Badfish, an East Coast cult favorite tribute band to reggae rock legend Sublime, has just set off on their Gold Tour with a stop at The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville this Wednesday. Each show they play is unique with their own setlist twists and spontaneous stage presence, but they all share the same purpose — to serve as a testament to the impact of an incredible band in an exciting new way.
Badfish co-founder and drummer Scott Begin said that the appeal of playing Sublime’s music has remained timeless, meaning that all people can enjoy it.
“People always ask — ‘Does it get tiring, does it get boring, to keep playing the same music?’ And it truly doesn’t,” Begin said.
Five years after the tragic death of Sublime lead singer Bradley Nowell, Begin formed Badfish in 2001 along with fellow University of Rhode Island student Joel Hanks as a tribute to the popular 90s staple in American musical history. For over 20 years, Badfish has been shredding it on United States tours, with a rotating group of band members but an ever-present mission to keep the spirit of Sublime alive — even implementing some originals in recent years.
Founded in 1988 in Long Beach, California, Sublime released four studio albums, up until 1996. Channeling inspiration from all different sorts of genres including reggae rock, punk and ska, their music flourishes with syncopated melodies and vibrantly electric harmonies. The band still continues to play today with their former lead singer's son, Jakob Nowell, as their front man. Over 30 years later, Sublime’s discography has remained beloved in the American music scene, thanks to their unique sound and lyrical prowess.
Badfish drummer Scott Begin believes that the genius of Sublime’s music can withstand the test of time — striking chords in all ages.
“I think the beauty of what [Sublime] has done, and the legacy of their music, is that their music still resonates today and is the kind of thing that gets passed down from generation to generation,” Begin said.
Badfish’s live shows are revered for their electric atmosphere, reminiscent of Sublime’s own performances. Mixing classic Sublime hits with lesser-known songs and their own original pieces, Badfish always keeps the audience on their toes — making for a very memorable night.
“It's a lot of Sublime music, but there's a lot of curve balls that we throw in there too, and we’re just really having a blast on stage,” Begin said.
At every show, Badfish aims to give everyone in the audience the best night of their lives — and they feel confident about their ability to accomplish their goal. The band’s genuine love and respect of Sublime’s art, combined with their talent and amazing chemistry as a group, naturally lends to an exciting, all-out rock show that leaves the crowd chanting for more.
“The hope is that the fun we're having up there performing these songs sort of spills out into the crowd,” Begin said.
In typical reggae and ska fashion, Badfish does not shy away from improvisation, whether it manifests in the form of a spontaneous new drum solo, an unexpected new jam section of a song or interaction with the crowd.
“We like to keep things loose on stage to leave room for exploring where a song might go, but then we always find our way back to the radio hits eventually,” Begin said. “We’re always looking for new things to do to keep the crowd interested.”
Badfish’s eternal experimentation led them in a new direction in 2023, when they took a step back from their typical live covers and took to the studio to release their first original single with the hip-hop duo Little Stranger, titled “High With You.” They released a second single this past September with another hip-hop artist, Grieves. “F You Pay Me” which is inspired by Sublime’s sound but layered with Badfish’s own unique twists of classic hip-hop motifs.
Current Badfish guitarist Pat Downes and trumpeter Danny Torgersen have taken the lyrical lead as songwriters for the latest group, and thanks to them, the band’s venture into uncharted territory has begun to pay off.
“They started putting some demos together about a year ago, and we just really liked the direction that they were taking,” Begin said. “It felt like a natural progression to really put some effort into releasing original material, and it's been really fun to do so.”
Even as they step into original music, Badfish remains a powerful tribute dedicated to preserving the legacy of Sublime almost 30 years after the end of the original band.
“We are so fortunate to be able to help carry on the legacy of this incredible music,” Begin said.
Badfish is all set to rock the Jefferson Theater 8 p.m. Wednesday, and it is shaping up to be a cannot miss show for fans of Sublime, ska or just live music.
Read More
Springing into the semester's styles
By CC West | 11 hours agoAll of these classic clothing items can best be obtained by a trip to the local vintage or thrift store.
“Comedy Holy Trinity” delivers a divinely hilarious start to the semester
By Emily Pitts | YesterdayThis dedication to the craft, shared by all the comedy groups, reflects the committed and interconnected nature of the University’s comedy community.
On Repeat: Pop princess rewind
By Abigail Milne | 2 days agoThis playlist rewinds back to 2020 to highlight early hits from some of today’s biggest pop stars.
