Kellie Nowell speaks on Bradley’s House & ‘The House That Bradley Built’ Sublime tribute album

If you know very little about the reggae rock genre, you — at the very least — know that Sublime reigns supreme. Bridging the gap between roots reggae, hip hop and ska punk, Sublime made music history in the 90s, paving the way for a whole new era of American rock reggae! It was devastating that, two months before the band’s fame peaked with the release of their self-titled album, an album that went on to sell over five million copies, frontman Bradley Nowell sadly passed away from heroin overdose.

Sublime never got to tour their third album’s global success; it was stolen by drug addiction.

Bradley’s sister Kellie now works diligently to make sure musicians struggling with drug addiction get the help they so desperately need. As head of The Nowell Family Foundation, Kellie Nowell strives to build Bradley’s House, a multi-bed facility for those in need in honor of her brother’s legacy — but, needs your help! Donations for Bradley’s House have been pouring in of late, thanks to the cooperation of LAW Records and the contribution of several talented artists who compiled The House That Bradley Built, a Sublime tribute album that has already raised over $25,000 for the opioid center! Each sale of the record allows Kellie to get a little bit closer to her and her foundation’s goal. Now, with the release of the album’s Deluxe Edition on the horizon, Kellie Nowell speaks on her appreciation to the reggae rock scene and how supporters can further join the cause.

How does it feel to have such support for Bradley’s House?

• The overwhelming support for Bradley’s House from the reggae rock community is humbling! Every day, we hear stories about the impact Bradley and Sublime had — and continue to have — on artists and fans. We’re super grateful that so many show their appreciation and honor Bradley’s memory by supporting this cause.

With so many creative covers on the album, what is your favorite off ‘The House That Bradley Built’? What song surprised you?

• Paul Milbury and LAW Records put together an outstanding compilation of Sublime covers by more than 50 artists, who all generously donated their time and talent. All of the covers on The House That Bradley Built are fantastic — it’s impossible to pick a favorite!
• Some of the biggest surprises on the double-vinyl release in September were the Descendents’ acoustic cover of their song “Hope” (that Sublime covered), Vana Liya’s bossa nova cover of “The Ballad of Johnny Butt” and Leilani Wolfgramm’s soulful cover of “New Realization”. The Deluxe Edition three-CD set that releases January 15th has some fresh twists, with Passafire’s folksy cover of “Greatest Hits”, Mike Pinto’s energetic cover of “Superstar Punani” and Shane Hall’s bluesy cover of “Under My Voodoo”. Of course, the sentimental favorite of the entire project is Jim and Jake Nowell’s tear-jerking cover of “Rivers of Babylon”.

How will the proceeds from the album benefit Bradley’s House?

• The proceeds from The House That Bradley Built and all other fundraising efforts ensure that Bradley’s House will open and provide an addiction recovery treatment program for struggling musicians. The need is greater than ever. Overdose deaths have skyrocketed since the start of 2020. And, many musicians have been hit hard by the financial devastation of COVID-related shutdowns. We feel an incredible urgency to create a place of hope and healing. 

What else can people do to contribute to your cause?

• There are so many ways to get involved! The easiest is to spread the word, let people know about the mission of Bradley’s House. There’s strength in numbers and, together, we can make it happen!
• The House That Bradley Built albums, T-shirts and posters are available at LAW Records. Bradley’s House merchandise is available at The Nowell Family Foundation. Tax-deductible donations can be made on our website, directly through PayPal and on Cash App ($NowellFamily).
• Many companies have donation-matching programs that double the impact of charitable giving! AmazonSmile and eBay allow customers to designate the Nowell Family Foundation as a nonprofit to receive a percentage of every purchase. Following us on social media is a great way to stay connected and share with friends. [Editor’s note: see links below]
• The Bradley’s House Facebook group is an amazing online community where people share their struggles and their victories and offer positivity, love and support. We have a biweekly podcast called “Bradley’s House” on YouTube and every major streaming platform. And, of course, there’s always the tried and true check donation to the Nowell Family Foundation at 32158 Camino Capistrano, Suite A, PMB 401, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.

With the Deluxe Edition release of ‘The House That Bradley Built’, is there another project or undertaking Bradley’s House has at this time?

• We have some projects in the works and we’re always open to new ideas. It’s mind-blowing how many people have stepped up to partner with us in exciting ways that we never could have imagined when we first started. Even though 2020 was a challenging year for everyone, it’s proof of the resilience and strength we all possess. We’re hopeful for the future and stoked for what’s to come!

Pre-order ‘The House That Bradley Built’ Deluxe Edition:

PRE-ORDER ► iTunes | Amazon | Physical Merch Bundle

PRE-SAVE ► Spotify | Amazon Music | Tidal | Deezer

Track listing:

1. Iration – “D.J.’s”
2. Pepper – “Date Rape”
3. KBong – “Foolish Fool”
4. Kash’d Out – “Slow Ride”
5. Joe Sambo – “5446 / Ball And Chain”
6. Passafire – “Greatest Hits”
7. Tropidelic – “Smoke Two Joints”
8. Kyle Smith – “Romeo”
9. Mike Pinto – “Superstar Punani”
10. Shane Hall – “Under My Voodoo”
11. Seranation – “Ebin”
12. Ethan Tucker – “Steppin’ Razor”
13. Mic Dangerously – “Freeway Time in LA County Jail”
14. Cheers To Nothing – “We’re Only Going To Die”
15. Falling Idols – “Falling Idols”
16. Tomorrows Bad Seeds – “Get Out”
17. Naughty Don – “Waiting For My Ruca”
18. The Expendables – “Wrong Way”
19. Fortunate Youth – “Jailhouse”
20. The Elovaters – “Get Ready”
21. E.N Young – “Pawn Shop”
22. Fayuca – “Caress Me Down”
23. Roots of Creation – “Roots of Creation”, feat. Mighty Mystic
24. The Supervillians – “What Happened”
25. Jason DeVore (of Authority Zero) – “April 29th, 1992”
26. theLine – “Ebin”
27. Bad Cop / Bad Cop – “All You Need”
28. Buck-O-Nine – “Burritos”
29. Bumpin Uglies – “Same In The End”
30. Through The Roots – “Real Situation”
31. Save Ferris – “Santeria”
32. Bret Bollinger – “Mary”
33. Common Kings – “Garden Grove”
34. Descendents – “Hope”
35. Long Beach Dub Allstars – “Little District”
36. Half Pint – “Lovin’”
37. Pepper – “Work That We Do”
38. Johnny Cosmic – “40 Oz. to Freedom”
39. Trevor Young (of SOJA) – “Santeria”
40. HIRIE – “Saw Red” (feat. Jason J.)
41. Mad Caddies – “New Song”
42. The Skints – “Get Ready”
43. Cydeways – “Let’s Go Get Stoned”
44. The Movement – “Get Out”
45. Leilani Wolfgramm – “New Realization”
46. Ballyhoo! – “S.T.P.”
47. O.A.R. – “Badfish”
48. Vana Liya – “The Ballad of Johnny Butt”
49. The Expanders – “Scarlet Begonias”
50. Jim Lindberg (of Pennywise) – “Boss D.J.”
51. RAS 1 – “Right Back”
52. Tunnel Vision – “Pool Shark”
53. Nice Mike – “Don’t Push”
54. Bert Susanka (of The Ziggens) – “Big Salty Tears”
55. Jim and Jake Nowell – “Rivers of Babylon”

Shane Hall – “Under My Voodoo” advanced listen:

Nowell Family Foundation links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

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