Interesting Blink-182 Facts

50 weird and interesting facts about Blink-182:

1. Name Origin: The band originally wanted to call themselves “Blink,” but changed it to “Blink-182” to avoid legal issues with an Irish band called Blink.
2. Number Significance: The “182” in their name doesn’t have an agreed-upon meaning, but one theory suggests it refers to the number of times Al Pacino says the F-word in the movie Scarface.
3. Travis’s Tattoos: Drummer Travis Barker has over 100 tattoos, many of which are dedicated to his family and career.
4. Debut Album: Their first album, Cheshire Cat (1995), was recorded for just $20,000.
5. Self-Titled Album: Their 2003 self-titled album is often seen as a significant shift in their musical style, featuring darker themes and a more mature sound.
6. “What’s My Age Again?”: The music video for this song features the band running around naked, which became iconic and perfectly encapsulates their juvenile humor.
7. Barker’s Plane Crash: In 2008, Travis Barker survived a plane crash that killed four others, which led him to confront his fears and prioritize his life differently.
8. Musical Influences: The band’s sound is heavily influenced by bands like The Descendents and Bad Religion, showcasing their roots in punk rock.
9. Collaboration with Robert Smith: The band once considered collaborating with Robert Smith from The Cure, but it never materialized.
10. Mark’s Loveline: Mark Hoppus hosted a radio show called “Loveline” where he offered relationship advice alongside a therapist.
11. “First Date” Video: The music video for “First Date” was filmed in a real-life amusement park after hours.
12. Famous Ex: Mark Hoppus was previously married to his high school girlfriend, while Tom DeLonge’s ex-wife was also in the music industry.
13. “All the Small Things”: The video for this song parodies popular pop culture moments, including The Boy is Mine and Britney Spears.
14. Hiatus Drama: After their 2005 hiatus, there were rumors about a feud between the band members, but they later reunited amicably.
15. Animated Appearance: Blink-182 made an animated appearance in the show The Simpsons.
16. Cameo in American Pie: Their song “All the Small Things” is featured prominently in the film American Pie.
17. Tom’s UFO Interests: Tom DeLonge is an avid believer in UFOs and has written books on the subject, which has led to a unique career path outside of music.
18. Travis’s Musical Beginnings: Before joining Blink-182, Travis Barker played in a ska band called The Aquabats.
19. Mark’s Love for Comic Books: Mark Hoppus is a big fan of comic books and even started a comic book publishing company called Hoppus Comics.
20. Touring Stories: During tours, the band would often pull pranks on each other, leading to memorable stories.
21. Punk Rock Christmas: In 2011, the band released a Christmas album called Punk Rock Christmas.
22. Awards: Blink-182 has won numerous awards, including MTV Video Music Awards and Teen Choice Awards.
23. Hoppus’s Hair: Mark Hoppus’s hairstyle, with his signature spiky hair, became iconic during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
24. “Enema of the State” Cover: The cover art of their album Enema of the State features adult film actress Janine Lindemulder.
25. Tom’s Side Project: Tom DeLonge formed the band Angels & Airwaves during the band’s hiatus, which had a more experimental sound.
26. Zoolander Cameo: Blink-182 made a cameo appearance in the movie Zoolander, appearing as themselves.
27. The Christmas Song: They recorded a song called “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas,” which humorously describes the holiday blues.
28. Mark’s TV Show: Mark Hoppus had a TV show called Hoppus on Music, which featured interviews with various artists.
29. Signature Sound: The band is known for their use of catchy melodies, fast tempos, and humorous lyrics.
30. Influential Legacy: Blink-182 has been credited with helping to popularize pop-punk music in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
31. Tom’s Skateboarding: DeLonge is an avid skateboarder and often incorporates that lifestyle into his music and videos.
32. Barker’s Side Projects: Aside from Blink-182, Travis Barker has collaborated with artists across multiple genres, including hip-hop and pop.
33. “Feeling This” Video: The music video for “Feeling This” was directed by Sam Bayer, known for his work with Nirvana and Green Day.
34. Fan Culture: Blink-182’s fanbase is known for its dedication, with many fans tattooing the band’s logo or lyrics on their bodies.
35. Mark’s Pranks: Mark Hoppus has a reputation for pulling elaborate pranks on tour, often involving fake injuries or absurd scenarios.
36. Alternate Titles: The band considered various names for their songs, often coming up with humorous or absurd titles before settling on the final ones.
37. Travis’s Instrument: Barker plays a signature drum set designed specifically for him, reflecting his unique playing style.
38. Collaboration with DJ Khaled: Blink-182 collaborated with DJ Khaled for a remix of “I Really Don’t Care,” which showed their willingness to experiment with different genres.
39. Tom’s Book: DeLonge wrote a book called Sekret Machines, which combines elements of fiction and his beliefs in extraterrestrial life.
40. Cameo in The Simpsons: The band made a guest appearance in The Simpsons, where they performed “The Rock Show.”
41. Hoppus’s Merch Line: Mark Hoppus launched a line of merchandise called “Hoppus Merch,” showcasing his style and personality.
42. Inspiration for Video Games: Their music has inspired several video games and soundtracks, including Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
43. “Dude Ranch” Album: The band’s second studio album, Dude Ranch, includes a song called “Dick Lips,” showcasing their trademark humor.
44. Influence on New Bands: Many contemporary bands cite Blink-182 as a significant influence on their sound and style.
45. Travis’s Solo Work: Barker has released solo albums, showcasing his versatility as a musician and producer.
46. Tom’s Involvement in Film: DeLonge has expressed interest in filmmaking and has produced several short films related to his music.
47. Love for Animals: The band members are known for their love of animals and often support animal rescue charities.
48. “The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show”: Their live album features humorous banter and skits between songs, showcasing their personalities.
49. Wrestling Connection: Blink-182 has a connection to professional wrestling, having collaborated with WWE and even appearing at events.
50. Cultural Impact: Blink-182’s influence on pop culture extends beyond music, with references in television shows, movies, and even literature.

These facts highlight Blink-182’s quirky personality, diverse influences, and the cultural impact they’ve had over the years!