Flyswatter-a combination of original songs and punk covers-was recorded in Raynor's bedroom in May 1993. Hoppus promptly broke up with his girlfriend and returned to the band. Shortly thereafter, DeLonge and Raynor borrowed a four-track recorder from friend and collaborator Cam Jones and were preparing to record a demo tape, with Jones on bass. Hoppus' girlfriend of the time was annoyed by his constant attention to the band, and demanded he make a choice between the band and her, which resulted in Hoppus leaving the band not long after its formation.

The trio first operated under a variety of names, including Duck Tape and Figure 8, until DeLonge rechristened the band 'Blink'. The trio began to practice together in Raynor's bedroom, spending time writing music, seeing movies and punk concerts, and playing practical jokes. Hoppus, hoping to impress DeLonge, fell from a lamppost in front of DeLonge's home and cracked his ankles, putting him in crutches for three weeks. The pair instantly connected and played for hours in DeLonge's garage, exchanging lyrics and co-writing songs-one of which became fan favorite 'Carousel'.

Worldwide, the group has sold 50 million albums, and have moved 13 million copies in the U.S.Īnne introduced her brother to DeLonge on August 2, 1992.

From 2015 to 2022, the band included Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist Matt Skiba, with whom they recorded two albums, California (2016) and Nine (2019) and toured in support of both.īlink-182's straightforward approach and simple arrangements, which helped initiate pop-punk's mainstream rise, made them popular among generations of listeners. Founding member Tom DeLonge quit the group twice, both times a decade apart, before eventually returning. Later efforts, including an untitled album (2003), marked stylistic shifts. Their biggest albums, Enema of the State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), saw international success.?]]' became hit singles and MTV staples. The group emerged from a suburban, Southern California skate-punk scene and gained notoriety for high-energy live shows and irreverent humor.Īfter years of independent recording and touring, including stints on the Warped Tour, the group signed to MCA Records. Their lyrics center on relationships, adolescent frustration, and maturity-or lack thereof. Though their sound has diversified throughout their career, their musical style blends catchy pop melodies with fast-paced punk rock. Their current lineup consists of bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Blink-182 (stylized as blink-182) is an American rock band formed in Poway, California, in 1992.

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