Blink 182 mark a much needed change in the trend of modern music. Radio and television devout much of their time split between two breeds of tunes, both of which can be thought of as questionable. On one hand is the influx of money-pop — those plastic chart-topping, radio-friendly bands and artists such as Britney Spears and ‘N Sync which exist for the primary purpose of cranking out another number #1 hit for teeny-boppers and the musically moronic. One the other hand is the growing number of “rock” bands (Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind) who don’t ring quite true when it comes to their genre. As rock-tended as they attempt to be, one still gets the impression that money, and not music, is driving their craft. So where do Blink 182 fit into this picture? Gleefully, and not giving a flying-eyed f**k, as the trio freely admits, and boldly takes pride in.
The band originated in San Diego, where friends Mark Hoppus (bass/vocals), Tom Delonge (guitar/vocals) and Scott Raynor (drums) took delight raising hell and generally acting their age (later the basis for one of their biggest hits to date, “What’s My Age Again”). Forever foolish, the band claims they were initially attracted to one another due to their shared love of graphic humor, girls and general laziness.
Lazy the band is not, having already successfully conquering radio and television, only on their terms. Credited for the re-birth of interest in punk music, Blink 182 is unlike few other bands in contemporary music. Hard, crass and lyrically questionable, the band has inspired a new generation of punk bands, many of which are seeing new interest in their craft, and increased airtime due to the exploits of Blink 182.
The band first “hit the scene” with the release of their debut Cheshire Cat, on the Grilled Cheese label, in 1995.
They quickly followed with Map Of The Universe (Lime/Parloplan), which did little in the way of record sales, but paved the way for a record deal with Cargo Music and MCA Records. Their first major label release Dude Ranch was met with moderate success, and whetted fans appetite for more.
It was with Blink 182’s 1998 release Enema of the State that the band became a worldwide hot commodity. With a slightly altered line-up (drummer Scott Raynor left the band and was replaced by Travis Barker), the band hit the road and amazed crowds with a frenzied, energetic live show that only padded the band’s growing popularity. Success was now theirs, and they achieved this success without altering the music to conform with critic’s cries of corrupt lyrics and needless language. Blink 182 reflected what a whole generation of music fans were feeling and thinking (craziness and masturbation), and only grew larger for it.
Blink 182 has returned, with their first new album in three years. 2000’s limited release The Mark, Tom and Travis Show “contains all their hits, live favorites and witty concert banter as well as a new studio track ‘Man Overboard’”. The album mixes the band’s unparalleled talent for fast-paced guitar riffs with the energy and emotion of their live show.