top of page
Archiving all the small things since 2015
1990s
Discover the band's beginnings from the decade punk broke.
Aug. 1992
Forming the Band
In San Diego, Scott and Tom meet at a Battle of the Bands. Mark later joins the two and start writing fast, peppy punk rock songs.
Dec. 1993
Demos
At a record store, Mark's manager Pat Secor offers to fund the band's first for-sale demo Buddha.
1994
SOMA
Blink's main goal is to headline SOMA, the local all-ages venue. Over time, the trio develop a following large enough to sell out the club.
Feb. 1995
Cheshire Cat
The band sign their first record contract with local indie Cargo and release their debut LP, Cheshire Cat, in 1995.
Aug. 1995
-182
The band are threatened with legal action from an Irish techno group also called Blink. Unwilling to battle, they append -182 to their name.
Nov. 1995
First National Tour
The band secure a manger, Rick DeVoe, and partner with booking agency Tahoe to begin playing outside SoCal. This year, they embark on their first domestic outing, the GoodTimes tour.
Mar. 1996
Bidding War
Blink-182 attract industry attention in the wake of punk rock's breakthrough in the mainstream. Unhappy with indie distribution, they weight their options.
Jun. 1996
Warped
The band secure their first slot on the nationwide Warped Tour, an influential punk/emo festival. The band continue to play Warped again in 1997, 1998, and 1999..
Nov. 1996
Going Major
The trio sign with Universal Music Group, attracting accusations of selling out from punk purists. Scott, meanwhile, begins to feel less invested in the band.
Aug. 1992
Dude Ranch
The band issue their major-label debut, Dude Ranch. Its big single, "Dammit", becomes their first hit single.
Feb. 1998
Tour Life
The exhaustive toruing cycle takes its toll. By their '98 stint on the SnoCore tour, Mark and Tom develop tensions with Scott, who is struggling with alcoholism.
Apr. 1998
Travis Barker Joins
Scott exits a mini-tour early, leaving the band to find a replacement percussionist: Travis Barker, of ska-punk tour-mate the Aquabats. By June, he joins full-time.
Aug. 1998
Meeting Jerry Finn
The band choose to work with producer Jerry Finn on a new song, "Mutt". Finn is instrumental in the band's sound, serving as friend, advisor, and confidant.
Apr. 1999
Nude Sensation
The trio streak through the streets of Los Angeles for their "What's My Age Again?" video. Nudity becomes a prominent part of their image and marketing.
Jun. 1999
Enema of the State
The band becomes one of America's top rock bands with the arrival of Enema of the State, their biggest, most influential album.
Nov. 1999
Loserkids
The band upgrades from vans to buses and embarks on their first arena tour, the Loserkids Tour. Meanwhile, they launch a clothing brand of the same name.
bottom of page