Sublime with Rome: Concert Review

Sublime with Rome: Concert review of their August 26, 2011 show at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA 

Is there a single person on the face of God’s green earth who doesn’t love Sublime?

Let’s face it, after the tragic death of Bradley Nowell, many considered the LBC ska/punk/dub band Sublime to be dead as well, but Sublime never left. Both Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh went on to form other bands, together and separately, and Sublime’s music lived, albeit through different inceptions, on.

Sublime with Rome was created after Rome Ramirez collaborated with bassist Eric Wilson of Sublime on video for RAWsession. The crew played Sublime songs together and it just felt right. Although no one could ever replace Bradley Nowell, Rome Ramirez’s sound mirrored that of Nowell’s, and it seemed he was meant to carry on Sublime’s legacy.

In 2009 Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh and Rome played a couple of shows under the band’s name, Sublime. Brad Nowell’s family put the kibosh on it right away, threatening litigation because Brad had trademarked the name. Although the Nowell family had always supported Eric and Bud’s musical ventures, it was Bradley’s wish that no band be called ‘Sublime’ without him and his family honored that.

Sublime with Rome was born.

As a longtime Sublime fan who knows every song by heart, I was interested in hearing Rome Ramirez’s voice as soon as I heard about him. I thought there was no way in hell that Sublime should have another singer. No one could be as extraordinary as Bradley, right? But after hearing him, especially LIVE, I can tell you this: Brad would be proud to pass the Sublime torch onto Rome, no question.

Rome is not only a truly gifted singer, he is also a genius on the guitar. And although he is half the age of the original band members, he fits right in with the carefree, beach bum, “I don’t give a sh*t” attitude that parallels theirs. He’s like Bradley’s little brother from another mother.

Watching Sublime with Rome play LIVE is something else. Seeing music come alive that you thought you would only hear on CD’s and MP3′s for the rest of your life is certainly magical. The crowd at Marymoor Park (a fabulous outdoor venue by the way) was in a “one love” sort of mood – or maybe they were just stoned – but the moshpit was tame, people were friendly and everyone was singing the lyrics along with Rome.

Sublime with Rome’s set list at Marymoor Park:

• Smoke Two Joints
• Lovers Rock
• Don’t Push
• Garden Grove
• Right Back
• New Thrash
• Wrong Way
• Panic
• STP
• Greatest Hits
• Take It or Leave It
• Scarlet Begonias
• PCH
• Badfish
• Let’s Go Get Stoned
• Summertime
• What I Got
• Ball and Chain
• Under My Voodoo
• Santeria
• Date Rape