On August 14th, I was in Las Vegas for a Sublime exhibit at the Punk Rock Museum. My photographs from 1995, taken at the KROQ Weenie Roast, are on display and hanging upstairs near the tattoo parlor called”The Shop” until October 5th. Included in the display are photographs I captured onstage with Sublime when I was a teenager, as well as backstage photos with the band and their Dalmatian, Lou Dog, during an MTV interview.
Naturally, I was beyond honored, and I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to be there for the opening celebration in person. I’ve wanted to check this place out for some time, and what a perfect opportunity to do so.
The Punk Rock Museum
The Punk Rock Museum spans over 10,000 square feet, situated between the Arts District and I-15, and was founded by “Fat Mike” (Mike Burkett) of NOFX. The museum features over 1,000 artifacts, including flyers, clothing, handwritten lyric sheets, artwork, instruments, and other rare memorabilia. There’s a jam room with instruments donated by bands like NOFX, Pennywise, Sick of It All, Strung Out, and more… A bar inspired by legendary punk venues, the Triple Rock and Double Down, is called The Triple Down.
Scores of people have been married there, there’s a chapel, and they’ve been doing guided tours with members from The Ramones, Suicide Machines, Social Distortion, The Vandals, Suicidal Tendencies, L7, and more.
Fear, Loathing & Sublime in Las Vegas
Bud, Eric, Trey, and Jakob showed up, along with Joe Escalante of The Vandals. Bradley Nowell’s widow, Mama Troy, kept the energy high, spinning a set on the turntables, and the whole place was packed with love. By the weekend, the vibe carried over into Fear, Loathing & Sublime in Las Vegas with Sublime at Dolby Sound at the MGM Grand.
The next day, August 15th, The Vandals crushed it. Joe Escalante, Warren Fitzgerald, and David Quackenbush tore through classics like I Wanna Be a Cowboy and Anarchy Burger, and the crowd loved it. Then Pennywise stormed the stage with Fuck Authority and Bro Hymn (with Fat Mike joining in after covering a Bad Religion track with them). Sublime closed the night with pure energy. Jakob Nowell‘s stage presence was incredible, commanding, and powerful. Jakob has made the songs his own, adding his own flair. Just weeks before the show, Sublime released “Ensenada,” their first original track with Jakob as frontman, and the album is expected to arrive in 2026.
Caress Me Down
Fletcher Dragge (Pennywise) even came out for a song, and Gabo, the frontman for the Arizona-based band Fayuca, joined Jakob on the mic to perform “Caress Me Down,” doing the Spanish parts, bringing the track back to life 30 years later.
Between Zane Vandevort on guitar, Fletcher Dragge, Gabo Fayuca, and Jakob Nowell, the giant couch prop didn’t stand a chance and was soon deflated. It was such an incredible night, always a treat to see Sublime. I wanted to see how night two would hold up. It had a totally different vibe, but was still incredible. The venue was much stricter, “they’re used to Bruno Mars, not punk shows”, we were told, so the atmosphere felt more watched over due to “liabilities.” The Ataris opened, Pennywise destroyed again, and Sublime kept the fire alive. Still, Jakob Nowell, Bud Gaugh, Eric Wilson, Trey Pangborn, and DJ Product were unstoppable. The crowd fed off of every note. Both nights were pure punk energy, love, and nostalgia… And we wanted more!
Words and Photos by Maggie St.Thomas
A Sublime Legacy honoring H.R. of Bad Brains influence and impact
A Sublime Guy Remembered Onstage with Bradley Nowell at Weenie Roast 1995