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The Boys Are Back in Town
SUBLIME Release “Until the Sun Explodes”
June 16th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
On Friday, Sublime, the ska-punk-reggae band famously from Long Beach, released their first album in 30 years. A landmark, no doubt, but much like the band itself does not come without complexities and an ever-expanding story.
The album, “Until the Sun Explodes,” has already spawned two chart-topping hits. “Ensenada” was released last summer, almost a full year prior to the album’s release, and was the first completely original Sublime track since their life-changing self-titled album from 1996.
The eponymous “Sublime” would cement the band’s legacy as superstars with singles like “Jailhouse,” “Burritos,” “Garden Grove,” “Santeria,” “Caress Me Down,” “What I Got,” “Wrong Way,” “April 29, 1992 (Miami),” and “Doin’ Time.”
These songs became the soundtrack to ‘90s alternative rock, but especially in Southern California, where they still get played every single day.
Just two months before “Sublime” was released, lead singer Bradley Nowell tragically passed away and the band broke up soon afterwards, before they got to truly experience their fullest potential.
Drummer Bud Gaugh and bassist Eric Wilson would briefly reunite with a new lead singer and guitarist, Rome Ramirez, under the moniker Sublime with Rome.
They would release “Yours Truly” in 2011, a solid ska-reggae album capturing many of the same vibes as the original Sublime band. Gaugh would dip out shortly after this album until the band discontinued in 2024.
In December of 2023 Gaugh and Wilson would again reunite at a benefit concert for Bad Brains lead singer, H.R. This time, however, they were fronted by Jakob Nowell, Brad Nowell’s son on guitar and vocals.
Photo by Joey Clark
Following the success of this show the reunited Sublime played two weekends at Coachella in 2024 to massive media buzz.
Between then and the hereafter, we got a taste of what was in store for Sublime fans worldwide. The gift was a project with Stick Figure.
Complimented by long ago recorded vocals by Bradley and now with his son Jakob, the tandem would be a savory backdrop. And just like that, we got “Feel Like That.”
At the time, the plan was only to play a few shows with this revised lineup, but ultimately several jam sessions eventually led to writing new songs. The rest is what would ultimately become “Until the Sun Explodes.”
Until the Sun Explodes
“Ensenada,” the album’s first track, broke a Billboard record, spending 28 weeks at number one on the Rock & Alternative chart last year.
This past March the band released the self-titled track for the album, which reached number one on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay.
And yet, there’s been a viral buzz since Nowell’s recent statement on the band’s future. Despite all the media inflamed distraction, Nowell seems optimistic about future gigs with Sublime.
Nowell said, “Unless a child of mine wants to make another one one day, [‘Until the Sun Explodes’] is the last [album] I’m gonna make.” Although he is grateful for everything that the album allowed – including healing the relationship with his father and growing as an entertainer – Nowell says this album is a one and done.
But fret not; no one knows what the future holds. This album itself was never supposed to happen and look where we are. A full Sublime album no one ever thought possible, and instant success with the first two singles. In addition, a whole slew of shows scheduled for the rest of the year.
So, rather than worry about whether or not another album will follow, let’s just sit back enjoy this one along with the rest of their discography and get prepared to catch them when they roll into your town.
TO FOLLOW
SID 260616 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
