Blink-182 is an American pop punk band from San Diego, California, formed in 1992.[2] The band formed as "Blink" with vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, vocalist and bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Scott Raynor.[3] In 1998, midway through a U.S. tour, current drummer Travis Barker replaced Scott Raynor. Blink-182 is recognized as a key pioneer of contemporary pop punk music, influencing various acts over their career.[4]
After releasing debut album Cheshire Cat (1994), the band achieved relative success with Dude Ranch (1997), now having sold over a million copies. However, the trio achieved even greater success with the multi-platinum selling Enema of the State (1999). Their following two albums maintained their popularity; Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001) and Blink-182 (2003) before DeLonge left the group in early 2005, initiating an indefinite hiatus. DeLonge went on to form Angels & Airwaves, while Hoppus and Barker continued playing music together in +44. After some tragic events involving the band and its entourage, they reunited in February 2009 and a new album is in the works.[5]
Blink-182 has sold over 25 million albums worldwide.