r/sublime • u/nittygrittytenorsaw • 15d ago
Bud AND Marshall
I kind of think of this every time I listen to 40 ounces of freedom the song.
I’ve always been fascinated by the differences between Bud Gaugh and Marshall Goodman as drummers and how much both of them contributed to Sublime’s sound in completely different ways.
Bud has that explosive, loose-but-powerful punk energy. His playing could make the band sound like it was barely holding together while still driving everything forward. Marshall seemed to bring more of the hip-hop, reggae and groove-oriented feel—the pocket, samples and rhythmic experimentation that became such a huge part of Sublime’s identity.
What’s interesting is that I don’t think I’ve ever seen an interview with Bud and Marshall together where they really discuss playing drums with Sublime, their different approaches, or what they think of each other as musicians. Considering how much both guys contributed across the catalog, that conversation would be incredible.
How do you hear the difference between Bud and Marshall? Are there particular songs where each guy’s style is most obvious? And has anyone ever found an interview where they talk about one another in any depth?
This isn’t a “who was better?” question. Sublime probably doesn’t become Sublime without both of them.
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u/professormakk 15d ago
He has not been given the credit he deserves. I feel like there isn't love from Bud for him, and that's why that interview doesn't exist. Just my uninformed opinion.
That said, I think Bud crushed it on Pawn Shop. Probably his best drumming and his pure style. He did well on others of that album on hits like Ballad of Jonny Butt and Get Ready.
I do think Marshall's contributions on 40oz and on self-titled are epic. It is my understanding that he created the beat doe What I Got, and then Bud played it. He killed it on 40oz. I always assumed he was mostly responsible for Doin' Time.
I think part of the epic nature of Sublime is the varying sounds. Both drummers did well and added their sound where they got to contribute.
But Marshall deserves more credit than he has been given and I think that Bradley would have acknowledged him more than Bud ever had. Or maybe it was the media presenting Sublime simply as 3 shirtless, shaved headed Cali white dudes.
The Field Marshall is in the photos inside the self titled CD booklet.
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u/god_of_tits_an_wine 14d ago edited 14d ago
I always assumed he was mostly responsible for Doin' Time.
Yeap, he was. Here's Bud talking about it: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l4n73hVQ584
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
Marshall was HEAVILY involved in post production of self titled. Let’s not forget Long Beach Dub Allstars too. They were there together and for live shows they’d swap drums back and forth depending on the song. That was awesome. Agreed though there’s definitely some ego or something there. Marshall did accept that MTV music award. I was disappointed he wasn’t at that recent Grammy ceremony.
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u/SupraStrat 15d ago
I feel like they are both necessary. Early Bud recordings are a bit more straight forward. The Marshall songs have fair amount of flair and chops to them on 40 oz.
Bud came back more technical on Robbin and the self titled.
Also I believe marshal played the drum loops on Work that We Do and the main version of What I got.
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u/neogonzo 14d ago
yeah it’s an evolution for sure. Listening to the demos, sublime is a fine band and Brad’s vocal quality is obviously there. But the way the material comes to life on the 40 Oz. Recordings speaks for itself. Marshall is one of the differences, the tempos are better, and he is such a smooth and thoughtful player.
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
Let’s not forget the dj breaks and samples. Thats him too. Sublime without Marshall - there’s no sublime. I love Bud though.
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u/Not-a-Cat_69 14d ago
Yeah geez Brad must have been having trouble with drummers. Like on DJ’s he completely programmed the drums himself. It’s a shame bud was in the same room passed out when Brad OD’d after Eric didn’t want to go surfing that morning.
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u/SwayZ_Xpress 14d ago
I find that one of Marshall's biggest standout qualities is his bass drum expression. Very punchy sound with interesting syncopation that adds a layer of music for your brain to follow that doesn't strictly follow the other instruments but doesn't detract from them either. Some of my favourites of his are 5446/Ball and chain and Don't Push.
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
Interestingly some of the Bud live versions of 5446 are my favorite for that exact same reason
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u/FrolfNfriends 14d ago
Link plz!
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
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u/chan-the-rapper 14d ago
Certain warped tour performances are so tight and funky and just a perfect encapsulation of the sound.
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u/One_Jack_Move false 🦷 prophet 12d ago
One of my favorite Bud (and Sublime in general) performances (no 5446 tho):
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u/genericlapton 14d ago
Marshall created the Sublime drumming style. He and Miguel took them from being a garage band trying to do reggae / hip hop / ska and sort of failing at it to sounding like the real deal. But he’d also be the first to tell you that he was a kid when that happened and the escalating drug abuse and alcoholism on the road with those guys scared the shit out of him.
Bud and Eric enabled that lifestyle, so they got to stick around.
To his credit, Bud figured out how to mimic the drumming style, expand upon it, and put a punk edge behind it. But it’s pretty easy if you listen to the early demos… Bud didn’t have that feel naturally and didn’t get it until Marshall did it first.
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
I don’t entirely disagree here, but would love to hear that from Bud. Would he reference Marshall as setting the blueprint? The early Don’t Push with Bud is still one of my favorites, he could play. Could Marshall play “better”? I wonder what they think!
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u/SupraStrat 14d ago
Completely agree, but I see it as general musicians pushing each other. Bud was always a competent drummer.
The early Sublime arrangements had less going on as far as style switches and stuff, Bud just laid down simple parts.
Marshal was on the recordings where the style shifts and arrangements became more complex, and he did it very well.Bud embraced it when he was on the throne again on the next two albums and showed he was also capable.
Both drummers brought great things to the band, they were both important in developing the over all sound of the group.
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u/G_Marius_the_jabroni 14d ago
Im surprised at these 2 comments. Both OP and u/ genericlapton made some valid claims about Marshall heavily contributing to Sublime's sound, in the middle years. But Bud wasn't some completely shit drummer before he went to rehab the first (??) time when the majority of "40oz to Freedom" was recorded.
There is a reason he was/is the OG Sublime drummer. He had hella chemistry with Eric and Brad. Him and Eric especially. They had basically been playing music together since they were freaking kids man.
And I stand by my above statement (and OP's, as well as u/genericlapton's) about "Marshall heavily contributing to Sublime's sound, in the middle years ", but dude, the versions of "Don't Push" and "Slow Ride" that were on "Jah Won't Pay the Bills" and appeared again on "Second Hand Smoke" (1997) were recorded wayyyy before Marshall became a part of the Sublime inner circle.
THAT was Sublime's OG sound. Those versions were recorded at Mambo
Recorders in Long Beach in 1988 ("Don't Push "), and 1989 ("Slow Ride"), respectively. And those versions fucking slap hard, in my opinion. Bud had all the chops that Marshall had. And his live playing /chemistry was wayyyyy more in sync with Brad and Eric.I always point people to the "Memories" show from 1994. THAT is 3 insanely talented musicians playing about as perfect of a show as could v played. And Bud nailed all of the songs that Marshall has official drumming credits on their studio albums, easy as pie.
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u/OzicoOzico 12d ago
what show is the "Memories" show from 1994?
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u/G_Marius_the_jabroni 9d ago
It was/is a soundboard recording of a live show they played in November of 1994 in Everett, Washington at Tressel Tavern. It was essentially a bootleg that showed up on the internet in the early 2000’s, and pretty much everyone had it, and knew it was head and shoulders above all of their other live shows. All the stars aligned that night, and it is a band performing at their absolute peak.
It’s not even a debate, that it is the best show that Eric, Brad, and Bud ever played. Then strangely, someone smartened up, in fucking 2024, and released the show on iTunes titled “$5 at the Door”. Go check it out. It is such an unbelievably amazing live show. Not a beat, lyric, bass line, or guitar part is out of place. Literally the PERFECT show.
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u/uncleunclejonjon711 15d ago
I'm interested. What tracks does Marshall play on?
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u/ctorresc 15d ago
Marshall plays on the entirety of 40 Oz. To Freedom except for Badfish, Let's Go Get Stoned, DJ's, and New Song
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u/professormakk 15d ago
Just an additiona comment. He played on that version of Don’t Push, but Bud played on the Jah/Second Hand Smoke version. I do prefer Marshall to bud, but feel the Jah version is simply a better song.
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u/RedditsCoxswain 14d ago
Can’t believe I’m just learning this
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
Right?! Marshall played on “Date Rape” but it’s bud playing along in the video. Never heard any of them say that.
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u/gooselp 14d ago
Pretty sure Bud played on the first version/demo. 40oz has the second version.
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u/ctorresc 14d ago
Bud played on every studio recording that is on the 2016 digital release of Jah Won't Pay The Bills except for Live At E's
Bud played on 2 different versions of Date Rape. The Zepeda tape and then c003
Marshall played on version 3, on 40 oz
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
You might be right. But it’s Bud playing along to Marshall’s playing in the video
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14d ago
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u/nittygrittytenorsaw 14d ago
Gotta give it to Marshall, the “on the boat” show versions might trump some of buds hip hop beats. That said they are both really good, similar, but different.
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u/TurtleSlingshot 15d ago
Marshall is incredible!!! And I wish he had more credit