In grade school, music preferences could be summed up with two names: ‘N Sync and Britney Spears. While my friends were listening to these typical pop stars, I was listening to bigger and better names. I have my three awesome older brothers to thank for it. While my friends were singing and creating their own synchronized dance to “Bye Bye Bye,” I was jamming to Red Hot Chili Peppers and early punk Beastie Boys. During this time of musical discovery, one band caught my attention and still remains my absolute favorite band of all time. The band: Sublime.

Sublime’s sound is exactly as defined in the band’s name, supreme and outstanding. It falls under the ska-punk genre as a whole, but each album adds a different sound to the mix. Their first album, 40 Oz. to Freedom, is more reggae-influenced and the album Robbin’ the Hood has more of a hip-hop influence to it. Only three albums were produced while the band was together, but I’ve never grown tired of listening to them, especially the third and last album, Sublime, released after lead singer Bradly Nowell’s death and full of never before released singles.

Sublime produced a unique and catchy sound, a sound that earned its name, and it can’t be summed up in just one usual definition. It’s a mixture of many sounds: dub, reggae, hip-hop, rock, punk and the list goes on. I couldn’t help but become obsessed after hearing my very first Sublime song, “Badfish,” still on the list of my top five Sublime favorites.

That’s the thing about Sublime, there’s no way to claim just one favorite song. I go through a period of infatuation with one song, but, not long after, another song will become the new, most-listened to song.

Love for Sublime can only be increased with the knowledge of its past. It might be the fact that their first live performance started the infamous “Peninsula Riot” in their hometown of Long Beach, California on July 4, 1988, or the fact that their first album was mainly sold out of the trunks of their car. Either way, it’s a pretty badass way to step onto the music scene.

There’s a list of reasons for my obsession. The biggest reason might sound cliché, but listening to Sublime makes everything better. Any stresses in life or negative emotions can be eliminated with the first 30 seconds of Slow Ride. It’s the album for any occasion, but is most fulfilling on a windows-down, sunglasses-on kind of day.

It’s pretty depressing to think about how far they could’ve gone if Nowell were still alive. Their sound was carried on with a few post-Sublime bands created by the other two members, including Long Beach Dub Allstars and Long Beach Shortbus, but it just wasn’t the same. Unfortunately, the only fame either of those bands received was earned when Long Beach Shortbus’ tune “California Grace” was featured on MTV’s “Laguna Beach”.

I have yet to find any competition for Sublime’s spot as my favorite band. They’ve lasted about six years as no. 1, and it won’t be changing anytime soon.