Rock stardom and fatherhood aren’t always easy to balance. For Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh, the contrasting roles led to a humorous interaction with his 8 year-old son.
During a conversation with The Pier, Gaugh expressed solidarity with parents who struggle with determining what is – and isn’t – appropriate lyrical content for their kids to hear.
“I totally get it,” the founding Sublime member admitted before sharing a personal anecdote from his own life.
Originally released in 1991, “Date Rape” was the first Sublime song to garner significant radio airplay. The tune tells the cautionary tale of a woman who is forced into nonconsensual sex by a man she meets at a bar. This serious subject matter is juxtaposed by the song’s energetic ska-punk style, making it incredibly catchy despite the serious narrative.
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Given the subject matter, some fans have bristled with “Date Rape.” It’s certainly not the first Sublime track parents would play for their kids, which is what makes Gaugh’s personal experience all the more relatable.
“I have an 8 year-old who’s blaring music in the shower, getting ready for school” the drummer recalled, thinking back to a morning not long ago. “And I go down there and what is he listening to? ‘Date Rape.’”
Gaugh’s initial reaction was “Oh my God,” but he quickly saw the humor of the situation. “It’s like, what are you gonna do? It’s life. It’s real. They’re gonna hear it. They’re gonna experience it. What better way to do that than with the people they love and respect.”
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Elsewhere in the interview, Gaugh admitted he waited many years before telling his kids about his place in music history.
“I kinda didn’t really share that with them for the longest time,” he explained. “Actually my daughter was on a sleepover, she’s my oldest, and she was on a sleepover and came home and was like, ‘Dad why didn’t you tell me!?’ It’s like, ‘Well uh… because I’m just Dad.'”
