It’s time to shake things up. There is a lot of big news and stories we want to touch on. Today’s newsletter will be news, music, and music news. Writing, writing practice, and covers will be back this week and will be featured as the covers present themselves. Think of it as a “Shuffle” of the newsletter and let’s see what song pops up!

We reported rumors of the Blink 182 reunion with Mark, Tom, and Travis yesterday, and the rumors weren’t out there for long. Blink 182 who formed in the early 90s was known for “d*#k jokes” and according to Tom DeLong, “nursery rhymes sung over fast punk.” The early Blink team wore humor on their sleeves, but the humor was nothing compared to the incredible musical talent they produce.

Songwriting as deep as the bands that influenced them like The Cure, to riffs and melodies played at the speed of The Descendents and Bad Religion, Blink took all those influences and turned them into the Blink 182 sound. Almost 30 years later and they are the influencers.

A quick review of the catalog of sound from Mark, Tom, and Travis is overwhelming. The number of bands they have played with or for, or created as other projects include everything from Travis Barker in the Aquabats and Transplants, Tom DeLong branched out early and did a side project called Boxcar Racer and then started Angels and Airwaves. Mark Hoppus hasn’t stopped creating Blink 182 music since he started the band with Tom DeLong in the early 90s. When Mark needs another outlet for his music he plays with Simple Creatures and also had a side project in +44. I wonder how many published songs the three of them have created and/or played on.

Below is a link to the announcement that went out on Mark’s Discord Channel. The video shows that no matter how old we get, some things stay the same. Punk rockers get old, but those that don’t lose who they are will continue to inspire. This is Blink…

The Blink 182 website was taken down briefly earlier in the month and relaunched today with all the new information on it. An upcoming world tour, a new song announced that is scheduled to drop on Friday, and new merch. Mark’s Apple Music Hits Radio Show After School Radio comes out weekly on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM PST. It will be interesting to see if Mark talks about the news on the radio show tonight. The link to the show is below.

It's alright to tell me
What you think about me
I won't try to argue
Or hold it against you

I know that you're leaving
You must have your reasons
The season is calling
Your pictures are falling down

The steps that I retrace
The sad look on your face
The timing and structure
Did you hear he fucked her?

A day late, a buck short
I'm writing the report
On losing and failing
When I move, I'm flailing now

And it's happened once again
I'll turn to a friend
Someone that understands
And sees through the master plan
But everybody's gone
And I've been here for too long
To face this on my own
Well, I guess this is growing up
Well, I guess this is growing up

And maybe I'll see you
At a movie sneak preview
You'll show up and walk by
On the arm of that guy

And I'll smile and you'll wave
We'll pretend it's okay
This charade, it won't last
When he's gone, I won't come back

And it'll happen once again
You'll turn to a friend
Someone that understands
And sees through the master plan
But everybody's gone
And you've been here for too long
To face this on your own
Well, I guess this is growing up

Well, I guess this is growing up
Well, I guess this is growing up
Well, I guess this is growing up
Well, I guess this is growing up
Well, I guess this is growing up

Songwriters: Mark Hoppus / Scott Raynor / Tom De Longe

The breakout hit and where the band went from San Diego punk rock band to Blink 182.

Practice today was on reporting and research and news broke.

Turn it up and get your fun back on!

Tough one…

Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen on Spotify.

Be Good,

Johnny