Sublime Stand By Your Van Live CD

Parental Advisory

Sublime: Brad Nowell (vocals, guitar); Eric Wilson (bass); Bud Gaugh (drums).
Sublime: Brad Norwell (vocals, guitar); Eric Wilson (bass); Bud Gaugh (drums).
Personnel: Brad Nowell (vocals, guitar); Bud Gaugh (drums).
Audio Remixers: Eddie Ashworth; Miguel Amador.
Liner Note Author: Jr Griffin.
Recording information: Hou (09/09/1994-04/??/1996); Kommotion, San Francisco, CA (09/09/1994-04/??/1996); Palace, Hollywood, CA (09/09/1994-04/??/1996); Place, Hollywood, CA (09/09/1994-04/??/1996); Tressel Tavern, Everett, WA (09/09/1994-04/??/1996); Tressel Traven, Everett, WA (09/09/1994-04/??/1996); Warped Tour, Asbury Park, NJ (09/09/1994-04/??/1996).
Photographers: Bret Langford; Miguel Amador; Jim Gray.
A little over two years after Bradley Nowell's tragic death, Sublime released its second posthumous album, Stand by Your Van. Sublime never had the chance to tour the material from Sublime, which turned out to be their most popular album. That means that all 16 tracks on Stand by Your Van are taken from their first two albums, before Nowell's songwriting had truly come into its own. Nevertheless, he had several good songs on 40 Oz. to Freedom and Robbin' the Hood, and by consolidating the best moments from those two relatively uneven albums, the live record offers something of a "greatest hits" of their early years. If the performances aren't that different from the studio versions -- they're simply a little rawer, a little faster, a little looser -- they're still strong and energetic, capturing the essence of the group's live show. Ultimately, that energy is what makes Stand by Your Van the best posthumous Sublime record to date. Nobody outside of hardcore fans needs this record, but the quality of the music is better than either the What I Got... EP or the haphazard outtakes album Second Hand Smoke, and that alone makes its release somewhat noteworthy. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Recorded live in various clubs before the band had their major breakthrough, STAND BY YOUR VAN is a collection of early songs unfamiliar to most novice fans of Sublime. What you hear is the good-spirited party-vibe of Brad Nowell before his untimely death. On the verge of greatness at the time of these recordings, Nowell and the band run through 16 songs including a track that pays homage to hip-hop legend KRS-One.
By combining ska, punk, reggae, hip-hop and dub, Sublime would have Rastas grooving, southern California punks moshing and beach bunnies soaking it up all at the same time. The vibe on all of these recordings reflects the love, respect and warmth that each and every Sublime show possessed. Tracks were recorded at Kommotion (San Fransisco), The Palace (Hollywood), House of Blues (Hollywood) and the WARPED Tour (Asbury Park, NJ) from September 1994 to April 1996. Check out the non-stop party with songs like "New Thrash," "Greatest Hits" and "S.T.P."
Recorded live in various clubs before the band had their major breakthrough, STAND BY YOUR VAN is a collection of early songs unfamiliar to most novice fans of Sublime. What you hear is the good-spirited party-vibe of Brad Nowell before his untimely death. On the verge of greatness at the time of these recordings, Nowell and the band run through 16 songs including a track that pays homage to hip-hop legend KRS-One.
By combining ska, punk, reggae, hip-hop and dub, Sublime would have Rastas grooving, southern California punks moshing and beach bunnies soaking it up all at the same time. The vibe on all of these recordings reflects the love, respect and warmth that each and every Sublime show possessed. Tracks were recorded at Kommotion (San Fransisco), The Palace (Hollywood), House of Blues (Hollywood) and the WARPED Tour (Asbury Park, NJ) from September 1994 to April 1996. Check out the non-stop party with songs like "New Thrash," "Greatest Hits" and "S.T.P."

Spin (10/98, p.147) - 7 (out of 10) - "...as necrophiliac exploitation goes, SUBLIME LIVE isn't half bad: Nowell's unruly genius stumbles through..."
Spin (10/98, p.147) - 7 (out of 10) - "...as necrophiliac exploitation goes, SUBLIME LIVE isn't half bad: Nowell's unruly genius stumbles through..."
Entertainment Weekly (7/17/98, p.84) - "...expect to be impressed with the way these well-recorded, beer-saturated club cuts capture the late Brad Nowell's endearing jerk charm and the band's stage power....Too bad Nowell's references to substance excess dampen some of the spirit..." - Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly (7/17/98, p.84) - "...expect to be impressed with the way these well-recorded, beer-saturated club cuts capture the late Brad Nowell's endearing jerk charm and the band's stage power....Too bad Nowell's references to substance excess dampen some of the spirit..." - Rating: A-