Sublime Signs With Atlantic Records After Independent Radio Success

Sublime has officially inked a partnership with Atlantic Records, marking a significant move after their independently released single "Ensenada" dominated Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart for eight consecutive weeks.

The Southern California trio, consisting of Bud Gaugh, Eric Wilson, and frontman Jakob Nowell, is set to release their first full-length album with Nowell later this year. This deal follows the band's strategy of independently releasing recent singles through Sublime Recordings, in partnership with Regime Music Group, while retaining ownership of their masters and managing their marketing and radio promotion internally.

That strategy paid off handsomely. "Ensenada," released under Nowell’s SVNBVRNT venture, not only topped Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart for eight weeks but also surpassed their previous record set by "What I Got," which held the top spot for three weeks.

Prior to "Ensenada", their collaboration with Stick Figure on "Feel Like That" spent eight weeks in the Top 10 on Alternative Airplay.

According to manager Kevin Zinger, the band’s independent approach was a deliberate choice. "When Sublime began releasing new music, I sat down with the band and our team at Regime and we made a very intentional decision to release the first few singles ourselves... Most importantly, we wanted the band to stay in control of their music."

Zinger added, "That success brought a wave of calls about the album’s future... After meeting with Atlantic, we all walked out knowing we had found the right home."

Frontman Jakob Nowell shared his signature humor regarding the signing: "Atlantic told us that if we signed with them they would pay for my experimental cosmetic surgery to have the body of a goat and the head of a goat... We’re gonna change California music history or die trying."

Drummer Bud Gaugh reflected on the label’s legacy: "You have no idea how many records I had growing up as a kid watching them spin around and around with the Atlantic Records label on them... I am beyond excited to announce this partnership with Atlantic Records and Sublime!!"

Bassist Eric Wilson added, "So great to partner with Atlantic Records finally! I’m excited about our new album; it truly is an organic Sublime album…can’t wait for people to hear it."

Joe Escalante, who co-manages the band alongside Zinger, emphasized that the decision was about alignment: "After meeting with Atlantic, we all looked at each other and knew – these are the people."

From Atlantic’s perspective, Johnny Minardi stated: "Sublime’s impact on music and culture is undeniable, and this next chapter carries the same fearless punk rock ethos that made them iconic."

Founded in Long Beach in 1988 by Wilson, Gaugh and the late Bradley Nowell, Sublime’s 1996 self-titled album achieved 5x Platinum status. In 2026, the band will celebrate the 30th anniversary of this iconic album with two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (April 17-18) and launch its own touring festival brand, Sublime Me Gusta, debuting May 9 in Fort Worth, Texas.

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