THE HOUSE THAT BRADLEY BUILT

COMPILATION FOR A CAUSE:

THE HOUSE THAT BRADLEY BUILT

INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR ADAM DUBI BY GEN HANDLEY

Kellie Nowell remembers the Along with LAW Records, the foun- One of these artists is Milo Auker- pilation are California ska-punk last time she spoke to her older dation are releasing The House man, lead singer of punk rock pillars heavyweights Mad Caddies, who brother well. That Bradley Built, an eclectic, 24- Descendents. Aukerman contrib- were heavily influenced by Sublime song compilation made up of a uted a ukulele version of the song back in the day. Mad Caddies cov“It was the night of the reception, and number of talented and notable “Hope,” interestingly, a Descendents er “New Song,” a lesser-known track he thanked me for helping with the artists performing acoustic rendi- song that Sublime covered on their also off the first album. wedding—he was clean and really tions of Sublime songs. The profits 1992 debut album 40 Oz. to Freedom. happy,” she says. “The next morning, from this album will go towards the “We’re just really proud to be a part when I brought his son back who construction of Bradley’s House, a “When the self-titled Sublime record of this,” says Mad Caddies lead vohad stayed with us that night, I just six-bed, opioid recovery center came out, posthumously, I thought calist and guitarist Chuck Robertson. waved to him across the room. And for struggling musicians provid- it was such an utter tragedy that he “There are so many great artists on six days later, he was gone.” ing potentially life-saving services was taken from us before they could this album; it’s a great tribute and free of charge. play that record live—it's such a it’s also for an amazing cause.” The sibling whom Kellie remembers masterpiece,” Aukerman says. “It’s so happily was Bradley Nowell, the Kellie, who is the executive direc- just a great, great record, and the Robertson says he shares the Nowell late singer of legendary Long Beach tor of the foundation, says she was band was cut short in their time.” Foundation’s passion of helping ska band Sublime. On May 25, 1996, “blown away” by the enthusiasm of Another noteworthy act on the com- musician struggling with addiction— Bradley tragically died of an overdose just months before his band reartists to contribute to the record. “A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE leased the album that would make them a household name. In his “I was really touched by all of the people and artists who wanted to ARE ARTISTS I LOVE AND honor and memory, Bradley’s kin created The Nowell Family Foundaparticipate and contribute their voices to the album,” she says. “A lot LISTEN TO, AND IT’S REALLY tion, which provides a wide range of addiction recovery services for the music industry. of these people are artists I love and listen to, and it’s really a trip to hear them singing my brother’s songs.” A TRIP TO HEAR THEM SINGING MY BROTHER’S SONGS.” 28 NEW NOISE

an issue that is very personal for him. before conceding “Rivers of Baby“I’ve struggled with addiction my lon,” which was sung by her father, whole life,” he admits. “I’ve lost so Jim, with her nephew and Bradley’s many dear friends to opiates, and son Jake. it’s the devil—so it really hits home. We want to help people in any way “That song is so special. I’m glad I we can because there is a way out.” talked my dad into doing it,” she says, quietly laughing. “Brad and When posed with the difficult ques- I grew up listening to him sing and tion of what song on the compila- play guitar. We come from a very tion resonates with her most, Kellie musical family, and that was just thinks about it for a few seconds a normal thing for us. I know Brad

PHOTO BY ALAN SNODGRASS

PHOTO BY BRIAN LEW

would be super stoked that his dad and son are doing a duet together.” When they created the foundation three years ago, Kellie says they had a clear mission in mind to not only celebrate Bradley’s memory but help the music community struggling with addiction, an issue that, unfortunately, has plagued the industry for as long as it has existed and a problem that seems to be getting increasing more deadly and dire.

“We want to honor his memory and help other families avoid all the pain we’ve had to go through,” she says adamantly. “And we wanted to somehow have an impact on this crazy opioid epidemic sweeping the country, if not the world. We’ve seen the challenges that musicians face in trying to get clean and stay clean—we thought this would be a good way to do that.”

“I think he would be proud of the way we have taken our pain and tragedy and turned it into something potentially really positive.” �� �� ��