Will Blink-182 save the world?

[originally published in the February 19 edition of The Hope International Tribune.]

Catastrophe can often serve as a catalyst for reviving friendships. Some could argue fate intervened, while coincidence is argued by others. No matter the source, Blink-182 is back to reignite fans, musicians and the failing music industry.

“Please understand, this isn’t just goodbye; this is I can’t stand you.”—+44, “No, It Isn’t”

The last chapter ended abruptly in 2005 with a phone call from the manager. Tom DeLonge quit the band without a word to his bandmates, a move Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker did not expect, but were not surprised by. Tensions had grown between the trio regarding tour schedules and recording plans, largely from Tom’s lonely corner. The “indefinite hiatus,” as the label called it, would produce a plethora of projects, including the Mark/Travis band +44, DeLonge’s Angels and Airwaves, numerous production credits, clothing lines and even reality shows.

“I never thought I’d die alone, another six months and I’ll be unknown.”—Blink-182, “Adam’s Song”

Tragedy brought one member back onto televisions after three Blinkless years. Sept. 19 saw Travis survive a plane crash the killed four and injured one more. Barker escaped with his life, but suffered from second and third degree burns. Hoppus flew to his drummers’ side, while Tom expressed sorrow to his old friend through interviews.

“Will you come home and stop this pain tonight.” –Blink-182, “I Miss You”

HiMyNameIsMark.com saw its first update in months on Nov. 18. The long entry updated fans on +44’s status, Travis’ health, general life thoughts and a curious statement: “in the midst of everything else that has happened lately, Tom, Travis, and I have all spoken together. First through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for a few hours. They’ve all been great, very positive conversations. We’re just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking.”

“I wanna have the same last dream again.” –AVA, “The Adventure”

That same blog post contained the following: “If — and this is a big if — Blink-182 were ever to re-form, it would have to be the most amazing, ridiculous, mind-blowing show and tour ever. I feel like, as bitter as our breakup was, we stepped back at the top of our game, and we'd have to come back even stronger and better than before."

As anyone would predict, chaos arose. Neon-rock band Forever The Sickest Kids claimed they were part of the band’s reunion tour, which proved false. Hoppus told MTV on Jan. 14 that +44 was canceled in lieu of his solo project, just five days after saying “the future is wide open” while answering questions on a possible reunion.

February 5 brought the first credible claim. Early in the day it was announced that the Blink men would reunite to present an award at the Grammy’s. Then AVA guitarist David Kennedy said what we wanted to hear through a Modlife chat: Blink-182 is working on a new album. Sans an official announcement, we waited.

“Let’s try this one more time with feeling.” – Blink-182, “Don’t Leave Me”

The Grammy’s brought the answer. Appearing onstage together again, the three looked older and strangely awkward standing next to each other. Travis, arm in sling from the crash, approached the microphone and said, “We used to play music together, and we decided we’re going to play music together again.”

They’re back. The new website says “Summer 2009. Thanks and get ready…” Hold on to your seats, kiddies.

*New Content*
While Blink will easily sell out every single date of their new tour, they will not fix everything.

I went back to my music library and listened to a ton of their old material. That's when it hit me: I don't care for Blink-182 anymore. Granted, I was never their biggest fan to begin with, but minus the last CD, I just don't enjoy the immature, simplistic music and lyrics that compromise the band's entire catalog.

Certain songs will always stick with me. "Adam's Song" will always get plays, and "Feelin' This" may be my favorite Blink song. Other non-singles get heard every here and there, but for the most part, I'll leave their music to my friends.

Saving the music industry won't have anything to do with the bands. The old format of selling records simple is obsolete and no longer works. Don't look for Tom Delonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus to solve that problem. However, there is one task I am assigning to the guys: get radio rock back.

My hope is that the return bring rock back to Top 40. I may criticize Blink's lyrics, but nothing is as bad as "blame it on the alc-al-al-al, the alchol." If the band gets back on the radio, other rock acts will start getting plays, hopefully taking back regular radio from R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop/Rap.

I may not be at a tour date, but I'm routing for them.

Prophesizing: System of a Down Returns

Blink-182, No Doubt, Creed, Faith No More...all of these bands have one thing in common. They all reunited after breaking up (or going on Hiatus...what a silly thing to do). They say things like "We miss our fans" or "Were doing it because we love music", and, while that may be true, they fail to state the real reason. Money. After seeing this sharp trend of bands reunite, I can guarantee one thing to you all, and that is this. System of a Down will return, and soon.

Think about it. Blink-182 broke up and everyone went on to do their own things (Boxcar Racer, Angels and Airways, +44 and so on) and were all successful within their own, but nothing could match what they had accomplished together in Blink. I'm certain no one in Blink-182 needs the money, but regardless if someone approached you and said "Want to have 3x more money and be super famous again?"...The obvious response is "Yes, yes I would like that very much". Even though Mark and Tom hate each other (you know they still do), they are all gonna get back together, put out an album, sell millions of copies and sell out arenas for shows. Sounds like a solid plan to me.

Same goes for No Doubt. Gwen goes off and does her own thing (Remember that Hollerback Girl song....Ahh I get shivers thinking of it...thank god shes getting back with ND) and is super successful. But when she gets back with No Doubt she will do much better, as will the rest of the band. These bands are realizing they can go back what made them rich and famous in the first place, and get rich and famous a second time around.

Now think of this. When System of a Down broke up (excuse me...went on Hiatus), everyone did their own thing...but no one was really successful. Serj did a solo album which, in my opinion was not all that bad (Empty Walls is an awesome song), but it didn't sell all that well. Daaron and John did Scars on Broadway which was a total failure, and Shavo went off punching members of Mastodon in the face. I have a solution for SOAD to fix their, now boring careers; GET THE FUCK BACK TOGETHER. We are all aware that they intend to make music together again someday, no one is saying they are gone forever, but now is the perfect oppertunity for them to start it upn again. It is a win-win-win situation. The record label makes bank, SOAD gets rich and famous again and we, the fans, finally get new music and tours from our favorite guilty pleasure. I'm sure the members of SOAD see this trend of reuniting bands, and will hope on the bandwagon.

That is why, I will bet that very soon, we will hear an announcement regarding the return of System of a Down, and oh, what a glorious day it will be.