Sublime, but WHICH Sublime?
Hmm. Well, in all fairness, this Sublime with Rome concert Friday in Foxwood’s Premier Theater could be misleading to fans.
A bit of quick history: Sublime, the SoCal ska/punk trio, rocketed to fame with songs like “What I Got” and “Santeria” shortly before the OD death of guitarist/songwriter/ vocalist Bradley Nowell in 1996. In 2009, bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh reformed the band with guitarist/longtime fan Rome Ramirez.
They toured as Sublime until Nowell’s estate protested the use of the name, so the trio rechristened themselves Sublime with Rome. Though they’ve released new material and toured extensively, it’s fair to say the old songs are what resonates with the fan base. Eventually, Gaugh and then Wilson left, meaning there are no original members of Sublime left.
Enter Nowell’s son Jakob, now 28 and a fellow who’s paid plenty of musical dues. He’s joined up with Gaugh and Wilson as Sublime and they’re playing and writing. Meanwhile, Ramirez has
stated he’s happy to have been a part of the Sublime/Sublime with Rome family all these years and to have moved to a solo career — but has existing tour obligations to fulfill as Sublime with Rose on what will be THIS outfit’s final tour.
So THAT’S who you’ll see at Foxwoods. Not the band with the Nowell scion and the original rhythm section, but the group featuring Ramirez, who honorably served for almost 15 years.
Weird, but that’s the situation. — Rick Koster
Sublime with Rome, 8 p.m. Friday, Premier Theater, Foxwoods; $49-$116; foxwoods.com.