Blink 182
In August 1992, Tom DeLong and Mark Hoppus were introduced,and along with their friend Scott Raynor, they started a band, called Blink. However, after six years, Raynor left and was replaced the drummer recognised today, Travis Barker.
In August 1992, Tom DeLong and Mark Hoppus were introduced,and along with their friend Scott Raynor, they started a band, called Blink. However, after six years, Raynor left and was replaced the drummer recognised today, Travis Barker.
Blink 182 are one of the most influential bands from the late 80's and the 90's, alongside other American punk acts like Green Day, The Offspring and Rancid that developed and built on the loud and fast melodic sound of bands such as The Ramones, Buzzcocks and The Jam. Essentially, these new bands were evolving into the new sub-genres of pop-punk and hardcore punk, for the children of music fans that were Punks the first time round.
These bands were all remarkably successful, selling out stadiums and arenas, albums reaching as much as double-platinum status and winning many prestigious awards. For example, the 1999 album Enema Of The State reached 5x Platinum in the US and the band received the 'Best Group Video' MTV award in 2000.
Regarding image, 'Blink-182 songs are known for their simple melodies, teen angst and occasional lyrical toilet humor. They are often targeting subjects such as love and growing up' and despite more serious and emotive songs, like Adam's Song, Miss You and Stay Together For The Kids (among others), the band have retained the image of three immature guys from the west coast skate scene.
However, even though the band have reached iconic status, they have still faced, and caused, a lot of controversy. Similarly to Green Day, Blink 182's sense of humour has often caused trouble, as both bands have made touchy comments about politicians and celebrities in lude and crude suggestiveness.
But Blink 182 found themselves in the firing line in a completely different situation, when it was reported in May 2000 that one of the Columbine survivors, Greg Barnes, had put the Enema Of The State hit Adam's Song on repeat when he hanged himself in the family garage. A few weeks later, a magazine called Launch reported that ' The band sympathizes with the loss, but singer/bassist Mark Hoppus told LAUNCH that people need to sit down and listen to the lyrics to get the inherently positive message in the song. "Any intelligent person that listens to that song will know that it's an anti-suicide song, and so if you listen to the lyrics it's pretty self-explanatory that it's about going through a hard time and finding the strength to go on," he said. "It was a very unfortunate thing that that happened and our heart goes out to the kid's family, but the song itself. . . I think the message is pretty clear actually." 'All the same, this wasn't something that was held against the band, and the album went on to sell a further 15 million copies.
Unfortunately, Blink 182's rocketing success soon became too much for their friendship to survive. Tensions rose after the December 2004 European tour, but six months later, Tom split from Mark and Travis in a dispute over the new record and Blink 182 were no more.
The two sides threw themselves into new projects and didn't communicate again until late 2008. But it was after Travis barely survived a horrific plane crash that the band finally reconciled their differences and on 8th February 2009, the band appeared onstage together at the Grammys.
The album Neighbourhoods is set to be released and a world tour has been post-poned for next year.
Blink 182 are very in-touch with their fan base, and much of their marketing is reliant on the relationship between the band and the fans. Originally, Blink 182 took the traditional punk DIY attitude, touring around the US in a van and giving out demos. But as the band and technology has developed, these days, the band constantly communicate directly with their fans via social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, which appear in a direct feed on the band website as well. The website also has a chat system which automatically adds in anyone who goes on the site, allowing fans to chat amongst themselves and further share information about tour dates and releases.
Blink 182 have become a band of the mass market, as they appear on mainstream radio and TV stations, and in many magazines and newspapers. It's also proved in their album sales, as even when the band were on their 'indefinite hiatus', albums still sold and as soon as the new album Neighbourhoods was available for pre-order, millions were sold.
These bands were all remarkably successful, selling out stadiums and arenas, albums reaching as much as double-platinum status and winning many prestigious awards. For example, the 1999 album Enema Of The State reached 5x Platinum in the US and the band received the 'Best Group Video' MTV award in 2000.
Regarding image, 'Blink-182 songs are known for their simple melodies, teen angst and occasional lyrical toilet humor. They are often targeting subjects such as love and growing up' and despite more serious and emotive songs, like Adam's Song, Miss You and Stay Together For The Kids (among others), the band have retained the image of three immature guys from the west coast skate scene.
However, even though the band have reached iconic status, they have still faced, and caused, a lot of controversy. Similarly to Green Day, Blink 182's sense of humour has often caused trouble, as both bands have made touchy comments about politicians and celebrities in lude and crude suggestiveness.
But Blink 182 found themselves in the firing line in a completely different situation, when it was reported in May 2000 that one of the Columbine survivors, Greg Barnes, had put the Enema Of The State hit Adam's Song on repeat when he hanged himself in the family garage. A few weeks later, a magazine called Launch reported that ' The band sympathizes with the loss, but singer/bassist Mark Hoppus told LAUNCH that people need to sit down and listen to the lyrics to get the inherently positive message in the song. "Any intelligent person that listens to that song will know that it's an anti-suicide song, and so if you listen to the lyrics it's pretty self-explanatory that it's about going through a hard time and finding the strength to go on," he said. "It was a very unfortunate thing that that happened and our heart goes out to the kid's family, but the song itself. . . I think the message is pretty clear actually." 'All the same, this wasn't something that was held against the band, and the album went on to sell a further 15 million copies.
The two sides threw themselves into new projects and didn't communicate again until late 2008. But it was after Travis barely survived a horrific plane crash that the band finally reconciled their differences and on 8th February 2009, the band appeared onstage together at the Grammys.
The album Neighbourhoods is set to be released and a world tour has been post-poned for next year.
Blink 182 are very in-touch with their fan base, and much of their marketing is reliant on the relationship between the band and the fans. Originally, Blink 182 took the traditional punk DIY attitude, touring around the US in a van and giving out demos. But as the band and technology has developed, these days, the band constantly communicate directly with their fans via social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, which appear in a direct feed on the band website as well. The website also has a chat system which automatically adds in anyone who goes on the site, allowing fans to chat amongst themselves and further share information about tour dates and releases.
Blink 182 have become a band of the mass market, as they appear on mainstream radio and TV stations, and in many magazines and newspapers. It's also proved in their album sales, as even when the band were on their 'indefinite hiatus', albums still sold and as soon as the new album Neighbourhoods was available for pre-order, millions were sold.
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