Mark Hoppus - Bass & Vocals
Travis Barker - Drums
Tom DeLonge - Guitar & Vocals
American rock band formed in Poway, California in 1992
Genres considered - Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Skate Punk, Alternative Rock
Lyrics cover relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity or lack thereof
Enema of the State - 3rd album (1999) ... Greater commercial success
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket - 4th album (2001) ... Greater commercial success
Most noted singles - "All the Small Things," "Dammit," "What's My Age Again?" - MTV staples
- History -
Formation and initial years (1992 - 1994)
- Blink 182 worked hard toward success early on by booking their own shows anywhere that said yes, such as YMCA centers, constant calls to San Diego clubs, local high schools for assembly or lunchtime performances ("motivational band with a strong antidrug message")
- Blink 182 soon landed the opening band for acts at Soma (concert venue in Midway neighborhood of San Diego, California).
Early releases and touring (1995 - 1998)
- Cargo Records - Offered to sign on a trial basis
- Cheshire Cat - Debut, Released in February 1995
- Noted by Irish band Blink ... The trio was forced to change their name to avoid legal battle and change by the record label. A random number, 182, was chosen for the band to become Blink 182.
- Blink 182 hired a manager, caught the attention of a booking agency, and in 1995 launched their first national tour to promote the surf video Good Times. The tour extended to Australia, funded by Pennywise (American punk rock band). Further trips on the tour included Canada and Japan.
- "Dammit" - Second single, Heavy airplay on modern rock stations
- Tensions in 1998 - Original drummer, Scott Raynor, was fired in 1998 due to heavy drinking despite agreeing to rehab and quit drinking
Mainstream breakthrough and continued success
(1999 - 2004)
- Enema of the State - 3rd album, 1999
By this time, Blink 182 had become one of the biggest international rock bands.
"What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things," and "Adam's Song" - radio staples and link to MTV set their fame
New performances in amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums ... At the beginning of the tour, the band drove a van with attached trailer. At the end of the tour, they flew in private jets and stayed in five-star hotels.
Blink 182 was known for juvenile behavior (which they soon grew unhappy with).
- Take Off Your Pants and Jacket - 4th album, 2001
First No. 1 in the U.S.
Pop Disaster Tour - co-headlining with Green Day
Intense pace took a toll on the band & felt rushed by executives to "make quarterly revenue statements"
Box Car Racer - 2002, Tom DeLonge project ... Brought in Travis Barker, left out Mark Hoppus (caused hurt in the relationship)
an untitled album - 2003 ... Inspired by lifestyle changes as all three members became fathers before album release ... Global tour including Japan, Australia, and troops in the Persian Gulf during the first year of the Iraq War
Unresolved tensions within the band (trying schedule, Box Car Racer, and DeLonge wanting to spend more time with family) clearly showed
Hiatus, side projects, and Barker's plane crash
(2005 - 2008)
"Indefinite hiatus" in February 2005
DeLonge - Torn between creative freedom in the band and toll touring was taking on his family ... Requested six months off from touring
Hoppus & Barker - Felt DeLonge's want was too long
Increasing contention toward one another
DeLonge quit and founded Angels & Airwaves - band and "multimedia project" with albums, films, and interactive services
Hoppus and Barker recorded one album - +44
Barker - Rocky relationship with former Miss USA Shanna Moakler made them popular in tabloids
In August 2008, producer and mentor Jerry Finn passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage.
In September 2008, Barker and collaborator Adam Goldstein were the only survivors in a plane crash that killed four. Barker sustained second and third degree burns and PTSD.
In October 2008, DeLonge, Hoppus, and Barker met to open up and discuss their differences. In their words -
Tom DeLonge - "So, what do you guys think? Where are your heads at?"
Mark Hoppus - "I think we should continue with what we've been doing for the past 17 years. I think we should get back on the road and back in the studio and do what we love doing."
Reunion (2009 - 2014)
At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Blink 182 announced their reunion. They went on a successful reunion tour of North America from July to October 2009 and Europe from August to September 2010.
- Neighborhoods - 6th album, 2011 ... Self-produced ... No. 2 on Billboard 200 ... "Up All Night" & "After Midnight" modest success ... Pop punk lost commercial relevance and led to disappointing album sales
2010s - "...growing evidence of continued friction..." ... Headlined the 10th Annual Honda Civic Tour with My Chemical Romance ... 20th Anniversary Tour in 2012 ... drummer Brooks Wackerman filled in for Barker, who was not able to fly yet ... 10th anniversary of the untitled album with a series of performances ... Reading and Leeds Festivals (4th appearance and 2nd headlining)
DeLonge's final performance with Blink 182 was at the Wine Amplified Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2014.
DeLonge's second exit and Matt Skiba era
(2015 - 2020)
In Tom DeLonge's words -
"Never planned on quitting. I just find it hard as hell to commit."
Vocalist/Guitarist Matt Skiba was the only one chosen to fill in and eventually join as an official member
- California - 7th album, July 2016 ... Second No. 1 on Billboard 200 ... No. 1 in the UK ... "Bored to Death" - Lead single, 3rd No. 1 on Alternative Songs chart ... The single and album gold certified ... First Grammy nomination ... North America tour (July to October 2016) & Europe tour (June & July 2017)
Matt Skiba's last performance with Blink 182 was in January 2020.
(All plans throughout 2020 were cancelled due to the pandemic.)
Hoppus' cancer battle and DeLonge's second return
(2021 - Present)
In June 2021, Hoppus confirmed a rare cancer diagnosis and secret treatment.
After the diagnosis, Hoppus met with DeLonge and Barker to discuss old problems, issues, and his diagnosis. Later in 2021, Hoppus was declared cancer-free but with twice yearly screening. At this time, the three felt that DeLonge could return to the band.
In October 2022, DeLonge's official return and Skiba's departure were announced as well as an upcoming album with world tour lasting two years.
"Edging" - 4th and longest-running No. 1 on Billboard Alternative Airplay ... Highest charting on Billboard Hot 100
- One More Time... - 9th album, October 2023 ... Commercial and critical success - 3rd No. 1 on Billboard 200 ... "back-to-basics" approach
- Deluxe edition - One More Time... Part 2, released September 2024
Tom DeLonge's words (August 2024) -
"...the band will be the priority forever...Honestly, I think this is a whole new beginning for the band. With what we're planning on doing, who we've become, and how we're doing it now I think it's really, really exciting..."
March & April 2025 - DeLonge and Hoppus announced plans for a new album
(Current, Former, Touring)
Discography ... Tours
