It’s been a minute since I first sat down with Rome Ramirez; several to be exact. Turns out the sublime life of Rome Ramirez is a surreal one, but it’s a story that inspires.
In 2012 there was a lot of noise about the Sublime reunion that featured a new lead singer – Rome Ramirez. Eric Wilson was the only original member, and Josh Freese was on the skins. Some people loved the fact that the guys were doing this, and some people were not so happy. I sat down with them one night at the House of Blues at Downtown Disney. I wasn’t sure what to expect, what happened next has always stayed with me.
We did the normal Q & A, and the answers were all polished and sounded great. For most part, the interview ended with no bomb shells. It was after the interview that I got the most answer from any band. We talked a little about Bradley and how we were all fans of his. Romie said he was saddened when he heard the news of his passing. He grew up as a kid with Sublime posters on his walls, and their music was church for him.
Freese echoed those sentiments. So, I asked the question, there are some people giving you guys grief over this, so why do it. It was an unexpected response. The duo both answered, one jumping in after a certain look to the other. They said in essence that there are so many fans that felt the way they did when the world lost Bradley. Many had never had the opportunity to see the band live. They both felt that was a travesty that there are kids who hear the music their older siblings listened to but never got to see them.
So, they wanted to do right by their fellow fans of Sublime. And that was to give everyone to experience the music we all grew up listening to. They were honest and sincere about that, and as long as they were doing for the love of the music, they could take the bad with the good. They did the covers, and even created some original work under the Sublime with Rome banner.
Since then, Rome kept to his word and played with the band until not long ago when Bradley’s son Jakob took over behind the mic. As for Rome, he is happy is his new place in life. I caught up to him again this past weekend, and we covered some old ground, and some new.
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When the reformed Sublime lineup was announced, I asked him what he thought, he told me that he was happy that Jakob was taking his rightful place and that the band will move on; and they’ll play music for fans in a way that would make Bradley happy. That, he said, was doing right by the fans.
Oddly, I never felt that Rome was anything but a straight shooter with me, and this was no different. He genuinely cares about music, fans, and the legacy of Sublime. When we first met, he was a single dude. Now, he is an accomplished musician, frontman, and add family man.
He’s gone on to make fantastic music with collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music industry, but there was always a calling he knew in his future for him to do it himself. In 2025, it’s the culmination of all his efforts that led him to where he is today in life.
He brings an infectious energy to every conversation, and acknowledges the shortcomings of the music industry, while always being the ultimately optimist. With experience under his belt, a family that is his new core, his music represents his past, present and future.
I asked him how he was able to get where he is. He said it’s been a journey, that he still can’t believe how lucky he has been. He often asks himself, “why me,” why have things turned out when it could have turned out many other ways. In his here and now he’s not asking himself rhetorical questions, he’s just living the bet life he can.
He now calls Nashville home where he lives with his family. There is where he says his creative musical energy comes from. With so many things in his orbit, he said that if you love something, you always make time. Finding time is another thing altogether. These days he makes time for family and music and those are his focus.
What I appreciated about this chat, when we talked about the good ole days, Rome thanked me for always supporting his projects. He didn’t have to do that, rarely do I heard that from the subject of my interviews, but Romie said “thanks Jimmy, I appreciate you.”
Not sure why, but like at Downton Disney, I was a little surprised, and in a very good way. Here’s why, when you interview bands, some turn out to be the best people, some turn out to be dicks, it’s just the way it is. Luckily for me, I’ve met more of the good ones in the industry over the years. Roem is definitely one of the good ones.
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With sublime if his resume, he is now doing it under his own feet as ROME. His first effort impressed many in the industry, the song was called “Forever,” and it is very-very cool.
“Forever” lands Ramirez in the atmosphere of great musicians, lyricists and crooners – the dude can sing!
Now, the song that reflects his journey to where he is today is now out. It is appropriately titled,” Why Me.”
The song chronicles his life and times of ups and down, and his sonic vision that delivers a masterpiece. Reggae and two-tome ska fans will love this. According to Romie, more cool music is on its way.
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My takeaway after our chat was life has been very-very good to Rome Ramirez.
Like everyone else, it’s had its challenges, but he’s in a good place with a good perspective on life, a core home that will be his forever happy place and his music that has guided him to a happy place.
ROME will be touring, so if you have a chance to catch him, I highly recommend it. He will be playing in his inaugural representation as himself “ROME” and Cali Vibes 2025.
Despite all the news we hear coming out of the headlines these days, finally here’s a story we can all get behind.
