It only took a few deaths and some third-degree burns to get the boys of blink-182 back together, but hey, whatever works, right? The trio, which includes the recently recovered drummer Travis Barker, along with Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLange, haven’t talked in four years after their messy 2005 break up, according to a Mark Hoppus blog. Are you all for a Blink-182 reunion no matter the cause? Then get on top of things now by visiting StubHub for the new Blink 182 tickets!
Barker’s September tragedy had the tattooed drummer and Adam Goldstein, aka DJ AM, the only surviving members of a deadly plane crash in Colombia, South Carolina that killed four including two associates of Barker and longtime blink-182 buds. The incident left the nation stunned as to the recoveries of Barker and Goldstein, who were both badly burned after their planes’ tire blew out during takeoff. Since the incident and subsequent recovery, Barker, along with bassist and vocalist Hoppus and guitarist/vocalist DeLange, have started to reconnect. The trio, which also faced another recent misfortune when Blink producer Jerry Finn died suddenly, have been “talking.” “In the midst of everything else that has happened lately, Tom, Travis and I have all spoken together,” Hoppus wrote in his blog. “First through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for few hours.”
Though any talks of a reunion are instantly denied, commenting that “Obviously the first question for a lot of people will be, ‘Does this mean a Blink-182 reunion?’ The answer is that none of us know. We haven’t talked about it at all…the events of the past two months supersede everything that happened before. Life is too short.” The group’s indefinite hiatus came February 2005 after the group had worked together for 12 years. While the past few years have connected the members in more ways than one, with Hoppus and Barker forming +44 in 2004 and DeLange with his own Angels & Airwaves (who constantly trashed blink-182’s image in an attempt to promote his new group), the members have finally put aside their differences and could potentially reconnect to add a few million more records to their already astounding 12.7 million. To come together, however, wouldn’t be a simple matter, though considering fans have been dreaming of this day since their last performance (December 16, 2004) and subsequent announcement a few months later.
Blink-182 formed in San Diego, California with DeLonge, Hoppus and original drummer Scott Raynor. Their 1993 debut Fly Swatter and album Buddha got the boys to work with Grilled Cheese/Cargo for 1995’s Cheshire Cat. Originally deemed Blink, after a lawsuit threat from an Irish group of the same led to their name change, they toured with Southern California’s Warped Tour and supported Pennywise and NOFX during their world tours. In 1997 the LP Dude Ranch appeared on Cargo and MCA, and with their fourth album, Enema of the State welcomed Barker into the group. The album became a commercial success with bubble-gum punk singles like “What’s My Age Again?” and “All the Small Things.” The four million sold record led to their next hit, The Mark, Tom and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back), a live album which followed Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, released in 2001.
DeLonge cites punk rock bands Descendents and Screeching Weasel as influences,[11] although the band's songwriting and production are driven by a pop sensibility. Blink-182 is known for their simple melodies, teen angst and lyrical toilet humour, as well as by their hit singles "Dammit", "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things", "Adam's Song", "The Rock Show", "First Date", "Stay Together for the Kids", "Feeling This", "Always" and "I Miss You".
After being expelled from Poway High School, Tom DeLonge attended Rancho Bernardo High School where he became friends with Anne Hoppus. DeLonge often expressed wanting to be in a band, so in August 1992 Anne introduced him to her brother Mark Hoppus, who also wanted to be in a band.[12] The two played for hours in DeLonge's garage, showing each other songs they had previously written, and writing new songs together. One of these songs would eventually become what is now "Carousel".[13] That night the two decided they needed to officially start a band, so DeLonge recruited friend Scott Raynor, who he had met at his school's Battle of the Bands competition. The three began playing together and called themselves Duck Tape, until DeLonge thought of the name Blink.[13]
The band practiced constantly, which angered Hoppus's girlfriend.[13] She told him he had to choose between the band and her, so he left the band just as it was starting. DeLonge then informed Hoppus that he borrowed a 4-track from a friend and he and Raynor were using it to make a demo tape. Upon hearing this, Hoppus decided he would leave his girlfriend and return to the band.
Travis Barker and DJ AM recently survived a deadly plane crash in Colombia, South Carolina. The two were on a flight Friday, September 19th when, according to investigations done by the National Transportation Safety Board, the planes’ tire blew out as it gained speed at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. With the investigation underway, NTSB spokeswoman Debbie Hersman noted that the investigation may take months to determine the underlying reasons as to the crash that killed four people, including the pilot and co-pilot and two associates of Barker. Barker and Adam Goldstein – better known as DJ AM – were left in critical but stable condition by the end of the weekend, having been severally burned in several places on their bodies.
Travis Barker is most recognized as the famed drummer of pop-punk group Blink 182. However, he first rose to the forefront of the punk-pop sound with the Suicide Machines and the Aquabats before landing the drummer spot with the boys of Blink-182. After this Fontana, California native’s mother passed just before he started high school, he took her advice and pursued music. When original blink-drummer left the group in 1998, Barker joined their lineup until its demise in 2005. He has continued to make his mark on the rock scene, working with Mark Hoppus in the group +44, as well as the hip-hop group Transplants, with Rancid’s Tim Armstrong. He also starred in his own reality television show for MTV, "Meet the Barkers," following his life with wife and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler. The two have two children together, 4-year-old Landon, and 2-year-old Alabama. Moakler flew to Georgia to be by Barker’s hospital bed, as UsMagazine reports that the two, who divorced in 2004, are back together. DJ AM had a famous visitor and ex-girl as well, in the form of pop singer Mandy Moore. Both of the families have sent out their condolences to those lost in the crash and to all the fans who have been giving the boys such support over the past few days.
"There are not enough words to express how thankful we are for the outpouring of love and support we have received during this very difficult time," Moakler told UsMagazine.com. "We can only ask for prayers as we heal and mourn the loss of our dear friends who we considered part of our family. Our lives will be changed forever." According to doctors, while the boys may make a full-recovering from their second- and third-degree burns that cover their torso, arms and head, it may take them up to a year to heal completely. Though Barker might possibly be out of the rock scene while he mends, the injuries will in no way stop him from creating more harsh punk music in the future. Make sure to support him and his roots, and pick up Blink-182 tickets for the best Barker sound.
Besides being one of the most recognized drummers, Barker is an entrepreneur. He founded the street-skate clothing company Famous Stars and Straps in 1999. He also co-founded LaSalle Records, where his most recent side project, Transplants, is signed, as well as opening up his own Wahoo’s Fish Taco restaurant in Norco, California. For the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards he was the sole drummer for the lengthy show, which you can get VMA tickets for now.
