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The Ballad of Jakob Nowell: Sublime’s New Frontman Is a Proud SoCal Culture Evangelist and a Fervent Feathered Dinos Truther

Sublime frontman Jakob Nowell opens up about the band’s new album, dynamics in the multi-generational band, and his favorite dinosaurs.

By Stephen Andrew Galiher

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It has been 30 years since Sublime released their iconic self-titled album. And that was the last thing they ever put out. Until now. Today, June 12, 2026, the band has unveiled their new record, Until The Sun Explodes. It features Jakob Nowell, the band’s new frontman, on vocals and guitar.

Jakob is the son of late Sublime frontman, Bradley Nowell, who passed away in May 1996. Jakob was just a baby at the time. I debated with myself over whether or not I was going to bring all this up. For one main reason: you probably know it all already.

Every article from every media outlet for probably most of his life has reduced Jakob to being his father’s son. Now, I didn’t grow up with a famous father, per se, but I did grow up with a popular one. It’s demoralizing when people only find value in your identity because it’s tethered to someone else. Even if it’s not that person’s fault.

Something happened while I was chatting with Jakob (via Zoom) this week, though. Listening to him talk about Sublime and hearing how much his father’s legacy means to him was transformative. He recognizes the importance of Sublime as evangelists for Southern California culture, and he’s proud to be part of it. And that’s where the band’s new album comes in.

“You know, it started to sort of just become that naturally,” Jakob told me of Until The Sun Explodes clearly being a summertime record. He also pointed to “the sun symbolism in Sublime” and how they’re a Southern California-associated band, “which is sort of like the land of Always Summer,” he quipped.

“I’m just hoping that kids of all ages out there, hanging out in San Diego and San Clemente and Los Angeles and Ventura and all up and down, just having a good time, will be blasting this record driving around, skating, and surfing, and all that good stuff,” Jakob continued. “Or even staying inside and playing video games with their friends, and everything else in between. That’s California to me, man.”

Sublime’s Debut Album, ‘40 oz. to Freedom’, Was Released in 1992

Jakob’s California is something he’s been taking to the rest of the world for years while playing in bands. Now, though, he gets to do it as part of the most Southern California band ever.........

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