We’ve been here before a few times…
…and now we’re back. The revolutionary pop punk act blink-182, though only broken up from 2005-2009, has not seen its original trio of Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker together since DeLonge dramatically departed for the second time in 2015.
On their reunion, the wailing tenor to fellow co-founder Hoppus’ baritone cited the latter’s 2021 cancer diagnosis in an Instagram letter penned to his replacement, Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio.
“Thank you for all that you have done to keep the band alive and thriving in my absence,” DeLonge wrote. He added, “Emotions between the three of us in Blink have always been complicated, but Mark’s cancer really put things in perspective. But to be honest, the band would not even be here today if it were not for your ability to jump in and save the day. So from my heart to yours, thank you for being a member of our band.”
With Hoppus ruled free of stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that same September, the rumor mill exploded with regard to the meetings that would take place between estranged pals– and what exactly those meets entailed. Immediately following Hoppus’ cancer diagnosis, DeLonge and their drumming sensation-turned-mediator Barker, whose near fatal 2008 plane crash inspired the band’s first reunion, had simultaneously visited Hoppus’ home unplanned. The trio met in the garden “for hours,” according to Express.co.uk, opened up with each other about old wounds and confronted how past pettiness is easily reduced to triviality in the face of that current moment.
After a year and rounds of infinite “hush-hushed” creative meetings later, the original formation is back with a new single (“EDGING”) and carnival-staged music video, which both dropped on Friday, October 14, and a new album to follow. What’s more: everyone from the late ‘90s, early ‘00s staples’ native San Diego, to the local homefront and across the globe they are about to tour are ready to belch “All the Small Things,” “I Miss You” and further iconography to the highest arena heavens.
“blink-182 is basically my childhood,” said Sgt. Carlos Bazan-Bergamino, 26, of Hauppauge and USMC recruiter out of the Smithtown office. “They had a very distinct sound and music. They always had that angsty teenage boy feel to them but also had that romantic sound to it at times. I’m excited for the new album because I can add those songs to the repertoire.”
“blink-182 was the background soundtrack to my teenage years,” Jon Andrews, 25, of Hauppauge, agreed. “Can’t believe they’re back together again— they need to stay together for the kids this time.”
Others in their “blinked up” fraternity of athletes who also hold an affinity for “Always,” “Anthem Pt. II” and Angels & Airwaves concur, with fellow Hauppauge ‘14 grad and current Commack High School history teacher, Sean Prahalis, noting the band’s impact on their genre. “Within a decade of moving from high schooler to teaching in one, the pop punk genre has transformed as new stars take the focus,” Prahalis said.
“When Blink-182 was originally together,” he adds, “there was certainly a sound that could be heard across many copycat bands. They were the zenith of the industry and others wanted to get as close as possible to that national stardom. However, upon their [2005] breakup and entering the early 2010s, the genre did not have the national presence it once did and many claimed it was dead. Blink’s reunion may inspire the industry to return to its roots.”
With Lennon-McCartneyesque ego-clashing between its alpha dogs, the songwriting tandem of Hoppus and DeLonge, blink-182 in many ways solidified its star by riding its visionary divide to the end of every rainbow instead of denying it. How else can you explain a band including a suicidally reflective chill-inducer like “Adam’s Song” and a toilet humor-positive satirical number in back-to-back tracks on what’s considered their best album, Enema of the State (1999)?
Like one famous Long Islander, Walt Whitman, this band too contains multitudes. And so does yet another Long Islander with blink-182 in his head, heart and bank statements.
“I had the pleasure of seeing blink-182 live during their ‘California Tour’ in 2016. The concert I attended was phenomenal but it wasn’t the true blink-182,” said Phil Romano – what’s his age again, what’s his age again? – of Hauppauge.
“Them getting back together means a great deal to me as a millennial growing up a mega fan of alternative rock,” Romano added. “Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus are like brothers. Sometimes brothers have disagreements and sometimes brothers fight. Sometimes they don’t talk for a while but at the end of the day they’re family. To see them back together, happy and doing what they love to do more than anything, it hits home. It’s relatable. And I think I could speak for many of us out there with brothers— it warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.”
It brings a smile to my face too, buddies. See you all at The Rock Show.
blink-182 is set to tear it up at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, UBS Arena in Elmont and at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in May. Tickets are selling out fast – purchase yours while you still can!
