Red and yellow lights flashed violently across the stage and around the walls. Fans poured into the pit to find a spot in front of the stage and catch a closer glimpse of Badfish.

When the tribute band to Sublime finally took the stage, the crowd began to sing along and sway back and forth.

Thursday night at the Newport Music Hall, Joel Hanks (bass), Scott Begin (drums) and Dave Ladin (guitar/vocals) recreated the original sound of Sublime, a band popular in the 1990s.

Thirty-year-old drummer Scott Begin said while Badfish recreates Sublime’s music, they put their own spin on it and the result is a “hell of a good time.”

“We’re not trying to be Sublime or look like them,” Begin said. “People who come realize we’re up there having a blast, the music is great and all the credit is to Sublime.”

Six years ago, the members of the band met at the University of Rhode Island where they were students.

“It was music we really enjoyed,” Begin said. “No other band was focusing on this music.”

Sublime broke up in 1996 after lead singer Bradley Nowell died of a heroin overdose. Despite his death and the breakup of the band, Sublime’s fame continued to skyrocket as their self-titled compact disc produced before Nowell’s death topped the charts.

Badfish keeps the essence of Sublime alive by offering an amazing concert experience and its own rendition of Sublime’s most popular work.

The minute the band took the stage the viewers stared eagerly at the performers. Looking around the hall everyone seemed to be at ease listening to “What I Got,” “Wrong Way” and “Santeria.”

“They have an energy that makes people respond live,” Begin said.

The audience, including the bartenders, connected with Badfish, screaming lyrics and swaying to the beat.

The music transformed the crowd into a euphoric state. Fans gathered in front of the stage, singing and dancing.

Danielle Burns, a freshman in architecture at Ohio State, was ecstatic when her favorite song, “Doin’ Time” came on. For an avid Sublime fan such as Burns, Badfish is the next best thing.

“They’re pretty good but not as good as Sublime,” Burns said.

Kelly Oliver-Hornyak can be reached at [email protected].