They’ve hosted sold out shows at The Soapbox Laundrolounge twice already, and on Jan. 24 they plan to do it all over again. Badfish, named after a Sublime song, is a tribute band formed in 2001 by three New England pals with a love for Sublime’s music and an attitude that matches the group they pay homage to.

Badfish has played for sold out crowds around the U.S. From Atlantic City to Boston and Toronto to New York City. Even though the band has played big venues, they still love the intimacy of small venues.

The Providence, R.I. based band features Joel Hanks on bass, Scott Begin on drums, and singer Dave Ladin. Pat Downes joined the band in 2005 and adds keyboards to the mix.

On their first tour they played at Wilmington’s own Marrz Theatre, over three years ago. Since then the band has played two sold out shows at Soapbox and Badfish looks forward to the 24th. Joel Hanks, bassist, said, “All the beach towns on the east coast and the west coast have more of that (Sublime) fan base.”

The Sublime mixture of reggae and ska punk melds well around the coast with the skate and surf community. “It’s great there. One of the good things about Wilmington is the colleges and the beach town,” Hanks said.

Of forming the band, Hanks said, “It was just an idea. We are obviously big fans.” They say they play for fun, and because they wanted to hear Sublime but never had the chance to. But drummer Begin said “What we’re doing now is mainly for touring; we plan to record our own work soon.” Their own music will have a definite reflection on their Sublime influence.

Since 1996, the world has been devoid of Sublime but Badfish is possibly the closest thing to their drive, sound and emotions. The band sounds unmistakably like Sublime but they have their own way of performing which makes them more than just a tribute band.

With another sold out show in sight, Badfish, is ready to take the stage in Wilmington. They plan to remind people of one of the best bands the music world lost in the 1990s. Even more than that, they hope to reach out and influence others the way that Sublime influenced them.