Hey, everyone: Blink-182 is back! Sort of. If you’ve been reading your music news lately, you would know that Blink is kicking off a massive tour, promoting new material, and releasing singles. (I have to admit that “Up All Night” is cool, though it’s like Angels & Airwaves had a child with +44.). The best part of all this, however, is the aforementioned tour.
During my youth, and I don’t think I’m alone, Blink-182 was the band everyone loved or loved to hate. If you were the former, you had no problem sporting the t-shirts, trying to play pop-punk, and knowing all the words. If you were the latter, well, you talked a lot of shit, but still listened to Dude Ranch when your friends weren’t around. Nowadays, though, it seems that Blink-182 has evolved from everybody’s favorite punk band to something of a musical icon. It’s just a shame this isn’t 2002.
When Blink-182 toured years ago, they played oodles of their material, but in the recent years, they have focused on fresher tracks. Not that it matters, because when they do bust out the classics, the twentysomethings in the crowd go bonkers with nostalgia. But what about the oldies? Have they forgotten (or not realized) 1994′s Cheshire Cat is an amazing achievement? Fans will no doubt attend their shows and go hoarse singing along, but that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t want to hear “M+M’s”.
10. “Anthem”
“Anthem II” is still played in Blink-182’s sets quite regularly, and rightfully so, as it was a sign of them maturing as a band. But “Anthem” is a call to teenage rebellion and fighting for your right to party. This song embodied the spirit of Blink-182 in their prime (waiting for girls to have sex with you, Dad yelling at the band, etc.), and it’s something they can’t shake from their reputation. When Blink broke up, they “left the kids to carry on,” and we’re still here… so, they should play “Anthem” for old time’s sake.
9. “What Went Wrong”
This pseudo B-side signaled a change in the band’s mentality. It’s when everybody realized Blink-182 wanted to get serious. “What Went Wrong” is the secret, acoustic track about an unraveling relationship on the yellow edition of Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, sung by Tom DeLonge and featuring what I believe is a clarinet solo. Live, you can imagine the emotional power that would go into the track from DeLonge, as the band already exerts enough energy when playing fast-paced punk. It’s the kind of song you hold up a lighter for and realize just how sick you are of sappy love songs on the today’s radio.
8. “Touchdown Boy”
In the video above, people are stage diving to the song about a sex-driven jock. Today, the reaction would probably be the same, but it would have a little more meaning. While the subject matter is still something the youth experiences today, the chords are more powerful because they probably haven’t been played live in roughly over a decade. Modern Blink could probably tear the fast-paced gem a new asshole. Bonus points if they do the fake sports commentary and turn it into something new and hilarious.
7. “Enthused”
It’s not enough that the opening to this song is uber-triumphant. That alone would be enough to send the crowd into a circle pit frenzy. But it’s the sing-along at the start that would rule. “Am I strung out/crazy or not allowed/to be the one/who gets stupid over you?” No doubt that the Blink fan base would be screaming while Blink revisits the Dude Ranch days. Plus, I’m sure everybody, including Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, would scream in unison, “Maybe you’re just on CRACK!”
6. “Toast and Bananas”
Not only a timeless breakfast but a Blink-182 fan favorite. “Toast and Bananas” was the song to blast when you were trying to forget your recent AIM breakup, but now it would be a live experience worth seeing. There’s a guitar solo that DeLonge could surely beef up these days. Plus, the tempo is so quick, the circle pit would not just get stirred but come to a high boil.
5. “Time”
“Time” is so obscure that there aren’t even any YouTube videos. It’s the only remotely ska number the band ever had, with a happy-go-lucky intro (note the upstrokes). Although it’s a long-lost track from their demo (1993′s Buddha), the happy ska tune would certainly bring out the skanking audience. The other thing is that it’s the only Buddha song (other than “Carousel”) that would still hold up for today’s audience. Yeah, it might not be their most cherished jam, but it sure would be nice to know that Blink-182 gets as nostalgic about their own music as their fans do.
4. “Mutt”
Although “Mutt” was never released as a single, most longtime Blink fans probably consider it one. Due to its use in American Pie, “Mutt” has remained in the front of the Blink-182 catalog since ’99. For nostalgic purposes, it would be great to hear “Mutt” these days, especially because everybody knows the words. And the united crowd singing about bike seats and shaving would be a riot. If only everybody still cherished Jason Biggs this much.
3. “Story of a Lonely Guy”
Here’s another song that marked a shift in the band’s direction. Tom DeLonge began to use stylistic effects on his guitar, and the lyrics weren’t about erections and lackluster relationships. People probably don’t realize that when they blindly chant alongside “I Miss You”, but this song could easily be slipped into their setlists without people necessarily batting an eye at its significance. You better believe, though, that everyone will still know the words and will hold a light or spark something else to this song.
2. “Dick Lips”
“Dick Lips” was Blink-182’s call to stand up for yourself against unimaginable foes: your parents. The song still stands out as one of their most triumphant, and that kind of energy would certainly be appreciated nowadays. If you have ever heard the version off 2000′s The Mark, Tom and Travis Show, you know that Hoppus and DeLonge harmonize on the lead-up to the chorus, which certainly adds to the dramatic tension of the song. Now, picture it live: people anticipating every line and then Travis Barker rolling into that chorus on the drums. That’s a mosh pit you want to be in–and a sing-along you should partake in.
1. “M+M’s”
Aside from staple fan favorite “Carousel”, “M+M’s” seems to be the other Cheshire Cat track that sticks out in most fans’ heads. Its simple lyrics, stupid word play (Hoppus rhymes “car” with “Madagascar”), and insanely catchy guitar intro are the epitome of what Blink-182 has always been about. Nowadays, their ability to play has become more fine-tuned, and there is no doubt they could do this song a whole new justice. Also, the lyrics are so basic that almost everyone in the crowd would be screaming along with the band (while pogoing, of course). Bottom line: If Blink-182 played this song today, it would bring the house down and show that they still know how to truly connect with their audience.
Honorable Mentions: “Degenerate” (Blink’s semi-rap song), “Wendy Clear” (“And I play with a nuclear device…”), and “Lemmings” (“the best non-penis Blink song”).
