Sublime members settle lawsuit; prepare to hit the road

Contributed by alex101. Posted by ben on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 1:00 PM (EST)

Orange County's OC Weekly is reporting that the surviving members of Sublime have settled a lawsuit with the family of deceased founding member and singer Bradley Nowell over the use of the band's name, which was trademarked by Nowell. As a compromise, the band will be touring under the name Sublime With Rome, in reference to the name of new singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez.

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Sublime

News (64 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

kidgotham (February 4, 2010)

I really hope no one shows up. Don't get me wrong, I don't like Sublime, but this "reunion" is nothing but a ridiculous cash grab.

dX927 (February 4, 2010)

Badfish sell out shows all over the country so I'm sure 2/3 of the original band will do just fine.

ZachLeg (February 4, 2010)

I hate badfish.

punk_sk (February 4, 2010)

eazyd is stoked

mystereohasmono (February 5, 2010)

He's probably gearing up for the local county fair where these washed up losers are playing to totally get their autographs next to his Sublime tattoo. Then it's off to the tattoo parlor! Just like a Poison groupie in the 80's!

24hourpriapism (February 4, 2010)

insert david cross's comments about weed culture here.

2kings (February 4, 2010)

wha?

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

I always held the belief that they were in the band too so they should be able to tour with the name if they want. Personally I think they should have just changed the fucking name because its obviously not the same band without Brad, but its their band and they should be allowed to tarnish whatever resemblance of a legacy they had if they want.

milesqtoast (February 4, 2010)

I think I'm with you

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

They did. It was Long Beach Dub All Stars and no one cared. So they're going where the money is.
Apparently, it's not "their" band. Looks like Brad at least owned the name. Bands are businesses; they have owners or co-owners. If you work and a buddy work for "Jim's Electrician Service" and Jim dies and leaves the business to his wife, do you and your buddy have the right to continue operating under the name "Jim's Electrician Service?"

milesqtoast (February 4, 2010)

If he had legal rights to it then I'm with you but then why was that the case? Were they just backup guys or where they a band? 3 to 1 you know?

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

You can be "in a band" and not a hired gun, yet still not have controlling power over the name, or the band business. You can be a minority partner. I know there's bands out there where 1 guy owns the name and logos, while the band itself is all equal.

PCS19 (February 5, 2010)

jesus people. punkpolitcs.gov

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

If you really believe that being in a band is equivalent to working for an electrician then why don't you go post on an electrician fan website?

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

I've mentioned on here a bunch, I've worked with bands (and been in a few myself) for years. Probably know a little more about the ins and outs of the business side than you do.

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

Good for you, you must feel so superior to everyone else. No one but you gives a fuck who you've worked with.

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

And I still fail to see how making music is even close to the same thing as selling light bulbs.

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

Running a business. Think about it. Also, electricians don't sell light bulbs.

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

Maybe not, but I'd be willing to bet that even they know the difference between "insight" and "in site"

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

Sorry, was doing something else at the same time. But I love the guy who points out spelling errors when he's been proven he doesn't know what he's talking about otherwise.

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

Even my 5 year old wouldn't have missed the point there

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

Well, I didn't say who I'd worked with/for, nor did I brag about it. So, there's strike 1 and 2. Strike 3 was down below. It's pretty simple: I'm explaining how something works from first hand experience. Like, it someone asked about, ooohh I don't know, being a doofus in SLC, you'd had first hand knowledge of it, right? And you could offer in site, no?

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

If it came down to it, I guess I'd rather be a "doofus" than a washed up, wanna be music insider who needs to remind people on the internet how important I am. But that's just me.

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

You're the one who keeps mentioning that. I'm not bragging about anything. Inferiority complex? I can imagine it probably hurts when someone who knows what they're talking about says you're wrong. Again, it's super simple; someone saying "i've done this before, and this is how it works," isn't bragging. Sorry that you're so insecure that you take it that way.

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

Hmmm, speaking of showing how important you are on the internet:
"Just because you know a few of the more popular reggae artists doesn't mean you know the genre. And just because you know a few hippies who play hacky sack and wear Bob Marley shirts doesn't mean you know jack shit about the fans."

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

Hmmmm, not sure how that makes me look important but congratulations on looking up my old posts.

2kings (February 4, 2010)

sparknews.org

justthetip (February 5, 2010)

Although a band has elements of a business (making money) they are not comparable to an electrician's business. A band is an artistic endeavor and must maintain a certain artistic integrity to the artist. Was Pablo Picasso a business also? If so, could somebody gain the rights to his name and start releasing art work under Pablo Picasso's name again? Legally, they probablly could. But that doesn't make it right. It's just not the same. Seeing as how Sublime was a team of artists, they should have a right to continue playing music they helped make and they are doing the right thing by clarifying the name because without the "with Rome" I think it would be false advertising.

drawing_dead (February 4, 2010)

i think the reason why they are using the name is because they are playing Sublime songs. Its not really a new band. Its like when a band replaces a drummer. Its still the same band and songs. And i know you hardcore Sublime fans/30 something year old pot heads are going to say to no one can replace Bradley Nowell or just even just a lead singer, but hey AC/DC did it and it worked. And where else can you get your beach bum ska from.

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

Just like the Dead Kennedys were the same without Jello or the Misfits were the same without Danzig? There are some people in bands who can be easily replaced and there are others that simply can't. Like it or not Brad was essentially the face of the band. Bon Scott was not the face of AC/DC. I'll agree, though, that when Bon died and AC/DC wanted to continue with a new singer the reaction was very similar to this situation and they proved it can be done.

drawing_dead (February 4, 2010)

I see your point and ill conceed a little but Dead Kennedys and the Misfits are bad examples. Bon Scott and Brad were unexpected death. Those singer quit. Ill also admit that it is a cash grab but its also think they are not trying to disrespect Brad in any way.

DrGunn (February 4, 2010)

there's a big difference between replacing the drummer and replacing THE GUY WHO WROTE ALL THE SONGS AND WAS THE ENTIRE PUBLIC FACE OF THE BAND. at least in ac/dc's case, the young brothers were the primary songwriters and the riffs were as much of the appeal of the band as bon's vocals were.

drawing_dead (February 4, 2010)

Alice in Chains. Half the song that writting team died.

drawing_dead (February 4, 2010)

Sorry i wrote that all fucked up. let me try again. Alice in Chains. Half that songwritting team died.

lookingforcorpses (February 4, 2010)

Ehhh less than half.

americanriot (February 4, 2010)

first off, most of sublime's lyrics are lifted from other songs. the band itself is kind of fascinating. they really did seemlessly mix tons of different styles of music, and yes they created a sound that was distinctly sublime. either way bud and eric dedicated a good chunk of their lives to sublime. i am in a 3 piece. i write the songs and lyrics, but they wouldn't be the same without my bassist and my drummer. could someone else play what they play? sure, but someone else could also play what i could play. it is hard to imagine new songs, and i don't know how i would feel about that, but i would also be gone. if i died, and they decided to keep playing the songs under the name, it would be great. the things you write are your legacy to this world. it is what you leave when you pass on. why would you not want them to be carried on and kept fresh in people's mind. the name game is petty.

DrGunn (February 4, 2010)

perhaps you would enjoy it, but i don't think anyone is capable of resurrecting noel and asking if he feels the same way. to keep the name is to pretend that things are the same or close to. they're not. it's an embarrassment and a blatant cash grab.

his legacy is intact, the albums are all in print and widely available. 2 washed up losers attempting to cash in only harms that legacy.

Morbo_09 (February 4, 2010)

"Also, electricians don't sell light bulbs." hahahahahahaha

hayman (February 7, 2010)

This whole thread is funny. I can't understand the confusion around this. Lookingforcorpses knows his shit but it's really not that complicated.

notfeelingcreative (February 4, 2010)

Conveniently left out of this article was the sentence, "unfortunately, the band's fan base are too stoned and drunk to realize: 1. Brad's been dead for over thirteen years and that's not him singing. and 2. if you had bought the girl next to you four less jager bombs she wouldn't be giving you the time of day!

CountChocula (February 4, 2010)

Good one

rumblefish330 (February 4, 2010)

Im not a fan of these guys no matter who is singing but I once paid 12 dollars to see Blitz when Blitz consisted of one original guitarist and 4 American teenagers. I still had a great time, heard all the old songs, and felt like I got my moneys worth. So I guess this is OK. as long as noone gets straight suckered into thinking that this is what it was like in the bands "heyday."

chadreligion (February 4, 2010)

suburban college kids driving volkswagen bugs with orchids hanging from the rearview mirror are beyond stoked

andimeanittoo (February 4, 2010)

you all liked sublime and thought it was so cool that they had that song talking about smoking joints all day. don't act like you didn't. you just didn't have the balls to smoke weed but once you got out of high school and discovered PBR, your world was forever changed. regardless this is stupid.

notfeelingcreative (February 4, 2010)

Oh really? Everyone? Wow....

kidgotham (February 4, 2010)

I have always hated that band. That "smoke a joint" song was one of the most useless waste of braincells released in the 90s.

americanriot (February 4, 2010)

"smoke two joints" isn't even written by sublime, it's by the toyes

americanriot (February 4, 2010)

unless of course you're talking about the endless amount of other songs about smoking weed that sublime has. though half of those are based on other reggae songs.

kidgotham (February 4, 2010)

wow, that's pretty specific. This means what, six people are stoked.

seems about right

scientistrock (February 4, 2010)

Nirvana Reunion? Or how about a new Elliot Smith tour?

alchron77 (February 4, 2010)

If they really want to do this then they should look at the train wreck that is the Misfits. I can't imagine anyone wanting to turn into that.

DrGunn (February 4, 2010)

good point. elliott had a killer band and i'd love to see them on the road playing the hits!

hashbrowns (February 4, 2010)

Only if they play a spicy island beat and get elliot smith to do that thing they did in Weekend at Bernies.

xseanx (February 4, 2010)

Who honestly still gives a shit about this band?

supernothing241 (February 4, 2010)

im satisfied by this verdict

davewilliams (February 4, 2010)

Who the fuck is Sublime With Rome?!

dev (February 4, 2010)

Royale with Cheese

johnnyz77 (February 4, 2010)

It's the one that says Bad Mother F*cker on it!

14theroad (February 4, 2010)

English! Do you speak it?!!

hashbrowns (February 4, 2010)

Hahahahahaahaahahahaha their new band name is so awful its good.

ZachLeg (February 4, 2010)

I've always felt the same way about Sublime as I do about Bob Marley. I don't love them, but I appreciate their musical output. But their fanbase has always been the driving factor of my hatred for both of them.

conebone69 (February 4, 2010)

These fuckers are sad

But I suppose it beats the night shift at Jack in the Box

david5345 (February 4, 2010)

Lol.

Mystereohasmono (February 5, 2010)

The fat junkie lead singer is rolling in his grave. Rolling a fat joint that is! Yowza!