When musicians Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh announced that they would be appearing as part of the Cypress Hill Smokeout Festival (which began on Saturday,) fans were heady with anticipation, especially when Gaugh referred to the concert as the "reunion" of Sublime. Although the band lost its original lead singer, Bradley Nowell to a drug overdose in 1996, surviving members Wilson and Gaugh have continued to perform - they even created the Long Beach Dub Allstars as a tribute to their fallen brother, but have never resuscitated the Sublime moniker until recently, when they recruited newcomer Rome Ramirez as their new lead vocalist.
The group played a small venue with Ramirez prior to this weekend's Smokeout gig, where Gaugh made the official announcement that Sublime had returned. Now comes news from the estate of Bradley Nowell (represented by attorneys for Nowell's family,) that if the trio continue to bill themselves as Sublime, they will be sued. What's even more disturbing is that the estate posted this statement on the official Sublime Myspace page: "Prior to his untimely passing, both Bud and Eric acknowledged that Brad Nowell was the sole owner of the name Sublime. It was Brad's expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark 'Sublime' under his own name."
The statement goes on to say, "We wholeheartedly supported Bud, Eric and the many talented members of the Sublime posse that formed the Long Beach Dub All-Stars, soon after Brad's death, to honor him through their original recordings, live performances and Sublime music until they disbanded in 2001. But, out of respect for Brad's wishes, we have always refused to endorse any group performing as 'Sublime,' and now with great reluctance feel compelled to take the appropriate legal action to protect Brad's legacy." Billboard, which first reported this story has contacted representatives for Wilson, Gaugh, and Ramirez for their reaction to the pending litigation, but so far have received no response.
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