Blink 182

blink-182 was made up of three members: Thomas (Tom) Matthew Delonge on guitar, Markus (Mark) Allan Hoppus playing bass, and Travis Landon Barker on drums. The band is greatly regarded worldwide for their catchy punk-pop melodies as well as their satirical toilet humour. blink-182 are unusual amongst punk bands (even pop-punk bands) for playing uptempo songs in a major key, with prominent major-chord harmonies that are usually digitally mixed to provide a much 'cleaner' sound than most other punk/rock recordings, which generally employ downtuned guitars, distortion and a ragged analogue mix to achieve the opposite effect. The lyrical content of their songs is humourous and often uplifting.. These aspects of their music are so apparent, and so particular to the band that often a blink-182 song can be recognised by the opening guitar chord.

In 1992, when Mark moved to San Diego, California he was introduced to Tom whilst looking to start a band. Apparently both 'fell in love at first sight' as they shared many things in common. In order to make the band complete, they decided that they needed to look for a drummer. Tom discovered a kid named Scott Raynor at his school who just happened to play drums. Although Scott was a religious Metallica fan, he agreed to join the band. After considering a number of names (such as Duck Tape) the band agreed to call themselves just 'blink'. This would later have the numbers 182 added onto the end to avoid legal conflicts with a pre-existing Irish band named 'blink' (see below).

Towards the end of 1993 blink released an EP known as Flyswatter. This demo was recorded using a boom box in Scott's bedroom, thus explaining the poor sound quality. Before the end of the year, the band released yet another demo cassette known as Buddha. Around 1000 copies of this were produced by Cargo Filter Records. In early 1994, blink released their first full-length debut album, Cheshire Cat, released on Grilled Cheese Records. The album contained many new versions of songs that appeared on the Buddha demo.

Shortly after the release of Cheshire Cat, blink were threatened with legal action by a techno band in Ireland of the same name. In order to avoid a lengthy lawsuit, blink added the numbers 182 to the end of their name. Although there are rumours as to why these numbers were chosen, all band members have made it clear that they are totally random and do not represent 'Mark's ideal weight', as one fan claimed.

During the pop punk boom of the 1990s, blink-182 were signed onto record giants MCA. After moving to Encinitas, California, the band recorded the album Dude Ranch with producer Mark Trombino. The album was a hit as two singles ('Josie' and 'Dammit') rose to the top of US airplay charts. Unfortunately, in 1998, a slight setback occurred amongst within the band. Scott, who had a serious drinking problem at the time, was reportedly asked to leave the band and go to rehab, although there are also reports that he decided to leave to go to college and earn a degree. Scott disappeared midway through a US tour, leaving the band in need of a replacement drummer. Travis Barker, who was playing with support band The Aquabats, decided to play for them that night. After quickly picking up the songs, the other members decided to ask Barker to join as a permenant member, and Scott left the band.

1999 saw the release of the highly-anticipated album Enema Of The State. The CD was successful, propelling the band to pop fame, and gaining a large amount of airtime on MTV and TRL. This was largely due to the commercial success of the songs 'What's My Age Again', 'Adam's Song', and 'All The Small Things'. The sound on 'Enema Of The State' was rooted in the same genre as earlier pop-punk bands such as NOFX, Green Day, and The Offspring, but it was more accessible to the mainstream, with a pop-feel. Many original fans felt that the band had strayed from their punk rock roots.

2001 saw blink continue their commercial success, recording Take Off Your Pants & Jacket, which followed the same basic formulas as 'Enema Of The State'. In 2001, blink appeared on the cover of 'CosmoGirl', and won a 'Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award'. Tom Delonge and Travis Barker were involved in side-projects The Transplants and Box Car Racer, bands which explored alternative musical styles..

In 2002, bands such as Good Charlotte, New Found Glory, and Simple Plan began following the same route as blink, marking the expansion of the pop punk genre. The band released their next album in 2003. Described as a self-meditation on romantic decay, their untitled 5th record featured the hit singles 'Feeling This', 'I Miss You', 'Down' and the 80's-influenced 'Always'. Travis Barker has confirmed that the band left the album untitled (rather than eponymous) to represent a whole new blink. It showcased a style of music deeper than anything blink had ever done previously, but still got a good deal of play on pop stations and MTV. Critics have deemed their sound similar to that of The Police and U2, although members of the band claim they took most of their influence from The Cure, whose frontman Robert Smith appeared on 'All of This.' Listeners called the riffs heavier and the lyrics profound. A tour with No Doubt was very successful in the summer of 2004 as well.

After cancelling a Tsunami benefit gig on February 21, 2005, the band announced the following day that they would take an indefinite hiatus, but left open the possibility of a possible reunion at some point in the future.