Blink 182 - Glasgow SECC - August 17th 2010

Word and Photos by Chelsea Cochrane

For a large percentage of the 10,000 strong crowd at the barn like SECC, this day probably feels like one that would never come. The average age would put many around 11 or 12 when Blink 182 first entered their hiatus, making this the first and only opportunity they would have to see the iconic pop punk band. This brings a large sense of celebration with it, and the atmosphere in the room is electric. By the time the band kick into opener "Dumpweed" the crowd explodes and the party begins.

Rewind a decade and a half and Blink 182 would be struggling to sell out a venue a tenth of this size. After forming in 1992 it took them until the release of "Dude Ranch" in 1997, selling 1.5 million albums with the help of single "Dammit", before breaking the mainstream, followed by extremely successful albums "Enema Of The State" and "Take Off Your Pants And Jacket". Over those years they built up a strong reputation as juvenile pop punksters, who had perfected the art of the catchy song. With this reputation firmly in hand they spent a good few years working hard, touring hard and partying hard.

This all changed in 2003 with the release of "Blink-182", a much more mature and musically crafted album than they had released previously. Influenced in no small part by the 9/11 attacks in America and the growing cultural change shifting through their home country, the new record brought them many new fans, while also alienating those in the old pop punk guard. Shortly after this release tensions grew in the band culminating in their hiatus in 2005. The members each tried side projects - Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker forming +44 which most see as a watered down Blink 182 clone, and Tom DeLonge working on Angels and Airwaves which most see as a grand failure.

Speed up to early 2009 when a tragic plane crash brings the three members back together and Blink 182 back into our lives. This Glasgow show is their second UK show since reforming, their first being in Aberdeen the previous night. Local upstarts Twin Atlantic open the show to massive cheers and awful sound. Their set, although by no means bad, suffers all the way through due to this sound problem and an impatient crowd, desperate for a glimpse of their childhood heroes.

When Blink 182 do finally take to the stage, no one is disappointed. Blasting through favorites "Feeling This", "The Rock Show" and "What’s My Age Again?" in quick succession they prove they have the songs to back up their legacy. Sure, at times they aren’t the tightest band around and on occasion guitarist Tom DeLonge can resemble a cat being strangled, but this is the whole point of the band. They are a massive mainstream success, yet they don’t sound polished and they can’t sing perfectly. It is what the crowd are here to see and given their reaction, it is also what they love. The band add in a few serious numbers in the form of "I Miss You", "Stockholm Syndrome" and "Violence" from their self titled album, but with just enough childish banter to prove it is the same Blink of old. One of the biggest cheers of the night comes from Mark Hoppus quipping "Thanks for letting us cover a Jedward song!" after the band played a near perfect rendition of "All The Small Things".

As the show draws to a close Travis Barker is harnessed into his seat and his kit lifted into the air, before the packed crowd are treated to a drum solo played while being spun in all directions. It is an impressive and entertaining display from undoubtedly one of the most talented drummers around, which sums up Blink 182 themselves. They are all clearly talented, all very entertaining and when playing a 20 song greatest hits set, in which the crowd know every single word, they prove that they are back. And hopefully this time, here to stay.

Word and Photos by Chelsea Cochrane