It’s hard to believe it’s been over 14 years since Bradley Nowell passed away, shortly before the release of Sublime’s self-titled major label debut.  If only he had been alive to witness the commercial success his band would later achieve, one that still earns steady radio play, while their catalog has been milked dry with three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums, three EPs and one box set.  Nowell would also been keen to know that his band would become so popular that it would spawn the popular Sublime cover band Badfish

Formed in 2001 at the University of Rhode Island, Badfish began playing local Rhode Island clubs and soon continued touring the East Coast and Midwest, gaining a rapid following amongst fans who didn’t see Sublime prior to Nowell’s untimely death.  Badfish consists of Joel Hanks (bass), Scott Begin(drums), Pat Downes (vocals, guitar) and Dorian Duffy (keys, guitar, samples). Glide recently talked to Badfish prior to a  Vermont show to find out amongst other things, how the original two-thirds of Sublime touring as with Sublime with Rome has affected Badfish’s road draw.

How has Sublime Influenced you in a non-musical way?

Pat:  The relationship is all intentionally musical. When you find a new band the first thing is what you are hearing. We are musicians by nature so naturally that is the influence that comes out. They were pioneers at what they did and that obviously had an influence on us.

What are some of your favorite Sublime songs to play?

Pat: “Seed” off the self-titled album, it’s a short song but it had so many little songs in it. One minute you think I’ts a slow reggae and then picks up to crazy punk, and then back and forth. I like songs like that. As far as performing a song, the crowd kind of dictates what the best song of the night is going to be. If the crowd is feeling a song and then something else the next night that is going to be the favorite song to be playing.  LIke I said we are musicians and playing music is fun no matter what.

What is one of the biggest compliments you have received about your music?

Dorian: The most common is "good job" but…..the shocker is always when we are performing our originals or Sublime tunes when you talk to someone afterwards and the music had an effect on them, or when they listen to it another time it helps them out or influences them to do something good. They are at the show in the first place and so if they come back.

How is the fact that Sublime with Rome has been touring affected Badfish as a band?

Joel: It hasn’t. I have not seen any direct affect. I think it’s great because it brings that music back into the spotlight, it’s such popular music and they have so many fans. They are not in Burlington tonight and we are and so we are going to have fun and play that music and celebrate it. They are musical heroes of mine so it is great see them playing again.  I love seeing those guys play and will listen to whatever they have to play.

What are some ways you connect with your audience and make each show unique?

Dorian: Every night is different. With our show we take pride in kind of being younger guys and having a lot of energy to put out. If you put a bunch of different people in a room, they are all here for the same reason as the people the night before, but it’s a different place, it’s a different time. Something is going to happen. We always try to keep the reaction between the crowd and the band open. We like to have fun in the moment. We try to play the Sublime recordings as close as possible but add in some extended jams, we will have guest musicians come out to play, we will also switch instruments. When you get into the realm of improvisation, it’s never going to be the same thing twice. From a performing aspect, it’s always going to be different and unique.

Take us through the first time you remember hearing Sublime?

Pat: A friend of mine was in a punk band, and I was totally into punk and ska music at the time he introduced me to a copy of  copy of 40oz. To Freedom.  Do you remember Columbia House when you could buy all those CDs for like $1, and he checked off a bunch of them and when they came in we just sat down and listened to them all, the Sublime one came up and it just stuck around after that we got deeper into the Sublime catalog. -Pat

Dorian: I was in elementary school, a friend’s brother who was pretty hip to what was going on at the time, sat us down to listen to Sublime. From a younger kids stand point, it was cool music there was a little vulgar to it and some truth to it. I didn’t start to really listen to on my own till about a month later.


What is one of the craziest experiences that has ever happened to you on the road?

When I got punched in the face on stage. It was the first song of the night, and there was a schizophrenic guy who came to the show with his sister, but he was not supposed to be out in public. He looked up on stage and thought I was the guy who slept with his wife and jumped on stage and punched me in the face, but as it turned out he was not even married.

If you were not a musician what would be your job?

Joel: A college professor doing computer science, that was my major.
Pat:  Whatever else would make me happy, I do this because it makes me happy!

It’s a relaxing Sunday morning, what album are you listening to?

Dorian: I would be creating new Sunday morning albums
Joel:   Bob Marley, Peter Tosh
    
I am most grateful for…..

Joel: My wife
Pat: The opportunity to be doing what I am doing and not have to answer question eight

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