Blink-182 Taking "Hiatus"

[KingLouieLouie]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497320/20050222/blink_182.jhtml?headlines=true

Blink-182 Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' As Breakup Rumors Swirl
02.22.2005 2:10 PM EST

News comes after pop-punk trio pulls out of tsunami benefit show.

Blink-182 announced Tuesday they are going on an "indefinite hiatus," possibly bringing to a close their decade-plus career of catchy but angsty radio hits, goofball videos, stand-up comedy stage banter and millions of albums sold worldwide.

"For over a decade, Blink-182 has toured, recorded and promoted nonstop all while trying to balance relationships with family and friends. To that end, the band has decided to go on an indefinite hiatus to spend some time enjoying the fruits of their labors with loved ones," a statement from the band's management read. "While there is no set plan for the band to begin working together again, no one knows what tomorrow may bring."

After Blink pulled out of this weekend's Music for Relief: Rebuilding South Asia concert in Anaheim, California (see "Linkin Park, Jay-Z, No Doubt Rock The House To Rebuild South Asia"), and posted only a vague explanation of the cancellation on Blink182.com, fans began to speculate that Blink had split up, posting rumors they'd heard from anonymous backstage sources or "friends of the band."

But it was Dave Navarro — who played the concert with his group Camp Freddy — who really threw gasoline on the fire when he posted the following on his blog, 6767.com: "As I mentioned, Ozzy pulled out due to a family situation, but the big shock came when Blink-182 pulled out. Evidently, they broke up yesterday. ... I know how it can get when it's just not working anymore. ... Anyway, best of luck to those guys."

Though Navarro would later rescind his comments (and change the initial post), the rumors persisted throughout the weekend and led to Tuesday's announcement. There is no word on whether or not the hiatus will affect any of the bandmembers' side projects, which include the bands Boxcar Racer and the Transplants as well as various business endeavors.

— James Montgomery

 

[thirty-two]

bummer... they always seemed like they were just having fun

 

[jerryp]

It was over when Scott Raynor left.

 

[Brandon_Webb]

Another crappy band I won't have to hear about anymore.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Well...they obviously have already hit their creative (if they ever were) and commercial peak.....Perhaps theyre taking a "hiatus" now to evaluate what course of direction they must take, but I seriously doubt theyll ever be able to broaden their sound....

They pretty much copied Green Days forumla in the beginning and if they did attempt to enhance their sound that they would be accused yet again of copying Green Days approach, so that is a stigma theyll never be able to escape.....

 

[justAndy]

...

the only thing that really bothered me about B 182 is that the media referred to them as a punk band. Too la-de-da, happy happy for that.
power pop - yes

 

[Mulli]

Don't you have to being actually doing something to be able to go on hiatus? If you just continue to not do anything, how can that be a hiatus?

 

[KingLouieLouie]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497401/20050223/blink_182.jhtml?headlines=true

Travis Barker Sets The Record Straight On Blink-182 Hiatus
02.23.2005 5:44 PM EST

Drummer confirms band's break; says rumors of infighting are 'just not true.'

In the wake of Tuesday's announcement that Blink-182 were taking an "indefinite hiatus," the sound of fans typing on the Internet was deafening, while Blink themselves stayed silent — even as rumors of band infighting spread.

So perhaps to quiet both the rumors and the bloggers, Blink drummer Travis Barker finally said something, calling up Los Angeles radio station KROQ — unbeknownst to the band's management — and attempting to set the record straight on just what happened.

"I think it's healthy to take a break. We did the same thing four years ago. Blink took a break, and Boxcar [Racer] happened and that's the same way with this," Barker told KROQ's Kevin and Bean. "We're taking a break and letting everyone be creative on their time off, and have fun and come back when it's time and when it's ready and right. I believe there's great things in the future."

Barker played coy when quizzed about the future of Blink, answering most questions by mentioning the new album by his side project, Transplants (see "Transplants Write 22 Songs In 12 Days But Can't Think Of Names For Any Of Them"). He was anything but coy, however, when discussing the rumors that he and fellow Blinkers Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus were on less-than-friendly terms.

"I love those dudes; they're my brothers. I wanted to clear up the rumors of us fighting with each other or hating each other. It's just not true," Barker said. "Right now, everyone's life is calling for something else. We want to enjoy ourselves and regroup and write a record when it's the right time."

He also claimed to have no knowledge of the brief statement the band's management released Tuesday morning, which confirmed that the band was on hiatus (see "Blink-182 Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' As Breakup Rumors Swirl"), but admitted that Blink probably would have taken a long break one way or the other. And though he did regret that the band pulled out of last Friday's Music for Relief: Rebuilding South Asia benefit concert in Anaheim, California (see "Linkin Park, Jay-Z, No Doubt Rock The House To Rebuild South Asia"), there was no way Blink were going to play.

"We pulled out because there was so much going on in the band at the time. It didn't seem like a healthy time to be playing shows. We needed that hiatus to start right away," Barker explained. "We wish things could've been different. But it came when you needed the best energy in the band ... just like you would in a relationship, and it wasn't there."

So in the meantime, Blink fans will just have to wait for more news. Barker will be busy with the Transplants and this summer's Warped Tour, and he said DeLonge will continue to direct more music videos (he lensed the clip for Taking Back Sunday's "This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know)") and Hoppus will concentrate on producing records (like Commit This to Memory, the album he recorded with emo-punks Motion City Soundtrack.) But all three plan on spending the majority of the hiatus with their friends and families.

"We all have children, and I think it's a good time to be home with them. We leave them for five months at a time, so everyone is getting family time," Barker said. "When it's time and we get our fix from our kids and we get enough quality time with our loved ones, then things will be right again and maybe we'll have a rad new Blink record."

— James Montgomery

 

[HeavyB3]

Yeah, they used to be good. They lost me after their Enema Of The State cd.