By: Chelsea Schneider (University At Buffalo)
When I was eleven years old I first began listening to Sublime. Since then I was convinced that I would never have the precious chance to hear them perform live. Lucky for me the remaining members Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) heard our prayers and began touring on April 20, 2010. However one question kept popping up in the back of my mind, who will replace the irreplaceable Bradley Nowell?
When tickets went on sale for the Summer 2010 tour I noticed that Sublime was not just Sublime anymore, now they were Sublime with Rome. But who was Rome? I was slightly skeptical at first because I had never heard of Rome before, but I did not doubt that Wilson and Gaugh knew what they were doing and that they were not just going to perform with anyone. So I got out my credit card and ordered a couple tickets for the Nikon at Jones Beach show on July 20th.
After several months of anticipation and several hours of drinking heavily in the parking lot it was finally time to make our way to our seats and see what Rome was all about. They started off strong with Date Rape, one of my personal favorites and they exceeded my expectations. I never thought someone could sound so much like Nowell, yet very unique in his own right. Rome was also very solid on the guitar and his energy and enthusiasm insured no one would be in their seat. As I looked out at the theatre, I knew that everyone there had been waiting for this night for 14 years. Everyone was on there feet dancing and there were clouds of smoke filling the night sky.
Of course it wasn’t exactly the Sublime I have been listening to for the past eight years, but I wasn’t expecting that. Like I said, no one could ever replace Nowell and that is not Rome’s intention. He grew up as a fan; idolizing Bradley Nowell and wanting to be just like him. It must be pretty frickin surreal to actually be performing his music with his band. I have to give him credit though; he definitely pleased a tough crowd.
