Monday, December 21, 2009

REFORMED SUBLIME

Sublime, the chart-topping Long Beach-based punk reggae group that split-up more than 13 years ago when its lead singer OD'd, will play its first official gig with a new vocalist as part of the Smokeout festival, to be held Oct. 23-24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre in San Bernardino, Calif.

Slipknot, Deftones, Cypress Hill, Geto Boys, Goodie Mob, Pennywise, Redman & Method Man, Kottonmouth Kings and Bad Brains, among others, will perform across three stages at Cypress Hill's revamped event meant to raise awareness about the cannabis counter-culture.

Sublime's original lead singer, Bradley Nowell, died of a drug overdose in 1996 just as the band was achieving its biggest mainstream success. Surviving members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson went on to form the Long Beach Dub All Stars, but earlier this year played a gig with Northern California-based singer Rome that Gaugh later called a Sublime reunion.

Hosted by comedic duo Cheech and Chong, the Guerilla Union-produced event will also feature appearances by Immortal Technique, Hieroglyphics, K'Naan, Living Legends, B Real, Mix Master Mike, Devin the Dude, DJ Muggs, Dirty Heads, Swollen Members, Big B, Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Reza, Lenny V, Barry Weaver and ShortDawg Tha Native, with more to be announced.