable things about the band was the fact that they were always willing to play their music, no matter what. In an interview, the bands producer states, “It doesn’t matter if we go to a town and play to only one person, that still one more friend than we previously had.” This attitude of inclusiveness and positivity was the main force that carried Sublime,  while the fact that they were playing an innovative style of music was only half of their success. This attitude definitely spoke to their main audience back in Southern California, and as a result, they gained a huge following and became one of the signature bands of California. They were even know to hangout with the audience after their shows, often going right up to them and sparking conversation. They also show their fun side when an assistant comes up to adjust the microphone for Bradley, and while moving it around, Bradley makes a funny bobbing gesture.

Badfish, 1992

This artifact really sums up Sublime. It is the famous music video for the bands hit song “Badfish,” which shows the band playing the chill song at a beach with all of their friends. The beginning clips of the video show sets of waves rolling in as people meander down to the beach to have their party. The song was off of their first real album titled, “40 Oz. to Freedom,” which thy managed to record in the span of 8 hours by breaking into a high school studio when nobody was there.

1992

“What’s Really Goin’ Wrong” is a surf movie made in the early nineties that features many famous surfers, including Kelly Slater. The beginning of this film shows some friends goofing around and having fun, shortly followed by Sublime playing the theme song of the film. There’s a reason why Sublime was selected to play the soundtrack of the film, and it was because they became a distinct association with surf culture in Southern California. Their blend of punk rock, ska, and reggae really covered all the corners of what surfing was all about, adrenaline, fun and relaxation. They made this soundtrack early in their career, boosting their popularity in the surf scene as the latest, freshest surf music.

Weenie Roast, 1995

Above is footage from the famous Weenie Roast show in 1995. What really made Sublime stand out in the music scene was their incredible, yet ironic ability to not care at all. This show was a shot to standout in front of radio stations and record labels in order to further their career, but instead they made copies of the backstage passes they had and invited 300 of their friends backstage. As if that wasn’t enough, they lets their friends run on stage during one of their punk songs to mosh. While they seemed to burn any bridges that could have been formed professionally, they popularity they gained from doing this was so great that it did not make a difference in their career in the end. Bradley and Bud both sport beer bellies and no shoes on stage while they perform, almost as if they are trying to show that they aren’t rock stars. What truly made Sublime a staple of California culture was their authenticity. They wore their hearts on their sleeves and never tried to be something they were not. They were not only playing to a crowd of surfers, punks, and beach bums alike, they were those people. For that reason, Sublime is truly special and remains a prominent band even 22 years later.

Badfish: 1992

Sublime’s hit “Badfish” was one of their greatest hits. The song’s lyrics consist of many surfing references, while the video also includes footage of waves.

#LordKnowsImWeak #GreatestHits #AreYouABadfishtoo

Same In The End: 1996

“Same in the End” is a song off their self-titled album, which like many other sublime songs, contains both punk and reggae sounds. The video above shows surfing, middle-fingers and mosh pits.

#DeepTracks #SublimeandSurfing #Surfing

Jah Won’t Pay The Bills: 1991

Above is Sublime’s debut album titled “Jah Won’t Pay the Bills.” The title mentions “Jah,” who is the God in Rastafarian religion, followed by a funny application of how he won’t pay the bills.

#Jah #TobyandLouDog #FirstRecordings

40 oz. To Freedom: 1992

Above is Sublime’s 40oz. to Freedom album which features the iconic Sublime sun. This sun can be seen everywhere in SoCal punk culture on many items including t-shirts still worn by the youth of today, almost 30 years later.

#40Oz.toFreedom #FirstHitAlbum #SublimeSun

Maximum Guitar Magazine ft. Sublime: 1996

An issue of Maximum Guitar magazine shows Bradley Nowell, Sublime’s front man, with his dog Louie.

#Magazine #PassingAway #FarewelltoBrad

Playing Lazy: Brad in 1995

Here, Brad can be seen playing live in front of a southern California crowd. He wears baggy shorts, hanging just low enough to sport some plumber’s crack. He also portrays a care-free vibe with his lack of shoes and beer belly jutting out into his guitar.

#BeerBelly #NoShoes #NoCare

Sublime Show with other bands: 1996

This concert poster was for a Sublime show during the mid 1990’s. The artwork shows a funny cartoon on the bottom left, as well as the Sublime logo on top fronting a marijuana cigarette.

#PosterArt #AccompanyingBands #BandPosters

Sublime Playing “Slow Ride” and Having Fun With It: Florida, 1995

Sublime plays their song “Slow Ride” to an audience of few. In this video, Brad makes silly gestures while the assistant tries to adjust his mic stand.

#Goofy #LiveinFlorida #LiveinFrontofTenPeople

Let’s All Mosh On Stage: Weenie Roast 1995

Above is footage from a radio event they played in 1995. In true Sublime punk fashion, the band let all their friends on stage to mosh during the show. The interview backstage shows them all hanging out and joking around with friends.

#KROQ #DayConcert #WeenieRoast

Skate Hard, Live Easy: 1995

Skaters in the 90’s, such as the one above, found peace in their sport, learning to be competitive but at the same time never lose a smile.

#ActionPictures #SkatingTricks #SkateParks

5 Sublime Songs in 1 Surf Movie, the Music of A Culture: 1992-94

Sublime’s music was often found in surf movies such as this one, titled, “What’s Really Going Wrong.” After the interview with the surfer dude, footage of surfers including world champion Kelly Slater is shown with Sublime’s song “Roots of Creation” playing in the background.

#SublimeandSurfing #SublimeSurfSoundtrack #What’sReallyGoingWrong

Jammin’ In The Garage, Real Roots: Mid 80’s

Here is Bradley Nowell playing guitar at a young age. He plays a Fender Squier, which is one of the cheapest guitars you can buy. This picture is from early on probably when Bradley Nowell was first learning guitar.

#RootsofCreation #TheEarlyYears #YoungBradleyNowell

Chillin’ On the Beach: 1996

The band takes a photo on the beach with Lou dog. The members of Sublime frequented Southern California beaches to surf and hangout. Nowell grew up by the beach his whole life, surfing, fishing, and even taking a sailing trip to Jamaica.

#SublimeandtheOcean #SublimewithLouDog #PictureattheBeach

Rome Gives A New Fire to the Music, and the Culture: 2014

Above is Rome Ramirez, Bradley Nowell’s replacement after the band reunited in 2008. He wields a Fender Stratocaster guitar with a marijuana sticker placed on it.

#ContinuingtheLegacy #SublimewithRome #RomeRamirez

Eric Shares his Thoughts…..: 2014

In this current photo, Eric Wilson, Sublime’s bassist, struts a classy shirt displaying his attitude in life, as well as a stylish bass consisting of glued-on buttons for decoration.

#Buttons #EricWilson #OriginalBandMembers

Cruisin’ Easy in IV: 2012

An Isla Vista surfer rides a watermelon soft-top surfboard. She takes on a medium-sized wave in laid-back fashion, simply enjoying the weather and easy ride.

#WatermelonSurfBoard #IVSurfing #IslaVista

Mosh Pits on Live TV: 2010

Sublime with Rome plays “Seed” live on Jimmy Kimmel. Even on Jimmy Kimmel, a mosh pit forms in the center of the crowd.

#MoshatJimmyKimmel #SublimeMusicLivesOnStrong #Timeless