Blink-182 is an American
rock band from
Poway, California[8] that predominantly plays
pop punk music. The band was formed in 1992 as "Blink" with members
Tom DeLonge (vocals, guitar),
Mark Hoppus (vocals, bass) and
Scott Raynor (drums).
[9] In 1998, midway through a U.S. tour, drummer
Travis Barker replaced Raynor. DeLonge left the group in early 2005, initiating an indefinite hiatus. DeLonge went on to form
Angels & Airwaves, while Hoppus and Barker continued playing music together in
+44. On February 8, 2009, Blink-182 announced that they are continuing as a band, with the brief statement posted on their website saying "To put it simply, We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album," which followed minutes after the Grammy announcement.
[10]DeLonge cites punk rock bands Descendents and Screeching Weasel as influences,[11] although the band's songwriting and production are driven by a pop sensibility. Blink-182 is known for their simple melodies, teen angst and lyrical toilet humor, as well as by their hit singles "Dammit", "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things", "Adam's Song", "The Rock Show", "First Date", "Stay Together for the Kids", "Feeling This", "Always" and "I Miss You". When playing live, the band typically play their songs at a faster tempo and often replace certain lyrics with toilet humor and various gags. Hoppus often bounces around the stage when playing his bass, while DeLonge often remains in a static position while singing and playing his guitar. During performances the band often chat between themselves and the crowd, often casually insulting each other or telling jokes.[12]
After being expelled from Poway High School, Tom DeLonge attended Rancho Bernardo High School where he became friends with Anne Hoppus. DeLonge often expressed wanting to be in a band, so in August 1992 Anne introduced him to her brother Mark Hoppus, who also wanted to be in a band.[13] The two played for hours in DeLonge's garage, showing each other songs they had previously written, and writing new songs together. One of these songs would eventually become what is now "Carousel".[14] That night the two decided they needed to officially start a band, so DeLonge recruited friend Scott Raynor, who he had met at his school's Battle of the Bands competition. The three began playing together and called themselves Duck Tape, until DeLonge thought of the name Blink.[14]
The band practiced constantly, which angered Hoppus's girlfriend.[14] She told him he had to choose between the band and her, so he left the band just as it was starting. DeLonge then informed Hoppus that he borrowed a 4-track from a friend and he and Raynor were using it to make a demo tape. Upon hearing this, Hoppus decided he would leave his girlfriend and return to the band.
