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Blink-182

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Blink-182 is an American rock band that formed in August 1992 in Poway, a suburb of San Diego in California. The guitarist Tom DeLonge met the drummer Scott Raynor at a Battle of the Bands, and through acquaintances came into contact with the bassist Mark Hoppus. The group grew out of the skate punk scene of Southern California and stood out for its energetic performances and silly humour. The first albums, Cheshire Cat in 1995 and Dude Ranch in 1997, appeared on an independent label and brought success in San Diego and in Australia.

Music and breakthrough

In 1998 Raynor was fired and Travis Barker joined on drums. The band then signed with MCA Records. The 1999 album Enema of the State, with All the Small Things, and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket from 2001 were their biggest successes. Dammit and What's My Age Again? also became hits and staples of MTV. Later came, among others, blink-182 in 2003, Neighborhoods in 2011, California in 2016 and One More Time in 2023. DeLonge left the group twice; in his absence Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio played with them.

Influence

The sound is called pop punk: catchy pop melodies combined with fast punk rock and simple arrangements. The lyrics deal with relationships, teenage frustration and not wanting to grow up. In this way they gave pop punk a new step towards the mainstream in the late 1990s.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to All the Small Things. Notice how short and simple the chords are and how the chorus in particular sticks in your head.

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

Categories: ArtistsPop punk