Wilson and Bud Gaugh met in 1979 and later started a punk band called Hogan's Heroes, later changing their name to Sloppy Seconds. In 1988, Wilson introduced friend Bradley Nowell to his long-time friend Bud Gaugh, and the three of them went on to form Sublime. After the death of Sublime's lead vocalist Bradley Nowell in 1996, which disbanded Sublime, Wilson temporarily joined up with 1960s style surf rock band Del Noah & the Mt. Ara Ratfinks, with whom he played the stand-up bass. At the same time, Wilson and Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh—along with many friends—started to experiment with the unique Sublime sound. They eventually formed many Sublime-related bands, most of whom signed with the Long Beach record label Skunk Records. In 1997, Long Beach Dub Allstars formed, but broke up in 2002. Long Beach Dub Allstars' first album, Right Back was released in 1999. Long Beach Dub Allstars' second albumWonders of the World was released in 2001. Wilson then joined a band with lead singer of Long Beach Dub Allstars RAS-1 called Long Beach Shortbus. The band later split in October 2007. Wilson currently plays the drums in a psychedelic rock band called StoneWing who went on a 2009 tour of the Midwest and Colorado with Midwest Reggae Rockers Jon Wayne and The Pain out of Minneapolis. Wilson also plays in an Iggy Pop cover band called The STyMiES. It was announced in early 2009 that Wilson would be reuniting with Sublime at Cantina Los Tres Hombres in Sparks, Nevada on February 28 with Bud Gaugh and new frontman and guitarist Rome Ramirez, in place of Bradley Nowell. Following positive response, the band decided to reunite properly in August 2009 for a possible tour and new album. However, not long after the October 2009 performance at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name and the band was forced to change the name. The new lineup of Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh and Rome Ramirez performed together as Sublime with Rome. Their debut album, Yours Truly was released on July 12, 2011. In December 2011, Gaugh left Sublime with Rome, reportedly to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Josh Freese and the band has continued to tour.
Personal Life
On April 2, 2019, Wilson broke his arm and four ribs in an ATV accident on his avocado ranch in California. Days after, he was reported to be in stable condition at a San Diego hospital.
