This year marks 25 years since Sublime delivered their seminal album 40oz. to Freedom, and while the original trio have undeniably lived on through their music, listeners will be able to explore the band's life and legacy with a new documentary.
The band have tapped two-time Academy Award-winning director Bill Guttentag to write and direct a Sublime documentary, currently pegged for theatrical release in late 2018. The film has been given the green light by surviving Sublime members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, in addition to the estate of late frontman Bradley Nowell.
A press release notes that the film will chart the band's humble beginnings and their path to mainstream success, focusing on "the story of the music, their dedicated fans, the battle with personal demons, the tragic loss of lead singer Bradley Nowell and the path to healing."
Nowell's estate has given the filmmakers access to Sublime's archives, which include rare music and never-before-seen footage of the trio in action. Billboard reports that Guttentag has started a social media campaign to source additional footage from fans and collectors.
"We're hoping to harvest that footage and really put the viewer in the studio, in that time. Really good music films make you feel like you're at the concert," he told the publication. "Plus, we're going to take footage that folks may have seen before, but will look better just from the march of technology. At the end of the day, it's the power of the story and the band's music and its ability to connect with fans and transcend."
In a statement, Gaugh added, "I can't wait to hand deliver our story to our fans. It has been a long-time coming and now there are literally two more generations of fans who never had the opportunity to see us perform, or don't know the whole story. I am excited to work with Bill Guttentag, as I am a big fan of his work as well."
Sublime manager Dave Kaplan, co-manager Scott Seine, lawyer Peter Paterno, Nayeema Raza and Guttentag will serve as producers for the film. The band delivered a career-spanning vinyl box set last year. You can pick that up, and the band's debut LP on vinyl, here.
The band have tapped two-time Academy Award-winning director Bill Guttentag to write and direct a Sublime documentary, currently pegged for theatrical release in late 2018. The film has been given the green light by surviving Sublime members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, in addition to the estate of late frontman Bradley Nowell.
A press release notes that the film will chart the band's humble beginnings and their path to mainstream success, focusing on "the story of the music, their dedicated fans, the battle with personal demons, the tragic loss of lead singer Bradley Nowell and the path to healing."
Nowell's estate has given the filmmakers access to Sublime's archives, which include rare music and never-before-seen footage of the trio in action. Billboard reports that Guttentag has started a social media campaign to source additional footage from fans and collectors.
"We're hoping to harvest that footage and really put the viewer in the studio, in that time. Really good music films make you feel like you're at the concert," he told the publication. "Plus, we're going to take footage that folks may have seen before, but will look better just from the march of technology. At the end of the day, it's the power of the story and the band's music and its ability to connect with fans and transcend."
In a statement, Gaugh added, "I can't wait to hand deliver our story to our fans. It has been a long-time coming and now there are literally two more generations of fans who never had the opportunity to see us perform, or don't know the whole story. I am excited to work with Bill Guttentag, as I am a big fan of his work as well."
Sublime manager Dave Kaplan, co-manager Scott Seine, lawyer Peter Paterno, Nayeema Raza and Guttentag will serve as producers for the film. The band delivered a career-spanning vinyl box set last year. You can pick that up, and the band's debut LP on vinyl, here.
