Majestic wonder

One of the most momentous and world impacting events of the 21st century occurred last week when Blink 182 reunited and took the stage once again. It included the usual incredibly choreographed and executed dance moves, poetic interludes and quaint heart wrenching double-necked guitar solos. All the hallmarks of punk rock mastery was there- most importantly perhaps telling the nation’s largest wireless carrier to go suck it, or how they’re planning High School Musical 5: The Tour.

Travis Barker is one of the most intense and effortless drummers to ever get behind the kit, Hoppus is a workaholic bassist and becoming a versatile producer, and Tom Delonge’s name rhymes, and when he wants can be one of the most irreverent and sensitive lead singers to ever strap one on. I have night sweats about turning into someone who goes to see John Foggerty or Styx 3-5 decades after their prime, where a concert feels like some previous generations’ past rock anthems were preserved on a slide and endlessly replicated in some tour promoter’s lab experiment, but Blink’s not there yet. Thomas is only 33 and still looks like he wants to push the boundaries, and they still have the youth to record new edgy, violent stuff.

Blink going on hiatus was unexpected, but I can’t help but feel they all got better in the interim. Travis started doing beats and drums with DJAM, and if there were any holes in his rhythmic Chinese wall he certainly plugged them. Mark became more of a musical philosopher, dishing out impressively thorough and researched podcasts and blogs while also becoming a producer. And Tom explored new synth sounds and still better dance moves. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Blink broke up within a month of George W. getting re-elected, when Tom’s brother was fighting in Iraq. It clearly permeated his playing and writing the next several years, and I don’t think them reuniting within a month of Obama taking office is random either. Blink springs eternal. But maybe I’m thinking too small. God himself may have reunited Blink. In the course of just a couple months, their long-time producer sadly died, two of their best friends were tragically and horrifically killed, and Travis literally walked away from a freakish plane crash. It was a reminder that sometimes there are causes and connections bigger and more important than you’ll know. That sometimes doing something because it feels right and good and crazy is enough, and maturity means often being okay with emotions, drama, egos and doubt- the hallmarks of immaturity. That you can still love people while you’re hating them. I guess this is growing up.