Background
Sublime formed in Long Beach in 1988 by Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Bud Gaugh (drums) and Eric Wilson (bass guitar). Their debut album, 40oz. to Freedom, was released on Skunk Records in 1992 to mixed critical reviews. The album established Sublime's blend of reggae, punk, ska, and hip hop, and helped to further strengthen the group's growing California following. Initially being sold exclusively at their live shows, the album became widely known in the greater Los Angeles area when the modern rock radio station KROQ began playing the song "Date Rape" in 1995.
Sublime returned to the studio in 1993 to begin recording their second album, Robbin' the Hood. Released in 1994, the album noted low production values (the album sleeve boasts of its "13 self produced 4-track home recordings"). Following the release of Robbin' the Hood, Sublime embarked on a successful tour and co-headlined the first annual Vans Warped Tour in 1995. Following the success of then-current acts such as The Offspring, Green Day, and Rancid, Sublime was signed to the label Gasoline Alley of MCA Records by Jon Phillips, who subsequently became the band's manager.
In early 1996, Sublime headlined the very first SnoCore Tour. By this time, they had begun writing and recording what would comprise the band's self-titled third record and their major label debut album. They completed it before Nowell died of a heroin overdose on May 25, 1996 at the Oceanview Motel in San Francisco, two months prior to the release. Following Nowell's death, the surviving members considered disbanding Sublime, which they did. Sublime later reformed with lead singer Rome under the moniker Sublime with Rome.
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