Blink-182, the kings of pop-punk from San Diego, are reuniting.
For the first time in seven years, Tom DeLonge is reuniting with bandmates Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker. The band stated on their website and social media that they will embark on a global tour beginning in March 2023 and that they would release a new song, “Edging,” on Friday, followed by a new album.
DeLonge has left the band twice and rejoined both times. Matt Skiba of the band Alkaline Trio has taken his position for the previous seven years.
The band began in 1992 and played at YMCAs, basements, and VFW halls across San Diego before releasing their debut record, Cheshire Cat, in 1995 and drawing the attention of big record labels. Blink-182 had substantial radio exposure with the song “Dammit” off their 1997 album Dude Ranch.
Before Scott Raynor was dismissed in 1998 and replaced by Travis Barker, the original lineup included Scott Raynor on drums, Mark Hoppus on bass, and Tom DeLonge on guitar. This set the stage for the band to record 1999’s Enema of the State, which became a massive commercial success, selling over 15 million albums.
The band was noted for their sense of humor and music videos that played on MTV regularly. Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, published in 2001, became their second best-selling album. They released a self-titled album in 2003, which had a more mature tone.
Tensions within the band caused DeLonge to leave and form Angels and Airwaves in 2005, while Hoppus and Barker launched their own group +44.
After Barker was nearly murdered in an aircraft crash that killed four people and badly wounded Adam Goldstein, known as “DJ AM,” the band reformed in 2008.
After Barker recovered from his injuries, Blink-182 toured again and released Neighborhoods in 2011. The band continued together for another seven years before DeLonge left again, claiming artistic disagreements.