Arts Beat: Blink-182 Puts Punk Rock Back on the Map

Posted by Amanda Frederick

After nearly five years away from the music scene Blink 182, the quintessential new millennium punk-rock band, is back on tour headlining across the country.

The reunion tour rumors have been buzzing since late last year but were not confirmed until February.

The bands official website put the gossip to rest as they blogged, “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.”

The band made their first official debut back in Hollywood at the 2008 Grammy’s where they reaffirmed their plans to reunite.

One of the most exciting factors of the tour is seeing Travis Barker, the bands eccentric drummer, back in action after his almost fatal plane crash last September.

His performance throughout the night is one of the most anticipated elements of the event.

Rolling Stone writer Gavin Edwards wrote, “Barker’s drum riser will also have a rigging system that allows it to levitate during his solo.”

The set list has been another highly discussed aspect to the show.

The bands most popular songs come from their past albums, Enema of the State, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket and their self titled album, Blink-182.

But talk of the band possibly recording a new album has been on the horizon.

While nothing has been confirmed, critics are wondering if the concert is simply a reunion tour or a promotional gig for an upcoming album.

As for the bands chemistry on stage, many are excited to see how the guys interact after their sour breakup in 2004.

The three band members were said to have gone separate ways due to personal and business related issues, leaving the three publicly bashing one another while the media and fans watched in awe.

“I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds,” said Jeremy Chang, an avid Blink-182 fan. Chang continued by saying, “I saw them back in ’99 and I hope that this time around they can get along like old times and just play the music we want to hear.”

Chang is not the only one hoping for an amiable show.

Ryan Muzzarelli, a representative for Powerline Management says the corporate expectations sound very similar to the fans.

“These guys are a legend and I think we all just want things to be the way they were. They are grown men and hopefully they all truly dealt with their demons and are in it for the long haul.”

Negative thoughts are still looming the air throughout the industry.

“People cant help but wonder if this is all for the money,” Muzzarelli continued. “A small part of me thinks this is all for show. Maybe their new record is on the way and they will just break up again after it is released. It would be really sad for their fans if that turns out to be true, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t.”

Regardless of the bands ulterior motive for this upcoming tour, the hype is alive and tickets are selling fast.

Attendees are sure to be in for a treat as the boys relive their punk-rock past and jam to their hits from the 90′s.

For tour dates and more information regarding Blink-182, visit their website at www.blink182.com or www.ticketmaster.com.