40oz. to Freedom is the 1992 debut album by the Southern California ska-punk band Sublime released by Skunk Records and again by MCA. Along with The Offspring's 1994 album Smash, 40oz. to Freedom is one of the highest-selling independently released albums of all time [1]. And the cover of 40oz. to Freedom — a drawing of a depressed sun tripping out on itself — would go on to be forever associated with a band that has now sold over 17 million albums internationally. The cover art was created by muralist and tattoo artist Opie Ortiz, a close friend to the band; he gave singer-songwriter Bradley Nowell his “Sublime” tattoo. According to bassist Eric Wilson “It's about a forty-ouncer and the walk to the liquor store — that was our freedom” [2].

Ross’s Take: “It was the summer of my junior or senior year. Had a big ol’ system in my truck to blare it out. Great band, great art and more punk.”

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40oz._to_Freedom

[2] https://www.laweekly.com/40oz-to-freedom-is-20-years-old-we-reminisce-and-speak-with-sublimes-new-incarnation/



Mural Installed:

April 4, 2020

Artists:

Karen Hegglin
Lynne Lampl
Pat Lewis
Nacho Moya
Les Taylor
Lina Velasquez
Sandra Willson
Nancy Wulff

Art Director:
Dan Craig

Photographer:
Kim Bush
Videographer:
Robert Schlaefli

Installers:
Brandon Kuskie
Ross Kelly