Mark Hoppus Speak!

Lots going on in the world of blink-182 lately. There’ve been announcements, side projects, tours, tv shows, etc. I think some people are confused as to what’s really happening, and I wanted to take a second to set it all straight and put rumors and hearsay to rest.

So here it is: blink-182 is full steam ahead!!

In June and July we will be at the rehearsal spot, getting ready for the European tour this summer, and writing new songs. When the European tour is finished, we head back and play ONE SHOW in Southern California. Then that is IT for live shows for the rest of 2010. Why? Because we’ll be in the studio recording the new blink-182 album. Until it is finished. I cannot be more clear on this: new blink-182 music is on the way. There was some confusion this week about a new track being premiered on KROQ here in LA. On a segment where the station was announcing our performance in their concert, they hinted to “be prepared for the premiere of a new song,” but they were referring to another band. Not blink-182. For us, the big announcement was the fact that we are playing that show and then recording our new album. I understand how people would be confused (and angry). Believe me, when we have new blink-182 music for you all, we will make it LOUD AND CLEAR. We’ll be screaming about it. You won’t be able to get away from us talking about it. And that moment is on the way. All of us have ideas from before and after the tour last summer, and are excited to get into the studio and see those ideas come to light. Simple as that.

Also, today at Radio City Music Hall was the press conference to announce the tv show I’m hosting for fuse. We’ve been putting it together quietly behind the scenes for the past couple of months, and are getting into full swing with it now. “A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus” will premiere in September, and is a weekly, hour-long, music based talk show. It’s going to be smart, funny, irreverent, and professional enough to be a great show, while being wheels-off enough to always be on the edge of completely falling apart. There’s really nothing like it out there right now, and I get to do whatever I want with bands that I love. From huge international stars to up-and-coming artists. It’s the next step from the himynameismark podcast and the column I write for spin magazine. I get a microphone, a set, a co-host, a tv crew, and the mandate to set out and bring you all kinds of musical awesomes. There will be in-studio interviews, live performances, backstage footage, etc. The amazing thing about this show is that there truly are no rules. If there are artists we like and ideas we think are cool, we’re going to put them on tv. And another great thing: this show is not going to interrupt or disrupt my commitment and dedication to the blink-182 recording in any way. Everyone in both the blink-182 and fuse families have been super cool and accommodating. The new blink-182 album and this tv show are my passions and priorities above all else this year. I’m definitely going to be exhausted and overworked, but between the two projects, I haven’t been this excited and motivated in a long time.

The future is very exciting and very near!! Thanks to all of you who have and continue to support blink-182 and everything we do. You are the best, and we’re doing all we can to make it well worth the wait. May the force be with you…