Australian fans are already rejoicing that punk pop icons Blink 182 are heading to our shores for the first time in over a decade as part of the gargantuan Soundwave 2013 lineup, and fresh from announcing their sideshows in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, Blink 182 have begun working on a follow-up to their 2011 reunion album Neighbourhoods.
But it won’t be released through the groups label Interscope, who have been dropped by the band who have instead decided to work on the new record as an independent artist.
The pop punk legends have been part of the Interscope group of record companies, previously under the Geffen banner, and before that with MCA Records since 1997 for their sophomore album Dude Ranch.
The news was broken by frontman Tom Delonge on Twitter overnight who posted in exhaltation “freedom!” and posted a link to a photo of Mel Gibson in Braveheart, who played a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England.
Freedom!! Blink as of today, is now an independent Artist!!!!! instagr.am/p/RIqJh9ru6A/ fb.me/1TpxE1U07
— Tom DeLonge (@tomdelonge) October 23, 2012
Shedding the constraints of a major label is a big step for the group who went on indefinite hiatus in 2005 following a fall out between the members. Now Australian fans look set to not only enjoy a very honest Blink 182 record sometime in the future, but could also be amongst the first crowds to hear any new material.
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Barker, Hoppus, and fellow guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge will be jetting their way to Australia in February next year, marking the first dates from the trio since their last visit in 2004. Fans have been clamouring for a return from the band ever since, but drummer Travis Barker’s fear of flying, instilled by the tragic plane crash that claimed DJ AM’s life, had nearly put end to any hopes of the group taking the long trip down under.
Speaking to NME about the new record, Hoppus says: “Early next week I go back to Los Angeles to record an iTunes session for Blink-182, and we’re starting to write the new record right now.”
Being at the writing stage, plotting out their subsequent plans, Hoppus added that the work on the new material – and more touring – would come after their Australian visit next February, “[the] proper tour and the new album probably won’t happen for about a year.”
The Blink bassist also said that he and the band were spurned into new writing sessions following what he felt was a climate lacking in “great new music.” “The best is yet to come, the next album is going to be exciting.”
”I’ve kind of been in a dead-zone lately,” says Hoppus of his listening habits. “I feel like this summer was kind of devoid of a lot of great new music. The new Matt & Kim album (Lightning, which Tone Deaf reviewed here)… I’m excited about that… the Mumford and Sons album I like (him and 59,999 others) … but, yeah, other than that it’s been kind of a dry summer.”
Drummer Travis Barker also recently said of the band’s new record, “I feel like the best is yet to come, the next album is going to be exciting.”
Blink 182 Sidewaves 2013
WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY
SYDNEY, ALLPHONES ARENA – Licensed All Ages
www.ticketek.com.au
FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY
BRISBANE, THE MARQUEE RNA SHOWGROUNDS – Licensed All Ages
www.oztix.com.au and Oztix outlets
TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY
MELBOURNE, SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL – Licensed All Ages
www.ticketmaster.com.au
SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL 2013 // FULL LINEUP
METALLICA
LINKIN PARK
BLINK 182
A PERFECT CIRCLE / THE OFFSPRING / PARAMORE / SLAYER / GARBAGE / CYPRESS HILL / BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE / TOMAHAWK / STONE SOUR / BRING ME THE HORIZON / KYUSS LIVES / ANTHRAX / SUM 41 / DRAGONFORCE / ALL TIME LOW / FLOGGING MOLLY / GHOST / DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED / KILLSWITCH ENGAGE/ THE VANDALS/ BILLY TALENT / MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK / MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE / THE AMITY AFFLICTION / SICK OF IT ALL / KINGDOM OF SORROW / FOZZY / THE LAWRENCE ARMS / SLEEPING WITH SIRENS / CANCER BATS / THE BLACKOUT / GALLOWS / MADBALL / FUCKED UP / VISION OF DISORDER / PIERCE THE VEIL / PERIPHERY / SHAI HALUD / OF MICE & MEN / ORANGE GOBLIN/ THE SWORD/ CHELSEA GRIN/ THE CHARIOT/ SHARKS / DR ACULA/ O’BROTHER/ NORTHLANE/ MILESTONESTHIS IS HELL / MISS MAY I / DANKO JONES / LUCERO / WOE, IS ME / THE WONDER YEARS / POLAR BEAR CLUB / WHILE SHE SLEEPS / CEREBRAL BALLZY / THE EARLY NOVEMBER / SUCH GOLD / SIX FEET UNDER / THE DEAR HUNTER / DEAF HAVANA / RED FANG / VERSUS THE WORLD / BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR / CONFESSION / CHUNK! NO, CAPTAIN CHUNK! / SYLOSIS / MEMPHIS MAY FIRE / CROSSFAITH
SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013
SATURDAY 23- BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!
SUNDAY 24 – SYDNEY, OLYMPIC PARK – SOLD OUT!
FRIDAY 1 – MELBOURNE, FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE – SOLD OUT!
SATURDAY 2 – ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK – SOLD OUT!
MONDAY 4 – PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!
