Sublime with Rome

Rome (vocals, guitar): Eric Wilson (bass); Josh Freese (drums)

The wait is over! Sublime With Rome returns long at last with 'Sirens' (July 17, 2015, BMG Chrysalis), the effervescent follow up to the band's 2011 debut, 'Yours Truly.'

"We had more time, we know each other better now, and we're even better musicians," said Rome Ramirez, who was just 20-years-old when he embarked on this journey. Now 27, the singer, guitarist, and songwriter is truly flourishing.

With drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails) now permanently installed behind the kit and Sublime bassist and co-founder Eric Wilson anchoring the group, Sublime With Rome are armed with an album that makes a real statement... their statement.

Co-produced by Rome and Paul Leary, who manned the boards for 'Yours Truly,' 'Sirens' is an expression of three musicians who truly get each other and who can communicate seamlessly through their instruments and while in their favorite habitat -- the stage!

The luxury of time had a huge impact on their approach to this all-important sophomore set, especially since the band went into the studio without any demos or songs ready to go! That might sound terrifying to some musicians, but Sublime With Rome were invigorated by the situation.

"We didn't have any songs in our pockets," the frontman said, confessing that while he liked the spontaneity, it also lit a fire under their collective ass. "We showed up to this big studio and we had nothing, so we had to make it grassroots. It felt refreshing to make things on the fly. It really came together with all of us in the room and we loved the result."

He furthered, "Everything was recorded live and together. It's a little tighter and edgier than 'Yours Truly.' We have a lot of influence from Eric and it definitely shows."

Wilson concurred, saying, "It was great to work with Paul again, and with Josh Freese on drums, our chemistry was excellent. We had a great time recording the album in a totally organic way. There was no stress, even though we came up with stuff the fly."

"It is a whole different feeling now," Ramirez admitted. "Josh is such a great guy and he is just as lighthearted, which is great on the road, since touring can be so serious and so tough. It has been more fun, really. It is a lot more relaxed, and that helps with everything. It's like that everywhere. Studio. Stage. Bus. Wherever we are. We've moved forward, musically and on stage. He brings a great element.

And while Ramirez pays the utmost respect to the original Sublime entity, since, as he admitted in the past, they were the first band that made him want to make, as opposed to just listen to, music, he knows Sublime With Rome are worthy of fan's undivided attention. "This summer, I want fans to say, 'I went to see Sublime With Rome and the new album is sick as fuck.' We can do that by continuing to make better and better records," he said.

'Sirens' is overflowing with standout songs, such as the mellow yet buzzed out title track, featuring Dirty Heads. "This was a song where the drums and synths and beat that I did were for Mickey Avalon and I liked it so much that I decided to keep it and save it for Sublime With Rome," Ramirez said. "I had a random idea and asked Jared [Watson] to hop on the track, even though it's not what they do! They are gangster and they can handle anything."

Then there's "Skankin'," which is a Fishbone song that Sublime used to cover in their own unique way back when. It was an unrecorded fan favorite that sounds like an old demo! "We're covering Sublime covering Fishbone!," Ramirez exclaimed.

An instant summer classic, the slow-burning and chill jam "House Party," with a groove that transports listeners within the first few notes, or "Been Losing Sleep," with it's instantly memorable reggae groove.

Ramirez even stated that he isn't so much interested in the endgame or results as much as he is interested in writing music that is honest. And it's Wilson who summed up how Sirens is such an important record for the band. "I'm able play music for the love of music, just like I did back then. I am so fortunate to still be able to do it," he said.

With Sirens, those missions are dually accomplished. The album is seamless and has flow. It plays out like the work of musicians who complete one another's sonic sentences.

Indeed, Sublime With Rome are making their definitive statement with 'Sirens.'

House Of Pain

On the heels of their widely heralded reunion show at KROQ’s ‘Epicenter 2010’, EVERLAST and DANNY BOY have decided to get the band back together in celebration of their 20th anniversary. That’s right, HOUSE OF PAIN is back, more focused than ever and extremely excited to kick-off a worldwide reunion tour in 2011.

It’s hard to believe that the rowdy Irish Americans got started way back in 1991, but for the past 20 years the group has maintained a high profile – topping the Billboard charts as a group and with solo efforts. It was a turn of a new decade when HOUSE OF PAIN changed the face of hip-hop with their self-titled debut album, going multi-platinum and launching one of the most memorable songs in hip-hop history with “Jump Around”. Now it’s the start of another new decade and HOUSE OF PAIN is ready to do it all over again; the group aims to bring their fiery live show to fans all over the world, reclaim the throne as hip-hop’s best and celebrate what has allowed their successes over the past 20 years – the fans. “It’s been 20 years and we are very excited to go out there and do this again,” comments Everlast. “The catalyst was definitely the KROQ Epicenter show this past summer. We had already been working together on the La Coka Nostra record and did an event with [UFC President] Dana White but it really came down to seeing the crazy response from the crowd in LA when we went into ‘Jump Around’. After that, we went home thinking about it and now is the time to act on it. Every show is going to be like an anniversary party. It’s going to be crazy.” Since HOUSE OF PAIN disbanded back in 1996, the members have kept their star power and went on to huge successes. EVERLAST has maintained an incredibly successful solo career that includes a triple platinum album, multiple Top 10 hits (including the #1 smash hit “What It’s Like”) and a Grammy for the song “Put Your Lights On” which was recorded with Carlos Santana. Danny Boy changed focus from music to art and launched an extremely successful art company, multiple clothing lines and ultimately brought the reunion about by forming the group LA COKA NOSTRA that featured the original lineup from HOUSE OF PAIN alongside rappers Slaine and Ill Bill.After experiencing all of the solo success, it becomes obvious that HOUSE OF PAIN isn’t a group reforming to cash in on current musical trends. HOUSE OF PAIN is reforming because of the passion that they have for their music. They are back to celebrate with their fans across the 20 years that have spawned tremendous success and undying anthems of rebellious teenagers everywhere. They are back to show young fans everywhere just how raucous and dirty hip-hop can be – to prove that it doesn’t matter your age, race, religion or whether you’re into hip-hop, rock or metal. HOUSE OF PAIN has crafted a 20-year legacy that speaks to fans from all walks of life. So get out of your seat and “Jump Around.”