Blink 182
From LoveToKnow Music
| Blink 182 | |
| Genre | Rock Music |
| Origin | San Diego, USA |
| Active | 1995-2005 |
| Albums | Dude Ranch (1997) Cheshire Cat (1998) Enema of the State (1999) The Mark, Tom & Travis Show (2000) Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001) Greatest Hits (2005) |
| Songs | Dammit (1997) What's My Age Again? (1999) All The Small Things (2000) Stay Together For The Kids (2002) Always (2004) |
| Website | Official Blink 182 website |
Southern California’s Blink 182 rode the late 90’s pop-punk wave to become a pervasive force on the international music scene. Their strength lay in their ability to write highly melodic and catchy anthems for a disaffected MTV generation. Their often witty and heartfelt lyrics brutally depict the anxieties of middle-class teenagers. They talk, dress and act like the kids who buy their records, and much of their success can be attributed to their world-class music videos, which combine sharp narrative, screwball comedy and often humiliating endings.
Blink 182's Early Music Career
The original line-up, known as ‘Blink’, included bassist Mark Hoppus, lead guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Scott Raynor. Blink toured tirelessly on the back of their self-released ‘Fly Swatter’ EP in 1993, gaining notoriety for their comical live shows and tendency to take their clothes off in public.
Their next release was a 1,000-only cassette copy of ‘Buddha’, which went on the form much of the band’s 1995 full-length debut, ‘Chesire Cat’. Long-time acquaintance of the band, Travis Barker, replaced Scott Raynor on drums in 1997 after Raynor returned to his studies. Soon after, ‘Blink’ added the moniker, 182, after being challenged by an Irish techno outfit of the same name.
Music Success
Blink 182 had their first taste of commercial success with the album, ‘Dude Ranch’ (1997), which featured the hit single, ‘Dammit’. Their relentless touring schedule increased with the resurgence of the global surf and skate scene. Blink 182’s inclusion on the Vans Warped Tour, plus regular support gigs with punk legends Pennywise and NOFX, led the band’s 1999 release, ‘Enema of the State’, to reach an entirely fresh audience. Another reason for the band's success with 'Enema of the State' was the band's new producer, Jerry Finn. Finn had previous success with helping the careers of punk bands Offspring and Rancid.
Growing Musicianship
Soon after, ‘The Tom, Mark and Travis Show’ (2000) signalled a maturity in production, while ‘Take Off Your Pants and Jacket’ (2001) was evidence of a band well and truly in control of their songwriting. The album debuted atop the US Billboard charts. After their 2001 album and subsequent tour, the band decided to take a much needed break from the hectic world that was Blink 182. Mark Hoppus, a new father, wanted to spend time with his immediate family. Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker, however, started side projects.
Blink 182- Over?
With the recent success of two side projects, Boxcar Racer and Angels and Airwaves, and the 2005 release of Blink 182’s ‘Greatest Hits’, a hum of uncertainty surrounds the band’s immediate future. Travis Barker has gained another level of fame on his own with a reality series on MTV. Fans have been dreading an official announcement that Blink 182 may be no more. Regardless, the band has successfully tapped into a culture of youthful anxiety and unformed identity. Their mixture of bitterness and tomfoolery was playful enough to grab the world’s attention, yet serious enough to hold onto it.
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-- Contributed by: CHANTELLE DURANDThis page has been accessed 2,394 times. This page was last modified 22:30, 22 April 2008.
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