Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir

There are two people Hoppus considers instrumental in helping the band get a record label. O was a photographer for a local underground magazine who regularly advocated for the band to the local label, Cargo Records. Another local fan, Brahm, was the son of the label’s owner. Through persistence, Cargo eventually agreed to sign the band. They went to Los Angeles to record their album, which they called Cheshire Cat. The album took longer to record than expected, and the band had a lot to learn about the music industry. Putting out an entirely original album was a major step, and while Hoppus considers the album somewhat sloppy, it was also a turning point.

An Irish techno band named blink threatened to sue if Hoppus’s band didn’t change their name. After weeks of deliberation, they still had no ideas. The owner of the record label called demanding an answer, and Hoppus threw out “blink-182.” The new name became official, and while many explanations have been given over the years as to the number’s significance, Hoppus thinks that “it’s a blank canvas and everyone paints their own interpretation of 182” (93).

Hoppus left college and put all his focus into the band, and Delonge found a manager named Rick, who was a local promoter. Blink-182 was soon appearing in surfing videos and touring with the punk band Pennywise. They first toured the East Coast, and immediately took advantage of the chaotic, freeing lifestyle. Delonge was arrested for drinking underage after the first show, and Hoppus includes a photo of the incident. Several of the shows were fraught with security issues and often followed by hijinks. Hoppus loved touring, even though it meant eating little and sleeping in a van.

The band was invited on another tour with Pennywise, this time to Australia and Alaska. Pennywise’s lead, Fletcher Dragge, became irritated with Delonge’s behavior and gathered his friends to ransack blink-182’s hotel room. They sprayed them with vinegar and hot sauce and trashed their belongings, blaming it on Hoppus and his bandmates. Hoppus and the others learned a valuable lesson about staying on the good side of punk rockers.

Touring in a van was not easy, but Hoppus and his bandmates were set on their success. Touring was non-stop chaos and action, with little time to rest. They would usually make $50 a show, which was just enough for a small meal and the gas to reach the next destination. They usually slept in the van and took turns driving. Often, they would arrive at the next place early and have to wait around. Showering was a privilege. Despite this, playing the shows was worth it, and the band gradually gained recognition across the country.

In 1996, blink-182 joined the Warped Tour among pop-punk bands like Goldfinger and Limp Bizkit. Hoppus recalls how trying the tour was—waking up early every day, having nowhere to sleep or shower, and following busy schedules. It was always noisy and hot, but it was also always rewarding. Hoppus remembers being surprised at how many people on the East Coast knew the band. Hoppus loved watching the other bands play. When one of these bands, Rocket from the Crypt, signed a major record deal, it raised the question of “selling out” and whether a punk band should ever enter the mainstream music industry.

Blink-182 wanted to sign with Epitaph Records, the local label run by Bad Religion, but their label, Cargo, was bought out by the larger label MCA, and all of their bands were absorbed. Epitaph could no longer afford to acquire blink-182, but they saw being with a major label as a chance to make it big. While it caused controversy and friends, Hoppus and his bandmates believed they had a real chance at success.

When blink-182 performed with Jimmy Eat World, they were so impressed by the sound that they ended up working with their producer, Mark Trombino. Hoppus helped the band record their first officially produced album, which featured the singles “Dammit” and “Josie.” Trombino added organ to “Dammit” and opened new musical avenues for the band. These songs proved formative in propelling the band to higher popularity. The album was called Dude Ranch.

Dude Ranch became a gold record (500,000 sales) in its first year, and blink-192 went on several tours. They also filmed music videos for their singles, and Hoppus and Delonge enjoyed goofing around in front of the camera. Drummer Scott Raynor, meanwhile, slipped into a dark emotional state. He drank often, acted angry or irritated, and found it difficult to balance his personal and work life. At one point, Raynor kicked his drum set and hit Delonge in the head with a cymbal. When Raynor left to see his girlfriend right before a show, blink-182 looked to Travis Barker, the drummer for Madness and the Aquabats. Barker agreed to play with them and brought a new level of energy to drumming. When Hoppus told Raynor he could either quit drinking or quit the band, Raynor chose to leave the band, and Barker agreed to join. Hoppus regrets the way things ended with Raynor but ultimately feels that Barker was a better fit for the band.

Hoppus recalls another incident in which Delonge was injured. During filming for the “Josie” music video, the band was submerged underwater. Tom came up for air and hit his head on a nail, causing a permanent scar.

Hoppus considers his greatest contribution to pop culture to be his line in the movie American Pie, in which he says, “Go trig boy, it’s your birthday,” while watching one of the main characters have sex on the internet. The band was asked to film the scene after contributing a song to the movie’s soundtrack. Hoppus’s line became a quotable moment, and he’s honored by that.

The band acquired a producer named Jerry who was just as happy to goof around as Hoppus and Delonge were. Jerry helped propel the band to new heights. Enema of the State was the first album that blink-182 wrote with Barker. Hoppus considers it their best album. He tells the story of the album through the lens of its three main singles. The first, “What’s My Age Again?” was filmed in nude-colored Speedos on the streets of Los Angeles. Hoppus includes the proposal from the director, which says that “teenagers cheer and old men jeer” (149). For part of filming, the band was nude, and Hoppus did a cartwheel. The video was highly successful, and the song was played on a top radio station and on MTV.

Hoppus was less certain about the video for “All the Small Things,” which was a parody of other music videos, but it turned out to be even more successful. Suddenly, the band was being followed by massive crowds. “Adam’s Song,” which Hoppus wrote while lonely after finishing tour, was much more personal. Hoppus felt devastated coming home to an empty house. The song helped him through his darkest moments, and he knows it has helped many others. Hoppus still finds it difficult to perform the song, and he wishes he could let go and write like he did then.

During a dance rehearsal for “All the Small Things,” Hoppus ran into Skye, a woman who worked as the band’s talent executive. Skye was well known in the music industry and wanted to keep her reputation professional, so she refused to date Hoppus at first, but he gave her his number anyway. She soon called him, and they talked all night. They started dating in private. On one date, they told a man sitting near them about an imagined life where they were married and had a son. As their relationship became public, Hoppus remembers meeting Jay-Z, who Skye already knew. Today, the fantasy life they imagined has come true, as Hoppus and Skye are married and have one son, Jack.

Blink-182 was given the chance to appear on a major MTV live show, Total Request Live, with Carson Daly as the host. Hoppus remembers being in the same studio as people like Mandy Moore and Ricky Martin. The event was over quickly, as they were only on air for two minutes, and Hoppus was in shock the whole time. He barely heard Carson’s questions but managed to answer them. Blink-182 continued to appear on various MTV spots, which benefited both the network and the band.

“All the Small Things” was nominated at the MTV Music Video Awards, and attending the event felt like a dream. Hoppus met people like Sean Combs and Christina Aguilera, and when blink-182 won, he couldn’t believe it. The band got to perform in front of many other musicians and fans.

The band wasn’t used to being asked how they wanted their sets designed for shows, but they took full advantage and created unique designs. They hired tour managers, security, and other staff. Hoppus enjoyed being part of something people loved, but he never let fame inflate his ego, and he never grew used to having his privacy or peace invaded. Blink-182 faced criticism from bands they were once close to as they got more famous, but they also had the chance to let other bands like Pennywise open for them. Hoppus was cautious about the money he made, while Delonge bought a mansion, cars, and a pool. It seemed like nothing could stop blink-182.

Blink-182 was invited to perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Hoppus invited his dad, hoping to finally convince him that he had made it. Hoppus and his father were sitting in the dressing room with the other bandmates when Richard Simmons burst in, full of energy and warmth. He expressed his love of the band and hugged everyone, even giving Hoppus’s dad a kiss. Hoppus saw that his dad was impressed that Richard Simmons knew the band, and his dad never doubted his choices after that. Hoppus credits Richard Simmons with helping his father accept his choice of career and includes a picture of his father and Richard together.