We can live like Jack and Sally

Since I have been home sick for several days now with a horrid cold, with absolutely nothing to do and no energy to do anything anyways, I have been watching a lot more TV than I usually do. Being sick means I can't read as much either, so it's been doubly stultifying. So I've been catching up on my usual shows, plus filling the hours with random things such as "Law & Order: UK" (Confession: I'll watch just about anything on BBCA. Originally caught it cause I find the Bamber very pretty thanks to BSG, even though I didn't really love Apollo; but it's a nice mindless background for reading which is important to me, the accents are soothing, and also I'm kinda digging Ben Daniels).

And then I watched a few eps of "A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus" which I started watching out of a bit of morbid curiosity - a music show hosted by the guy from Blink? Could be a trainwreck, right? Despite blogging about music, I don't really like shows where people talk about music too much - I can find my own stuff (thank you, Internet) and I have my own taste. But I concede that it can be fun to hear interviews with artists, and watch them perform. Also, Mark Hoppus turns out to be a great host because he can work a "I'm perpetually a 17 y.o. skater punk" thing, borderline annoying, cheery faux enthusiasm, cute crooked mouth, etc. Rather charming.

So this of course is all just a lot of introduction for the fact that as a person of a certain age who grew up in Southern California - Blink 182 will always have a special place in my heart. Their stuff was starting when I was like 14 or 15, and getting big when I was like 16. They're from San Diego (my hometown) and SD had a lot of Blink-182 music buzz and t-shirts going around during those years... even I had one! I remember wearing it and getting a thumbs up from a guy in a parking lot at the grocery store. One of my earliest music-related thrills. (I think I gave it away though, that's kind of sad. I should have saved it for the epic band t-shirt quilt I am planning to make some day when I am old.)

And I had just recently discussed them with my friend Michael the other day when I was visiting because she had seen Tom DeLonge somewhere? Something like that (sorry, Michael, I'm sick and can't remember the story, did he come in to your work?). But yeah, it's a time/place thing - as I am not actually a huge fan, I just happen to be more familiar with them and their work because of when/where they started. This fits in with my "get 'em while they're young" theory of life, as these things just stick with you. I do still like them, and their hits are still in my large shuffle playlists for occasional listening, but I don't usually think of them otherwise.

I don't know how I feel about them recording their new album, it's a hard endeavor - if they sound too much like their old stuff, what's the point of a new 2011 album? But if they sound too different, what's the point of being Blink-182? Ahhh the burden of cranky aging fans expectations... LOL. For example, just think about how much Green Day has changed from Dookie (simple and fabulous) to their most recent efforts (political rock operas). Relax, I am not comparing their musical talent, people, just the possible future paths for maturing punk bands! I would imagine Blink has to go kinda indie, right? Not that my own listening trajectory post-high-school would be the right route for everyone, but it's kind of a natural progression for some (think college radio). And based on the few eps of the show I have seen, and the guests, Hoppus has some decent taste. And based on both older (Adam's Song) and newer work (I Miss You) we know they can still have a hit even when the themes are darker and their chords are slower.


Video selections from the greatest hits:

Dammit - Classic song. Iconic. Has to rank as one of the top songs of the 90s. I have little to no actual music talent other than appreciation, but I got my brother to teach me a little of this on the guitar & bass. Like just about everything else I learned in high school, however, I have now tragically forgotten it. The video is pretty juvenile, but understandably so.






All the Small Things - this video is possibly one of my favorites, because they play it all so perfectly - the outfits, the dancing, the fans. Super funny. A little hard to watch because you have to cringe a little at the 90s and the whole boy band thing we all had to live through, but a pretty legit parody.





What's My Age Again - another good video. Short and to the point, hee. I actually think I didn't like this that much when it came out, cause I thought it was silly. Clearly, I hadn't watched enough music videos at that point to realize that cheap joyous nudity is actually far more entertaining than say, a video where everyone just stands there doing nothing, or the dreaded 'party/club' video. Now I am thankful this exists, LOL.





Josie - The one with Alyssa Milano.




Man Overboard - They dream of little people versions of their videos. Also a very catchy song.





I Miss You - slightly more recent, and you can tell - the music is less frantic, and the video is more polished than the last few, with an attempt at a gothy artsy vibe. Which works, if a little heavy-handedly. But let's face it, the real reason everyone likes this song is that it references The Nightmare Before Christmas. They know their fanbase. (Also I am kind of a sucker for the nail polish and the upright bass, and by how much better they all look dressed up nicely. So cute. Also I would take all the ladies clothing shown in the video.)







Looking at the hits, I have to say I pretty solidly like most of their videos. And, with the exception of the more recent 'I Miss You', they all have a quality of wild cheerfulness, which I really like. Yes, they come off a little douchey, but it's late 90s pop skate punk, that's the whole point! A little youthful insouciance can be endearing. Now several years later, do I think they will be able to carry that over into the future? I don't know, it remains to be seen. But I definitely look forward to seeing the videos; here's hoping they retain some of the exuberance of their earlier works.

And wow, did I just reveal WAY too much about myself by devoting this much wordage to Blink-182.

I'm going to say this like more than two people actually read this - what bands did you see get famous? Who got you young? What bands define your hometown's mood when you were in high school?