The band Sublime disbanded in May 1996 after lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Brad Nowell died. In the spirit of that band comes Badfish -a Sublime tribute band.
Sublime began in California, but Badfish, which formed in the spring of 2001, met at the University of Rhode Island in computer class. After toying with original material, the members decided to become a tribute band. Drummer Scott Begin said they found a common interest in Sublime and wanted to breathe life back into the defunct band's fusion of rock, reggae and hip hop.
The tribute band, consisting of drummer Begin, base guitarist Joel Hanks and lead guitarist and vocalist Dave Ladin, named themselves after the song Badfish because of the party connotation of the song and lyrics are you a badfish?
We decided it was the quintessential Sublime song and it gives the vibe that people should expect to have a good time when they see us live
Begin said.
Badfish heavily promoted its first show at the Ocean Mist, a local bar in Matunuck, R.I., and, to the band's surprise, sold out the venue.
It was way more successful than we thought it would be Begin said. It was like playing a show as if you had already achieved success as an original band.
Since graduation and achieving local fame, Badfish began touring around the New England area to keep the Sublime sound alive. Badfish, despite only being a 3-piece, plays a blend of Sublime's catalogue to give their crowd the full Badfish experience.
They've always been in a class of their own with solid and soulful songwriting but they include that party vibe as well
Begin said. They incorporate all sounds and genres and I think that is the reason the appeal remains.
The band will be performing in Athens at 10 tonight at the Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St.
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Blake Gillespie
