Sublime - Badfish (REACTION!)

[@chriscrim751]

You guys need to dig deep into Sublime. They are So Cal lifestyle epitomized to the locals. It is local music for sure. Bradley's lyrics are totally autobiographical. He references and samples so much of classic Ska and reggae. I hope you guys explore Sublime more...when you get into it, there's a whole subgenre of So Cal reggae bands that are awesome. Even bands from out of state emulate the sound. Stick Figure will blow your minds. Rebelution is rad, same with Tribal Seeds, a band from my city of Oceanside. The drummer from Tribal Seeds went on to play with Sublime with Rome.

[@melissaparsons6575]

I agree with everything you said.

[@lau2616]

Slightly stoopid, Pepper.

[@consuelaluna1414]

Hire, ballyhoo, dirty heads

[@heatherhobbit2931]

Just go down the ska rabbit hole. The Selecter, The Specials, Let's Go Bowling, all influenced Sublime.

[@heatherhobbit2931]

Skankin Pickle. Pretty please! Sublime opened for them on a tour in the early 90's

[@TheMrSnuffy]

I believe a "badfish" is someone who introduces someone to drugs, specifically heroin.

[@jalaimo1126]

Correct. Sounds like a happy song but it about his heroin addiction

[@jonathanaldecoa1099]

Yeah bro. Brad RIP.

[@rdj0981]

I've been listening to this song since the 90s as a love song, but I never knew it was about heroin. Ignorance is bliss I guess. Sucks when so many incredible songs are related to drugs. RIP Bradley.

[@joealonzo6857]

Bingo.

[@joealonzo6857]

Also worth noting is their use of the phrases "duck diving" and "reef." They're both surfing terms. Duck diving is a technique that surfers use to literally dive under oncoming waves that aren't good to surf. A reef is an artificial structure that makes better waves to surf. The lyrics "Grab the reef when all duck diving fails," and then later, "I dive deep when it's 10 feet overhead/Grab the reef underneath my bed," along with the term "badfish" heavily imply that this song is about heroin or whatever someone's drug of choice is. Life is the oncoming wave and Nowell doesn't want to face it. First he tries duck diving to get out of its way, but when that fails, he grabs the reef (his drug) to make the wave better. He says the reef (his stash) is underneath his bed. Some really dark lyrics in a song that feels pure chill. But that's kind of what heroin (Nowell's drug of choice) is. The world can be collapsing around you, but as long as you're on it, everything feels so perfect and right.

[@travisligocki]

Same in the End is one of the tracks I absolutely suggest! Caress Me Down, Pawnshop and April 26th, 1992 are classic Sublime tracks.

[@davidday9967]

Same in the end is my favorite. Such a sick song

[@Beginningtopeak]

Same in the end is the best

[@sianao4057]

Caress me down! 🤙🏼

[@bangoskank493]

The song is technically called - Miami (April 26th 1992).

[@NS1.]

​@@bangoskank493 - Actually it's called 'April 29th 1992 (Miami)', which was the first day of the riots. He mistakenly said 26th, but they decided to keep it.

[@AmericaFirst-1]

i think yall would love pawn shop or summer time(actual title called Doin time but we all call it summertime) by sublime. they are classic grooves. also check out ''Jane says'' by jane's addiction...an absolute master piece! anyways enjoy :)

[@dananewsom5483]

I especially like the eerie splendor mix of doin time

[@jacobleblanc7137]

Also agreed 👍

[@potatos_4_free]

Pawn Shop is awesome but don't forget Jailhouse and Garden Grove. Very groovy stuff!

[@dananewsom5483]

@@merklevision yeah, I've got it on second hand smoke. Had the CD years ago but now just a digital copy

[@ron8162]

also Santeria, my favorite

[@Yeetus223]

I still remember the day my father came home late telling me the day Bradley died. My father was at the bar drinking with the band manager. Apparently he (the manager) was really torn up and kept on saying that they (the band) “were just about to make it”. It was a pretty sad day for sure.

[@rsohlich1]

The timing couldn't have been worse

[@christopheralvarez1901]

Saw someone mention 311's Beautiful Disaster on Patreon and thought that was a brilliant shout, along with 3 Days by Jane's Addiction

[@zhegwood]

3 Days is epic.

[@chiclete1981]

I think they'd like 8:16 am even more

[@sharinglungs3226]

Have they done any 311 before? Wouldn’t mind if they dive into the first two albums.

[@springer90]

311>>>>>>Sublime!

[@springer90]

@@sharinglungs3226 they did Too Late when that song was released. That reaction was a joke!

[@PurpleLEANKrabs]

This song is about his addiction which eventually led to his death. Its more a cry for help Not a happy song

[@powercityeatery264]

“I swim, but I wish I’d never learned. The waters too polluted with germs”

[@dananewsom5483]

I'm so happy you guys finally got to Sublime! I love this band. They've always been my happy music 😊

[@chrismouton1985]

My my my, you guys took me down memory lane! I absolutely love Sublime!

[@Barren-MIND]

A main factor in understanding the feel/vibe of the song is to identify the things that were going on in the artist's lives, the city/environment they grew up in as well as their tone. Growing up in southern california, i never got vacation vibes from this song. I got the getting high/skateboarding/partying on the beach vibe. 🤷‍♂️

[@nashbruce4196]

This

[@jdfox37]

Yeah I always find it funny people think of vacation with sublime, I hear the punk and drugs and grime below the reggae groove

[@jb7250]

I'll echo what others have said and you should check out Doin' Time (Summertime). It has a wonderful catchy groove and it my favorite Sublime song.

[@raymondproseus6923]

Caress Me Down! Such a badass song!

[@bryangiron5354]

Love this song but it’s lowkey sketch if you listen to the lyrics lol

[@RinniePere]

Gotta learn Spanish 😅

[@MrKrushgutz]

One of Sublime’s best

[@tiacalhoun3841]

Yesssssssss

[@ryanandyoutube]

This song and the lyrics reflect Bradley's heroin addiction, "get me off this reef" "underneath my bed" just some examples.

[@bugguana]

One of the best blends of musical styles by one band, ever. Not just this song, but everything they did

[@skins28dg]

Some other Sublime to check out is Doin' Time (Summertime), Wrong Way, Saw Red (with Gwen Stefani), Date Rape, Caress Me Down, April 29, 1992. That last one is about the LA Riots after the Rodney King judgment.

[@werekief29]

April 29, 1992 should have been a way bigger hit than it was

[@steveblankenship1742]

Doin time and April 29th were epic

[@bangoskank493]

The song is called - Miami (April 26th 1992) And it’s not just about the L.A. riots, but riots all over the country that year, the title of the song referring to the riots in South Florida after hurricane Andrew.

[@RunsLikeMays]

Sublime also has a strong Hip Hop influence in their music. You can listen to songs and get random drops from Public Enemy, Beastie Boys or KRS-One. To hear this, you guys should check out "April 29th, 1992 (Miami)", as it probably best captures this energy.

[@davidday9967]

As long as I'm alive I'm gonna live ill e gall 😎

[@barklordofthesith2997]

@@davidday9967 You want to be a sick bird?

[@lakeshoresubtleties]

Or the song that's just called KRS-One...

[@elgonwilliams7624]

This was the class song for one of my kids when they graduated from High School. When she told me that, I laughed my ass off.

[@matthewchance8835]

From songfacts: On occasion, when playing this song live, lead singer Bradley Nowell would sing: "Lord knows I'm weak, won't somebody get me off of this tweek?" which implies that the song is about trying to kick addiction, with the "Big, blue whale" being the drug, thus: "I swim, but I wish I'd never learned." Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996. A "Badfish" is a term used to describe a person who exposes someone else to heroin for the first time.

[@inspectorconscious2388]

Was it just heroin or opiates as well?

[@Benjabum]

@@inspectorconscious2388 Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate. HUH?

[@CarbonComs]

@@Benjabum Damn he's just asking if badfish is a specific term for heroin or opiates in general. Has nothing to do with heroin's drug classification.

[@grantdowns7688]

I've been watching yall for years and I dont know if I've been this stoked for a song reaction. One of my favorite songs of all time. Thanks guys

[@yt4joe]

One of my favs too.

[@grizzlywarehouse7138]

Of course bro, Classic

[@SeanD313]

George keeps saying he wants to get into ska more. Well, you guys just did! 👍 Sublime's style covered a range which included both reggae and ska, among other things, but this song is absolutely ska. The drums and bass are playing a straight rhythm, with the drums accenting the 2 and 4... Compare that to reggae, where the rhythm has a pronounced "bounce" to it because the bass and drums play in a more "back-and-forth" way, and the main accent on the drums is usually on the 3.

[@FreeMTrider]

When that 3 grabs you, you got it

[@NicoHafu]

Sublime April 29th, 1992 or Pawn Shop~ Love this song but it has no punches check out their others.

[@monsterkxf]

Best song ever 🤘🤘 Fighting addiction is nearly impossible 😢 RIP Brad

[@nancywade3428]

Just got tickets to see Sublime with Rome in April at the best venue .. 1st row..Red Rocks in Colorado, Rome is good.. they play all kinds of the Original Sublime music and they do it justice. I saw Sublime with Bradley in Huntington Beach CA at a beach bar in 1992. RIP Bradley!!!

[@AroundTheHorn1]

BadFish = A person with Alcohol problems. The things that make him drink. Polluted water, growing old, etc....

[@orbitaljunkie]

It isn't specific to alcohol. Drugs in general. More closely related to heroin with Bradley Nowell.

[@RinniePere]

Love this song. Just about everything off 40 oz of Freedom makes me happy. Such a good album.

[@danielmcbride1619]

Sublime was my theme music in high school in the 90’s

[@chrisgomez8747]

Sublime, (don't push )or (get ready )next please. Very underrated songs

[@zacharyjunge6736]

Ain't got no quarrels with God......still one of my favorite lines of all time in a song. The way he sings it is perfect.

[@RabbitFighter666]

Classic band, always a great song. Reminds me of NH parties out in the woods.. like 100+ people and shit haha

[@jorgechavezhartley8785]

Sublime's self titled album has been my feel good record since 97...whatever shit i might be going through that album just puts a smile on my face...hope you've done more Sublime, especially April 29 1992 or Summertime,....hell, do the whole record...blessings,guys

[@RobertSmith-pf1gn]

Punk rock music primarily deriving from England is heavily influenced by Rasta culture and therefore has a lot of reggae sounds. "Reggae rock" has been around for a long time. Check out Guns of Brixton or older music by the Clash

[@weaving_spider]

How you gunna come? lol

[@fernand_ducci]

I grew up here in LA, (Valley) in high school when this album came out. Sublime was More than some "Vibe" for us, #40oztofreedom

[@werekief29]

One of my all-time favorites......cheers to all the other Badfish out there.

[@suicyco4life666]

You do know "Badfish" is street slang for somebody that turns another person on to heroin?

[@TastyChevelle]

@@suicyco4life666 Cheers!

[@barklordofthesith2997]

@@suicyco4life666 S.T.....S.T......S.T.....

[@brendenhoulihan8456]

The look into their background before listening to the song because y'all admit you don't know much about the band is a HUGE respect put on you guys AND the band. Thank y'all! ❤

[@ronaldowens5025]

Operation ivy needs to be on the list of Ska yall need to hear.

[@joshi438]

YES

[@troygraves6081]

'Unity' or 'here we go again'

[@saltysamurai]

Healthy Body or Sound System

[@troygraves6081]

Or 'take warning '

[@andrewbishop4447]

Gotta do the song “Seed” Best mixture of punk/reggae ever recorded in my opinion such an amazing song

[@quinnkrug1971]

This guy knows

[@Zakiah747]

Loudog is Bradley’s actual dog.

[@richpeltier9519]

Whatever track you do next, also listen to Paddle Out. It's a very short track and very different. Give you an idea of their range.

[@BloodTithingsGaming]

You know what, I really like Rome in the band. I've seen them live before and I tell you what man, that concert was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. They played all the Sublime greatest hits and just something about it reverberates in your soul. If they ever come nearby, go check them out!

[@MrConstant23.]

40 oz to freedom is a god damn perfect release

[@buzzbomb67]

In the 90s it was impossible to get away from Sublime … a lot of people were wore out of it, it was so prevalent! On the Radio, the juke box, at the club, in the car… they were EVERYwhere! SUPER popular! I admit I got a bit tired of them but I still dig them! Skunk (Ska/Punk) in general was super popular for a while, in the 90s, thanks to Stray Cats (a decade earlier), Operation Ivy, Rancid, No Doubt, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Less Than Jake, Skatalites, and so many others! I never really paid attention to their lyrics, but your assessment makes perfect sense. His death was quite a shock to most of us at the time. Very few knew of his problems, save for those who knew him, like Gwen Stefani, who was devastated.

[@buzzbomb67]

@ghost mall a lot of people did … it took me a bit to warm up to it, too, but then I backtracked to 2nd wave Ska like the Specials and English Beat, and I suddenly liked 3rd wave … the biggest problem with it was the massive slew of crappy bands playing all the same stuff, but it was still fun music, even if most of the bands were mediocre schlock.

[@lez0n]

Always appreciated that vibe you guys talk about that contrasts so starkly with the content of their lyrics. They sing about some dark and deep stuff.

[@Tani-1138]

You are the first reaction videos I started with, love you guys.

[@darinchamberlain7304]

I've listened to Sublime since 91. I didn't have a clue what the lyrics meant until ya'll just broke it down...WOW! You guys are amazing! Much love!

[@yp4506]

Finally! Please do a DEEP dive on this band.

[@patrickmoore1068]

Miss you Bradley Nowell! 25 years and it seems like yesterday.

[@jonathanaldecoa1099]

I saw Sublime back in in the day in the LBC. Greetings from Southern California 🕺

[@jorel80]

George, I highly recommend digging into the Clash for some quality reggae/rock fusion. They were one of the first British bands that did that. Songs like “Police and Theives”, White Man in Hammersmith Palais” also Can’t Stand Losing by the Police

[@drexelmarz7144]

If you like this band, I highly suggest you guys hear "Same in the End". It really rocks!!

[@JTNugget]

40oz to Freedom is their best album. Bar none.

[@laurennorris3920]

One of my favorite songs, so happy to watch you guys react to this

[@Erica-wy8zx]

♥️Sublime- miss the 90’s. RIP BRADLEY & Lou dog

[@christopheralvarez1901]

Pawn Shop, April 29 1992, Date Rape, Saw Red, Caress Me Down

[@chrisalbrecht4217]

I appreciate yall... I didn't like how it started, but i like how you tried to break it down. I'm a fan of yall hip hop reactions, n how you try to understand. Sublime was (is) fire. Dig deeper. You'll dig it! Be well fellas

[@josuevillanueva3016]

April 29th, 1992

[@ryanjames8933]

Just wanted to say that I follow about a half dozen music reaction channels, and you guys are my favorite! Mainly because I like how you both are very knowledgeable about music! Anyways, keep up the good work, and happy holidays to you and your families!

[@comingforya690]

Yes I was jammin this in the 90’s! Doing time is an amazing song. My fav or pawn shop, 40 oz to freedom. Man the lead singer died too early but his music still goes on.

[@Sim_racer_40oz]

Bad fish 🐠 is an some one who drinks to much . It’s from I drink like a fish! It’s in the song “ two pints of booze 🥃 are you a bad fish 2 “ believe me ! It’s one of my favorite songs and broke it down!

[@eddiemi]

The Clash - The Guns Of Brixton, PJ Harvey - Sheela Na Gig, Jane's Addiction - Mountain Song.

[@Blinkingplanet]

“Same in the End” is one of their best!

[@michaelkozma5929]

The intro is Brad tape recording the atmosphere in a bar. Badfish is somebody who is a drug pusher and Nowell got hooked on Heroin in 1992. He lyrically sings about his addiction on these other songs: -Work That We Do -Poolshark -New Song -Same In The End -Ballad of Johnny Butt -STP Sublime and Brad Nowell is one of the most criminally underrated bands. Nobody cross pollinated musical genres like them. This guy could play guitar like a "Motha F*ckin Riot!" Timeless music...

[@rdiddy1411]

You guys do the best reactions on KZbin. I do, however, would like to see some more punk rock representation on here. Theres a lot of stuff from the 90s to today that I think you'd really dig and there's a lot of sub genres to cover (ska punk, skate punk, hardcore, etc.) Try out Bad Religion, Less Than Jake, Lagwagon, NOFX, the Suicide Machines, PEARS, Strung Out, and Descendants.

[@lakeshoresubtleties]

Man... so many from Lagwagon, Nofx, Less Than Jake, Bad Religiom, Strung Out, etc. "Your Silence" by The Suicide Machines was such an intense, impactful song for me.

[@nickkleiber8636]

This song reminds me of the 90’s house parties!!! And a band playing live their

[@RandalPinkFloyd75]

My favorite Sublime song... even though somehow- they are all my favs. POOL SHARK! Also Bad's Marley Medley is epic.

[@thee31337]

It takes a true surfing addict to fully understand this song ... the metaphores just hit differently

[@tiacalhoun3841]

Y’all HAVE to put “Caress me down” on the list PLEASE!!!!! I’m dying to see ur reaction to that one

[@55giantsfan22]

Sublime takes me back to better times

[@jimbosteen2935]

Omgosh u guys are the best!!!, and to see this woweeee, I'm impressed

[@Jjoker74]

My favorite Sublime song! You really should "dive deep" into their catalog. Pawn Shop, April 26th 1992, 40 0z To Freedom, Date Rape, to name a few.

[@jinjerjunkie]

Some of my favorite Sublime songs are actually cover songs: Jailhouse (Bob Marley and the Wailers), 54-46, That's My Number (Toots & The Maytals), Scarlet Begonias (Grateful Dead). Don't think they are just straight up covers tho, they all very much have the distinct Sublime vibe to them.

[@bdswain3]

If you love the genre, check out Stick Figure. Basically anything off 'Set in Stone'. Dude behind Stick Figure, Scott Woodruff, is an absolute genius. Produces his own and some stuff for others as well.

[@jinjerjunkie]

I have listed to Sublime since the 90s, and never noticed this until I started watching reaction videos on them. Most of their songs lyrics usually have a negative connotation or are about some negative subject matter. However its always set to the most feel good type of music that just gives good vibes.

[@jamesflanagan7693]

Sublime introduced me to my favorite all-time hip hop artists KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions!

[@cestrella0108]

Long live Sublime; to all my Badfishes in 2022!

[@federationgaming8188]

I hear this song for its sadness, I guess ever since hearing Radiodread reggae ain’t just happy vacation for me. Doin Time and the LA Riots song.

[@JWH808]

New Realization is my favorite Sublime tune…

[@W8ANDC]

Summertime Waiting for my ruca Romeo April 26, 1992 Just some of my Sublime favs

[@livingroomsuperstar]

one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands broken down by one of my favorite youtube channels thanks, y'all

[@joshuaangulo3411]

Before sublime was famous my mom knew them and would hang out with Bradley all the time so seein this makes me happy 🤘🏽

[@Jcruzer70]

Santeria, What I Got and Doin Time are a better representation of Sublime as a whole. Phenomenal group.

[@travisligocki]

Santeria is an epic tune!

[@alrivers2297]

And The Wrong Way too

[@stevilkenevil9960]

All commercial tracks boo so much better songs on robbin the hood

[@theWHODreams]

Sublime- April 26th 1992, it’s about the LA riots and is a great mixture of punk and hip-hop with of course some ska/Reggae as well

[@timjenkins4065]

It’s a summer, party song

[@downwardisheavenward3006]

George - here’s some 90’s ska for you. I’ll be very surprised if many people know these songs, let alone the bands, but trust me, these are all top notch selections. Song Band Relation - Hepcat I Still Love You - The Slackers Take It From The Top - The Planet Smashers Change Up - The Skalars You Take Me - Let’s Go Bowling I Wasn’t Going To Call You Anyway - The Toasters Wandering Soul - Bim Skala Bim

[@tony2loud]

It's about time!!! Sublime it one of the best bands of all time!!!

[@stevew2192]

Nailed the meaning fellas! Been a Sublime for 25 years. Don't sleep on em!

[@Mars-]

Ahhhhhha. Yall missed the whole boat on this one. ''Badfish" is a person who uses heroin or gets others into heroin. The song is Bradley Nowell's poetic confession of what will eventually end his life. Aint no vacation or background music here, man.⭐️

[@MultiVictos]

Sublime has made me feel so good for so long.

[@MrDboydannyb]

April 26 1992

[@thembones1895]

Sublime, whoa boys. Next then: their song "Santeria" !

[@michaelmignone5869]

One ofbthe best sublime songs and also one of their most punk rock type of songs you guys have to check out, "Same in the end"

[@nandosiol]

I love Sublime ,they're so diverse and the music has so many "Moods" that you can discover lots ofstuff everytime you play something by them , I suggest you to listen and react to "Wrong Way" or "APril 29th 1992" for their self titled album , plus you can check out a band from England called The Skints ,they mix reggae with rock ,rnb, hip hop ,great band !

[@monkeyballs512]

Super diverse. They can rip off Yellowman and Bob Marley equally well

[@kaomatic]

Underrated Sublime songs that SLAP 5446 That’s My Number Let’s Get Stoned What Happened Pawn Shop We’re Only Gunna Die from Our Arogance

[@Gibbs316]

Two best underrated sublime songs.. perfect world and slow ride

[@Thegooman67]

You guys would absolutely LOVE April 29th, 1992!

[@alanairth5316]

If you haven't checked out Fishbone yet, add them to your list. And check out KRS One by Sublime too.

[@Gillsystems]

love love love krs one....haven't heard it in years

[@xthree311elevenx]

He covered the track marks on his arm with a tattoo that was waves with trash floating in them, so I think the "I swim, but I wish I never learned, the water's too polluted with germs" line is a reference to shooting heroin.

[@PaullyPorkchopsVids]

Great reaction, guys! Please check out "No Place for Disgrace" by the band Flotsam and Jetsam! It's the title track from their 2nd album released in 1988, and it's about Japanese Samurai warriors. Jason Newsted formed this band before joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton (bassist) died in a bus accident. Flotsam and Jetsam are still going strong. They released their 14th album in June. Thanks!

[@smilethecynic]

One of my favorites of their songs! You could also check out "Seed" from their self-titled album. It's short but it goes from really aggressive punk to a super cool Reggae rock and then a nice ska groove very abruptly (I know you guys aren't fans of really sudden transitions but I love the way they did it in that song).

[@jhogan077]

Yes, please! More SUBLIME

[@glenncurrans7936]

The expendables- sacrifice cool reggae rock sound with a cool solo