Legendary ska-punk band Sublime is back in the studio working on their first album since their 1996 self-titled release, with Jakob Nowell, son of late frontman Bradley Nowell, at the helm. The project brings together original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, with special collaboration from Blink-182's Travis Barker.
Jakob Nowell, 29, who made his official debut as Sublime's new vocalist at Coachella last year, recently spent time in the studio with Barker and producer John Feldmann writing new material. The younger Nowell aims to honor his father's legacy while creating fresh compositions that stay true to Sublime's signature sound.
"The goal is not to create something that is, like, 'This is what Sublime would be today in 2025,'" Jakob explained. "No, just more of a solid respect and homage to the works of Sublime."
Travis Barker, a self-proclaimed Sublime enthusiast, expressed enthusiasm about the project: "This is going to be really special. Bradley comes through his son Jakob... Chills every day in the studio when he sings and plays guitar."
The upcoming album will feature both new compositions and previously unreleased material from Bradley Nowell's archives. The band has already seen success with their recent single "Feel Like That," which uniquely features vocals from both father and son.
Jakob and his collaborators are taking a methodical approach to the project, studying Sublime's diverse influences ranging from Bad Brains to reggae artists Johnny Osbourne and Jacob Miller. The team is maintaining detailed documentation of Sublime's musical elements to preserve authenticity in the new material.
The band plans to release singles initially, with the possibility of a full album depending on fan reception. "If it feels threatening and lame and just not a cool thing to do, we probably won't continue onwards," Jakob noted, emphasizing their commitment to respecting the band's legacy.
In related news, a Sublime biopic is also in development, with Riverdale star KJ Apa set to portray Bradley Nowell. Jakob is involved in reviewing the script to maintain authenticity in the film's portrayal of the band's history.