Is Sublime releasing a new album with Travis Barker? Everything to know about their first record since 1996

The ska punk band Sublime is all set to release its first single from its upcoming album this summer.

The band's original lineup included Bradley Nowell, the lead singer and guitarist, Bud Gaugh, the drummer, and Eric Wilson, the bassist.

Travis Barker will help produce the new album and is teaming up with John Feldmann, the lead singer of Goldfinger. The news of the new album comes nearly thirty years after their first album release. The group disbanded in 1996 after the death of Bradley Nowell.

Sublime's first album release since 1996

After Bradley died in 1996 from a heroin overdose, the group split up. Two months after Bradley's death, the band's self-titled album Sublime was released. It featured their hit tracks like Wrong Way, What I Got, and Santeria.

The revelation of the upcoming new album came in late 2023 when it was reported that Bradley's son, Jakob, was leading the newly active group. Jakob joined the two producers, Travis and John, along with the original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh.

In 2023, John performed first time at the benefit concert for a punk band called Bad Brains. Then in 2024, he performed at Coachella.

Per LA Times, Travis shared in a statement how he felt about producing the new album. He said that he grew up listening to Sublime and that it changed the way he listened to music.

Speaking of how it was to have Jakob leading the band, Travis said:

''Bradley comes through his son Jakob. Chills every day in the studio when he sings and plays guitar.''

Jakob expressed how he feels about working with Travis and others on the new project. He said:

''Travis is an old-school fan and scholar of the Sublime catalog. They feel like family members now too, man. There was that feeling from everyone that what we’re doing here is something generational and special on an emotional, spiritual, familial level.''

In 2009, Bud and Eric wanted to reform the band with Rome Ramirez, a singer and guitarist. However, they were banned from performing under Sublime's name as it needed permission from the Nowells' estate. Hence, they modified the name to 'Sublime with Rome' and released their first album, Yours Truly, in 2011.

However, Bud Gaugh left the band in 2011, and by the end of 2024, 'Sublime with Rome' was disbanded, with Eric also announcing his departure.

Addressing fans' concern about whether the new album release with Travis is going to be an imitation of the band's original music, Jakob said that with the new project, their goal is to honor and respect the original music of the band. Sublime was well-known in the US back in the day for their albums including 40oz. to Freedom, and Robbin' the Hood.