Rome Ramirez

Recently the founding Sublime rhythm section of bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Floyd “Bud” Gaugh announced that they would resume working together again under he name Sublime. The pair enlisted vocalist Rome Ramirez and began gigging around their home base of Southern California. The trio is set to appear this coming Saturday at the Cypress Hill’s 2009 Smokeout Festival in San Bernadino. However, on the eve of this event the family of the late Sublime guitarist/vocalist Bradley Nowell have asked Wilson and Gaugh to find another name for their group. Novell’s Estate (consisting of widow Troy Nowell, father Jim “Papa” Nowell, and son Jakob Nowell) issued the following statement:

It was recently announced that Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and Sublime drummer Floyd ‘Bud’ Gaugh are ‘reuniting’ and teaming with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez in a band they intend to call ‘Sublime.’ Prior to his untimely passing, both Bud and Eric acknowledged that Brad Nowell was the sole owner of the name Sublime. It was Brad’s expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark ‘Sublime’ under his own name.

As Brad’s heirs, and with the support of his entire family, we only want to respect his wishes and therefore have not consented to Bud and Eric calling their new project ‘Sublime.’ We have always supported Bud and Eric’s musical endeavors and their desire to continue to play Sublime’s music. We wholeheartedly supported Bud, Eric and the many talented members of the Sublime posse that formed the Long Beach Dub All-Stars, soon after Brad’s death, to honor him through their original recordings, live performances and Sublime music until they disbanded in 2001. But, out of respect for Brad’s wishes, we have always refused to endorse any group performing as ‘Sublime,’ and now with great reluctance feel compelled to take the appropriate legal action to protect Brad’s legacy.

Our hope is that Brad’s ex-bandmates will respect his wishes and find a new name to perform under, so as to enhance the ‘Sublime’ legacy without the confusion and disappointment that many fans have expressed upon seeing the announcement.

Peace and Love to all,

Troy, Jakob & Jim ‘Papa’ Nowell.

At present, Wilson, Gaugh and Ramirez are still slated to appear as Sublime on Saturday.