Another year has came and gone. It is the weekend before finals week, and it is a fine time for chilling. That’s exactly what Sublime tribute band Wrong Way has to offer to students.

Wrong Way formed in Athens, Ga., almost by accident after a local club owner offered the group a paying gig to play all Sublime songs.

“It all started at a restaurant we all worked at called The Grill,” said Doug Gross, bassist for Wrong Way. “Everyone that worked there played music. At one work Christmas party, we got together and began playing songs we all knew. After that a local venue called Last Call told us if we put together a full set of Sublime covers we would get paid. It then grew from that one spot to the surrounding areas, and now, we play in all different states.”

Wrong Way will be playing at 6 p.m. today at Pantherstock.

Also performing at today’s festivities will be the local bands The Staff Blues Band, Little Boy Jr. and Mugwump Specific.

“Since we brought in American English (a Beatles tribute band) last year, we wanted to stick with a cover band,” said Lauren Phillips, the University Board’s Mainstage coordinator. “I know of a lot of people that listen to Sublime and reggae music. We took surveys at different UB events and decided a Sublime tribute would draw a good crowd. We hope people come out of class and want to stay and watch all the bands.”

Sublime was a reggae, ska and punk influenced rock band that emerged onto the scene in the early 90s.

Their hits include the songs “What I Got,” “Santeria,” “Wrong Way” and many more. Often their music was seen as stoner-friendly and filled with good vibes.

“I remember listening to Sublime throughout high school,” said Joel Byron, guitarist for Wrong Way. “Bradley’s (deceased lead singer of Sublime) lyrics are so unique. His writing style is unlike any musician out there. His lyrics give you something to catch on to. The music is party music so it’s always a fun atmosphere. Sublime has a cultish sort of following. Its great when we see the crowd singing the songs they know.”

Being in a Sublime tribute band isn’t all fun and games.

On March 2, 2009, Mike Sparrow, Wrong Way’s lead singer, committed suicide.

Sparrow was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and often would experience mood swings. He felt it was best to quit the band and move back with his parents to hopefully put this awful disease in his past.

Soon after Gross was notified by Sparrow’s parents of the tragic news.

“I remember we had to go to a gig straight from the funeral,” Gross said. “Mike had such an impact on the people that came to see us. I was constantly asked ‘What happened?’ It got to the point were I was like ‘God, I don’t want to tell this story anymore.’

“In the end, I found it actually therapeutic. When it first happens, you can’t wrap your head around it. It was really hard to get through, but it has got to the point where I have accepted it. Mike loved the band, and I know he would want us to continue doing what we are doing.”

Wrong Way is a Sublime tribute band that will be performing at 6 p.m. today in the Library Quad. Pantherstock is an outdoor concert that displays the talents of Eastern students’ bands and is part of Celebration: A Festival of the Arts. (Photo courtesy

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