Sublime is officially back in the studio, cooking up their first full-length album since 1996 — and they’re tapping in with two notorious heavy hitters along the way, Travis Barker and John Feldmann.
The iconic Long Beach trio has joined forces with the blink-182 drummer and the Goldfinger frontman, marking a significant moment in the band’s evolution as they honor the past while stepping into a bold new chapter.
At the core of this revival is Jakob Nowell, son of late Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell, who made his official debut fronting the band at Coachella 2024. Since then, Jakob, along with original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, has performed at over 20 major festivals, made their late-night television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and released “Feel Like That,” a powerful father-son duet that earned the band their first top 10 alternative radio hit since 1997.
The Sublime-Barker-Feldmann collaboration isn’t about modernizing the band’s sound — it’s about authenticity. Jakob emphasized that the goal isn’t to recreate what Sublime would sound like in 2025, but rather to honor what made the original music timeless. Working alongside producer Jon Joseph, the team is methodically crafting new tracks using a “spell book” of past Sublime recordings — dissecting chord progressions, melodies, lyrics, and themes to stay true to the band’s eclectic roots.
In between studio sessions, Jakob’s been immersing himself in the same influences that shaped his father’s vision — from Bad Brains and the Minutemen to old-school reggae, Eazy-E, and Butthole Surfers. That deep dive has sparked a new creative energy that feels both familiar and fresh. And now, Jakob is digging deep
into the Sublime catalog, embracing his father’s legacy with the help of Barker and Feldmann. “This is going to be really special,” said Barker. “Bradley comes through his son Jakob. Chills every day in the studio when he sings and plays guitar.” Feldmann echoed the sentiment, calling the project “inspirational and game-changing.” The first single is slated to drop this summer under the newly established Sublime Recordings imprint and SVN/BVRNT Records, setting the tone for what’s expected to be one of the most talked-about releases of the year. Tour dates are already stacking up, with appearances at Red Rocks, BottleRock Napa Valley, and BeachLife Festival.
With Jakob Nowell leading Sublime, the helm and the guiding hands of Travis Barker and John Feldmann, this project is shaping up to be more than just a reunion — it’s a resurrection. The myth of Sublime is being honored not with mimicry, but with meaning, passion, and purpose.
This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s the next evolution of a band whose legacy never left — it’s just been waiting for the right moment, and the right voices, to rise again.
