Takin' A Walk – Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode: Buzz Knight Chats with Rome: From Music Fan to Frontman of Sublime with Rome’s Inspiring Journey
Date: January 7, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this inspiring episode, host Buzz Knight sits down with Rome Ramirez, acclaimed musician and frontman of Sublime with Rome. The conversation explores Rome’s transformative journey from a music fan in California to leading one of ska-punk’s most storied bands. Touching on gratitude, creative reinvention, personal growth, and the challenges of stepping into a legendary legacy, the episode offers behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on family and artistry, and a deep dive into Rome's solo work, including his new album and upcoming festival performances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Would Rome Take a Walk With? (02:13)

• Rome’s Picks:
  • Personal: His grandfather—regretful he didn't get to know him deeply as an adult and would love to learn more about his family history.
  • Musical Icon: Jimi Hendrix—praising Hendrix’s creative mind and expressing a desire to “pick his brain.”
• Quote (Rome):

  “The first person that comes to mind would probably be my grandpa...But then in terms of entertainment, if I could take a walk with somebody...first person that came to mind was Jimi Hendrix.” (02:13)

2. Embracing Gratitude and Maturity (03:48, 05:40)

• Rome reflects on reaching age 37 and how aging has enhanced his self-assurance and gratitude—both in personal life and music.
• Quote (Rome):

  “Once you get to a point where you’re actually able to put food on your family’s table through music, that’s a blessing...I’m very grateful for that.” (03:48)

• He discusses letting go of the need to be liked by everyone, echoing lessons learned from his mother-in-law.
  • Quote: “The older you get, the less you give a shit about what people think and you just get more sure of yourself.” (05:40)

3. Musical Upbringing in California (07:50)

• Grew up in the Bay Area in the 90s, surrounded by hip-hop and classic rock (Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Motown, Stones, Led Zeppelin).
• Introduction to Sublime at age 11 marked a turning point: their genre-melding sound catalyzed his transition from being a music fan to aspiring musician.
• Personal struggles: shared about family challenges, including his father’s battle with addiction, and how songwriting became a vital outlet.
• Quote (Rome):

  “Hearing Sublime for the first time...it really transitioned me from being a listener to wanting to learn how to play an instrument...I got a guitar and...the more I played, the less I was skateboarding.” (07:50)

4. Achieving the Dream—and The Role of Serendipity (12:17)

• Childhood wishes were always about becoming a “professional musician”—not fame, but earning a living with music.
• Moving to LA took effort but it led to unexpected breaks—joining Sublime with Rome was an unimaginable dream that came true.
• Quote (Rome):

  “Never in a million years, when I was listening to Sublime as a kid, did I think one day I’d be jamming with Bud and Eric, singing those songs. It’s crazy.” (12:17)

• Meeting The Dirty Heads—collaborated on “Lay Me Down” before ever joining Sublime.

5. The “Lay Me Down” Breakthrough (15:40)

• Story of how “Lay Me Down” became a hit: a demo unexpectedly chosen by radio legend Kevin Weatherly, played live, and changed his life overnight.
• Quote (Rome, on hearing himself on the radio for the first time):

  “We just sat there and I almost blew her speakers out. We turned it up so dang loud...It just takes you right back to being a kid. This is why I do it.” (19:11)

6. Artistry, Pressure, and Leaving Sublime with Rome (20:27)

• Wrestling with the fear that success is “almost too good to be true,” and how the pressure grows with added responsibilities (family, band, business).
• Finding trust and happiness in stepping out on his own artistically.
• Quote (Rome):

  “Just within the last year, honestly, leaving Sublime was when I figured out and trusted myself and...I have music that I’d die for. And that’s the energy.” (20:27)

7. Behind the New Solo Project: Why Me? (23:05)

• Pandemic Shift: With touring on pause, Rome returned to writing for himself again, experimenting with pure self-expression and rediscovering his authentic sound.
• Creative Freedom: Unlike writing for others, his solo work was “so free and so creative.”
• Why Me?: Title track is an expression of gratitude, flipping the old “Why me?” from a complaint to an expression of wonder and thanks.
  • Album art is a childhood photo with Sublime posters—a full-circle homage.
• Quote (Rome):

  “I wanted to flip an old age-old saying, ‘why me?’—turning it into ‘why me, I’m so grateful.’” (25:24)

8. Highlights from the Upcoming Album (27:02)

• “Slow and Easy”: written for his wife, focuses on slowing down and reconnecting with what matters, features Dirty Heads for a “full circle” moment.
• “New Me”: deals with reinvention and being misunderstood or boxed in by others’ expectations; applies to personal and professional relationships.
• Playing new music at festivals (Cali Vibes, Cali Roots, Summerfest) with an “old-fashioned” approach—trying songs live and letting crowd feedback guide the development.
• Quote:

  “I like being with my fans and letting them help me determine the songs that we need in the movement.” (28:13)

9. Reflections and Advice to His Younger Self (31:58)

• Practical advice: “Drink less alcohol, for sure.” (31:58)
• Lessons learned: values life lessons from mistakes and from watching his father; takes pride in being a good dad.
• Wouldn’t change his past struggles, as they shaped who he is.
• Quote:

  “I learned a lot about life watching my old man. I wouldn’t change a damn thing about it...All that stuff led me to this point now.” (31:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Artistic Identity:
  “There’s this kind of feeling with artistry where it’s like—almost too good to be true. That can drive you mad...but once you start packing on responsibilities...it starts to put pressure on it...I think it’s important to kind of shake all that.” (20:27)

• On Hitting the Road and New Zones:
  “You know the term ‘the zone?’ You are in a zone. I could absolutely tell with this new music and hitting the road.” —Buzz Knight, (31:11)

• On Gratitude and Perspective:
  “One of the most important decisions you’ll ever make is when you wake up, if the world’s gonna be a good place or if it’s like a harmful, terrible place...I wanted to flip ‘Why me?’—not about pity, but about being grateful.” (25:24)

• On Full Circle Moments:
  “It was like [Dirty Heads and I]—a summer anthem for our age generation. So...I gotta put my boys on it. Almost full circle, you know.” (28:13)

Important Timestamps

• [02:13] – Rome’s dream “walk” companions (his grandfather, Jimi Hendrix)
• [03:48] – Rome on gratitude and family
• [05:40] – The wisdom of growing older and self-assurance
• [07:50] – Childhood in California and early musical influences
• [12:17] – Dream come true: joining Sublime
• [15:40] – Creation and breakout of “Lay Me Down”
• [19:11] – Hearing himself on the radio for the first time
• [20:27] – Fear, responsibility, and belief as an artist post-Sublime
• [23:05] – The creative process behind Why Me?
• [27:02] – Songwriting highlights: “Slow and Easy” and “New Me”
• [31:58] – Rome’s advice to his younger self

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich, candid exploration of Rome Ramirez’s journey: his early musical awakening, dreams realized and surpassed, the pressures of carrying a legacy, and his new era of honest, grateful creativity. Listeners will come away with insights into both the struggles and rewards of reinvention, and the importance of staying true to oneself while honoring the past.