BLINK'S BIOGRAPHY

Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge began writing songs and playing together as Blink.
They were joined a month later by a friend of Delonge's, drummer Scott Raynor.
Their initial goal was to play in public. So DeLonge called up high schools and
would tell them, "We're a band and we tour high schools for a positive messages
for kids. And we're really anti-drug." Four high schools even believed him,
which meant that Blink soon was singing songs like, "Ben Wah Balls" and "Does
My Breath Smell?" for San Diego teens during their lunch hour.
When the three found out there was another band named Blink, they had to modify
their name. They considered "Blink Jr." or "Blink U.K." but ended up picking a
number at random. "We just pulled it out of our ass," says Hoppus. "A lot of
people think it's from Turk182, but why would we take a number from a terrible
movie?" The band recorded a demo tape, and played tiny San Diego clubs,
attracting Cargo Records, which put out 1995s record Cheshire Cat, which was
recorded in three days.
When Green Day went mega, Blink182 found themselves courted by a bevy of A&R
reps searching for other marketable punkers. Blink182 signed to MCA records,
and put out 1997's Dude Ranch, which was a big step forward: The songs were
catchier, funnier, and more poigant. On the strength of Dammit, a rueful, up-
tempo breakup song with the chorus, "I guess this is growing up," Dude Ranch
went platinum.
Raynor left the band; Hoppus doesn't want to talk about it, citing legal
concerns. They drafted Aquabats drummer, Travis Barker. He's the band's most
skilled musician, with training in everything from Jazz to Madrigals.
Since then Blink182 has come out with three more records, Enema of the State,
The Mark Tom and Travis Show (a live album), and Take Off Your Pants and
Jacket. Mark has gotten married, and so has Tom. Rumor has it Travis is
engaged! Congratulations to them!