Sublime Back in the Studio for First Album Since the Late 90s—With Bradley Nowell’s Son Front and Center

Back in 1996, Sublime released their self-titled album that helped the band gain a massive following thanks to hits like “Doin’ Time”, “Santeria”, and “What I Got.” Becoming a hit album for the band, tragedy struck Sublime on May 25, 1996, when lead singer Bradley Nowell sadly passed away in a San Francisco hotel. On tour with Sublime at the time, Nowell struggled with drug addiction and passed due to a heroin overdose. While his legacy with Sublime continued to live on, it appeared the band looked to get back into the studio for the first time in decades with Jakob Nowell taking over lead vocals. 

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Before even looking it up, yes, Jakob is the son of Bradley. Following in his father’s footsteps, the singer hoped to keep the spirit of his father in the spotlight. Bringing the band back together just a few years ago, Jakob noted how the original members returned to work on new music. But it wasn’t just Sublime as Jakob even brought in the drummer for Blink-182 Travis Barker. 

Speaking about the upcoming music, Jakob told Rolling Stone, “It’s the epilogue. Something that explores my lifetime relationship with this amazing body of work from a figure that I really never even got to meet, a figure who inspired so many music listeners and musicians around the world.”

[RELATED: The Best and Worst Song From Every Sublime Album]

Jakob Nowell Wants To Honor Father’s Legacy In Sublime

Not wanting to take over what his father helped build, Jakob promised that fans of the original lineup would love what they produced. Wanting to shine a light on the original sound of the band, he insisted, “The goal is not to create something that is, like, ‘This is what Sublime would be today in 2025.’ No, just more of a solid respect and homage to the works of Sublime.”

Besides Jakob sharing his excitement about the future of Sublime and getting the original members back together, Barker even acknowledged the connection between Bradley and his son. “Bradley comes through his son Jakob… Chills every day in the studio when he sings and plays guitar.”

While still working on the album, fans are already gearing up to hear new Sublime material for the first time in nearly three decades.

(Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images)