The three members of the Southern California pop-punk band Blink-182 announced they are getting back together, big news considering their 2005 breakup ended a run of platinum-selling albums. Tom DeLong, Mark Hoppus, and Travis Barker made the announcement last night during the Grammy Awards. The band has been officially on hiatus since February 2005 after what DeLonge described in an in-depth interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune as a “major blowout.” Since then DeLonge has gone on to form the band Angels & Airwaves, while Hoppus and Barker put together the band +44.
Per Rolling Stone:
“Isn’t it great to see the Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder back together again,” Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus joked as his band — together again — took the stage at the Grammy Awards to present the trophy for Best Rock Album to Coldplay. “We used to play music together, and we decided to play music together once again,” added Travis Barker. The bottom line: “Blink-182 is back.”
In November 2008, after the plane crash in South Carolina that left 4 people dead and nearly killed Barker and his friend DJ AM, Hoppus blogged that the trio had resumed talking. Barker, the band’s drummer, has since indicated that the plane crash was a large factor in the decision to reunite with his friends and band mates.
Per Rolling Stone:
“In the midst of everything else that has happened lately, Tom, Travis, and I have all spoken together,” he wrote. “First through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for a few hours. … We’re just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking.”
Along with announcing the return of Blink 182, they also took the stage to remind fans why they were missed so much in the first place. The band rocked the stage to perform one of Blink 182’s classic hits “What’s My Age Again.” After the Grammys, an official announcement from the band was released:
Per Rolling Stone:
“Hi. We’re blink-182. This past week there’ve been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, We’re back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy. Summer 2009. Thanks and get ready…”
The return of Blink 182 is being very well received among fans who were shocked when the band split in early 2005. Fans have been eager for the band to reunite, me included! “New Moon” and a Blink 182 record — 2009 is going to be a great year!
