blink-182

Blink-182 ignited the pop-punk wave of the 1990s, leading the genre with energetic riffs and unforgettable lyrics—“Fuck a Dog,” anyone? The band has experienced lineup shifts over time, but its main trio (Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus, and Travis Barker) has largely remained intact. In 2015, DeLonge departed to explore other avenues. As of 2022, DeLonge has rejoined.

Formed in 1992 in Poway, California (a San Diego suburb), DeLonge, Hoppus, and original drummer Scott Raynor created the band in Raynor’s bedroom, crafting songs for their demos and playing pranks along the way. Initially named Blink, they had to modify their name to avoid a legal clash with an Irish pop-rock band, so they added “182” at random (the meaning of “182” still sparks fan speculation).

Following their demo album Buddha, blink-182 released Cheshire Cat in 1995 via Cargo Records. While not a significant success initially, the album stirred excitement in the Southern California punk scene and attracted major labels. Upon signing with MCA Records, they released Dude Ranch in 1997, featuring hit singles “Dammit” and “Josie.”

In 1998, Scott Raynor was dismissed because of his drinking, which impacted the band's performance and caused tension. Travis Barker, previously with The Aquabats, filled in for Raynor during a West Coast mini-tour and promptly became the new permanent drummer. His drumming style significantly changed the band's sound, influencing their songwriting. With their new producer Jerry Finn, blink-182 recorded their next album.

Enema of the State (1999) was the band's first massive commercial triumph, selling over 15 million copies globally, supported by singles “What’s My Age Again?”, “All the Small Things,” and “Adam’s Song.” Their 2001 album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, hit #1 on the U.S. Billboard charts and introduced catchy tracks like “First Date.” The 2003 self-titled album showcased a shift in their music style, reflecting maturity and fatherhood in songs like “I Miss You” and “Down.”

The band took a break from 2005 to 2009. During this hiatus, DeLonge focused on Angels & Airwaves (with influences from Box Car Racer), Hoppus led +44 alongside Barker, who also worked on solo drum projects and collaborated with the late DJ AM. After reuniting in 2009 following Barker's plane crash, they released Neighborhoods in 2011 to critical praise, despite divisive reactions among fans.

With DeLonge's exit in 2015, Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba was announced as his replacement. The new formation entered the studio in August 2015 to work on their seventh album, California, which came out on July 1, 2016.

Their eighth album, NINE, launched with singles like “Blame It On My Youth”, “Generational Divide”, “Happy Days”, “Darkside”, and “I Really Wish I Hated You” in 2019. This was the final full album featuring Skiba, who departed in 2022 when DeLonge returned.

The album One More Time…, released on October 20, 2023, marks their first release with Tom DeLonge since Neighborhoods.