I know this is a random post, but hell, this is a random blog and I think that's why you keep coming back (unless I'm talking to myself). So I was listening to Blink 182 today through my Itunes random play when I thought about the offshoot bands. I know that Angels and Airwaves is and offshoot band. I recently heard about +44 and then I know for a fact that Boxcar Racers is also a band from the origins of Blink. Still though it unnerved me that I didn't know how they all fit in. So guess what I did? I found out.


Tom, Travis and Mark

The story goes something like this (adaptions made for comedic license):

Mark Hoppus (vocals and bass), Tom DeLonge (vocals and guitar) formed Blink 182 in '92 without drummer Travis. He replaced drummer Scott Raynor in '98. Blink then went on to have a string of geeky punk pop song hits. But things got tedious (as things get when one is stinking rich and a teenage punk star at the age 30) so a side project was created.

Boxcar Racer was born in (my personal favourite) but died in infancy. The had some great tunes such as "I feel so", "Letters to god" and "Sorrow". Emotions were high and the end was sniffed I reckon, that's why they finally made some meaningful music. Boxcar featured Tom DeLonge and soon featured Travis too, seems as though Mark didn't crack the nod for the line up but did feature occasionally. They ended the project in 2003. Sad day.

That then meant that more bands and money could flow the way of the three mega rich super punked up guitar drumming freaks. Aren't we glad? I am.

Tom DeLonge left blink-182 in 2005 and formed his own group Angels & Airwaves. Somewhat similar to Boxcar, but very opened ended and free spirited music. Lost the Punk vibe and went more mainstream emo rock.

Then finally Travis and Mark silenced by a vow (very difficult to create music under a vow of silence I might add) have finally spoken out about their new project, +44. This band seems to have a very Blink touch to it with the sounds of the last Blink album predominant (in my mind and ear at least).

And that is the Blink story in a nutshell. Random piece of information for you to fill your head for no apparent reason!

Labels: +44, Angels and Airwaves, Blink 182, Boxcar Racer