<P> Despite their growing popularity in Southern California, Sublime still was not signed with a major label . Around this same time Nowell teamed up with longtime friend Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, to record the song "Saw Red". The song was eventually released on Sublime's Robbin' the Hood album, which was self - recorded on a four - track cassette, and released in October 1994 . Several songs from the album detail Nowell's worsening drug addiction . Nowell is believed to have predicted his own death in the song "Pool Shark", with the line, "One day I'm going to lose the war". </P> <P> About a year later, Tazy Phillipz took a copy of 40oz. to Freedom to Los Angeles radio station KROQ - FM, requesting that Sublime's song, "Date Rape", be added to the playlist . Soon after, MCA Records picked up 40oz. to Freedom for national distribution, and Sublime was scheduled to tour throughout Europe . Nowell, an avid reader who enjoyed quoting historians and philosophers, began studying European history to prepare for the trip . Attention from a major label did not curb Nowell's drug use, which sometimes led him to pawn his instruments and sell drugs, as reflected in the song "Pawn Shop". In February 1996, Sublime returned to the studio to record the bulk of their self - titled album, which would be their debut with MCA . Production was done by Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers (and producer of Marcy Playground and Meat Puppets) at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in Austin, Texas . </P> <P> Nowell was married to Troy Dendekker on May 18, 1996 . Seven days later, on the morning of May 25, Sublime was supposed to begin a five - day tour through Northern California, followed by a European and East Coast tour . However, while the band was staying at the Ocean View Motel in San Francisco, drummer Bud Gaugh woke up to find Nowell lying on the floor next to his bed . His dalmatian, Lou Dog, was curled up on the bed whimpering . Bradley had tried waking up his fellow band - mates to go to the beach with him that morning, but they were too hung - over and tired to get out of bed . Initially, Gaugh assumed Nowell was too intoxicated to get into bed; however, he noticed a green film around his mouth, and it became apparent he had overdosed on heroin . Gaugh called for paramedics, but Nowell had died several hours earlier, and was pronounced dead at the scene . Nowell was cremated and his ashes were spread over his favorite surfing spot in Surfside, California . A headstone was placed at Westminster Memorial in Westminster, California in his memory . </P> <P> Eight months after Nowell's death, No Doubt headlined a "cautionary" benefit concert in honor of his memory . Nowell's widow wanted to make it clear that the goal of the concert was not to glamorize his death, but rather to promote drug awareness and prevention among fans . Proceeds from the concert were given to a nonprofit offering support for musicians struggling with drug addiction, as well as a scholarship fund for Nowell's son, Jakob . </P>

What happened to the original singer of sublime