Eric Wilson (bassist)
Eric John Wilson (born February 21, 1970[1]) is the former bass player for Sublime (1988–1996) and also bassist for Long Beach Dub Allstars (1997–2002). He was the bassist for the band Long Beach Shortbus, which was composed of several members of Long Beach Dub Allstars and Sublime. Since 2009, Wilson has been the bassist for Sublime with Rome, a musical collaboration between Wilson and singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez.
Eric Wilson | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Eric John Wilson |
Born | Long Beach, California, U.S. | February 21, 1970
Genres | Ska, punk rock, reggae, alternative rock, alternative hip hop, dub, pop rock |
Occupation(s) | Bassist |
Instruments | Bass, Drums |
Years active | 1981–present |
Labels | Fueled By Ramen MCA Records Skunk Records DreamWorks Records Long Beach Records AFO Records |
Associated acts | Hogan's Heros Sublime Sublime with Rome Long Beach Dub Allstars Long Beach Shortbus Juice Bros. Gwen Stefani |
Musical career
Wilson and Bud Gaugh met in 1979 and later started a punk band called Hogan's Heroes, later changing their name to Sloppy Seconds (not to be confused with the Indiana hardcore punk band of the same name). In 1988, Wilson introduced friend Bradley Nowell to his long-time friend Bud Gaugh, and the three of them went on to form Sublime.
After the death of Sublime's lead vocalist Bradley Nowell in 1996, which disbanded Sublime, Wilson temporarily joined up with 1960s style surf rock band Del Noah & the Mt. Ara Ratfinks, with whom he played the stand-up bass. At the same time, Wilson and Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh—along with many friends—started to experiment with the unique Sublime sound. They eventually formed many Sublime-related bands, most of whom signed with the Long Beach record label Skunk Records. In 1997, Long Beach Dub Allstars formed, but broke up in 2002.
Long Beach Dub Allstars' first album, Right Back (DreamWorks) was released in 1999. Long Beach Dub Allstars' second album Wonders of the World (DreamWorks) was released in 2001.
Wilson then joined a band with lead singer of Long Beach Dub Allstars RAS-1 called Long Beach Shortbus. The band later split in October 2007. Wilson currently plays the drums in a psychedelic rock band called StoneWing who went on a 2009 tour of the Midwest and Colorado with Midwest Reggae Rockers Jon Wayne and The Pain out of Minneapolis. Wilson also plays in an Iggy Pop cover band called The STyMiES.
It was announced in early 2009 that Wilson would be reuniting with Sublime at Cantina Los Tres Hombres in Sparks, Nevada on February 28 with Bud Gaugh and new frontman and guitarist Rome Ramirez, in place of Bradley Nowell.[2] Following positive response, the band decided to reunite properly in August 2009 for a possible tour and new album.[3] However, not long after the October 2009 performance at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name and the band was forced to change the name. The new lineup of Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh and Rome Ramirez performed together as Sublime with Rome. Their debut album, Yours Truly was released on July 12, 2011. In December 2011, Gaugh left Sublime with Rome, reportedly to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Josh Freese and the band has continued to tour.
Personal Life
On April 2, 2019, Wilson broke his arm and four ribs in an ATV accident on his avocado ranch in California. Days after, he was reported to be in stable condition at a San Diego hospital.[4]
Discography
Sublime
- 40 Oz. to Freedom (1992)
- Robbin' the Hood (1994)
- Sublime (1996)
- Second-hand Smoke (1997)
Del Noah & the Mt. Ararat Finks
- Blower Explosion (1998)
Long Beach Dub All-Stars
- Right Back (1999)
- Wonders of the World (2001)
Long Beach Shortbus
- Flying Ship of Fantasy (2004)
Sublime With Rome
- Yours Truly (2011)
- Sirens (2015)
- Blessings (2019)
References
- According to Family Tree Legends, an "Eric J. Wilson" was born on February 21, 1970 in Los Angeles County.
- Sublime Reunion? Archived 2009-05-04 at Archive.today. Last accessed September 22, 2009.
- Sublime To Reunite For Cypress Hill's Smokeout Fest. Last accessed September 22, 2009.
- | date=2019-06-04. Last accessed April 19, 2019.