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Neighborhoods (Blink-182 album)

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Untitled

Neighborhoods is the sixth studio album by the American pop punk band Blink-182, tentatively scheduled for release September 27, 2011 through Geffen Records. Their first album of new material in eight years, its recording followed the band's 2009 reunion after a four-year hiatus. It will be the first Blink-182 album produced by the band members without the help of an outside record producer.

The album has suffered numerous delays. Although several demos were recorded in 2009, work on the album began in earnest in June 2010. In April 2011 the band cancelled a European tour, as recording of the album was taking longer than expected. As a result, Geffen Records gave the band a July 31 deadline. The record's first single, "Up All Night", premiered July 14, 2011.

Background

Blink-182 announced on February 22, 2005 that they would be going on an "indefinite hiatus".[1] Tensions begin to arise in late 2004 between the band members as guitarist Tom DeLonge expressed his desire to cancel an upcoming tour and enter a half-year respite from touring.[2] At a band meeting which coincided with the beginning of Blink-182's final European tour in December, DeLonge expressed his desire to spend more time with his family. He also declined recording a new album.[3] During the band's six-month break, bassist Mark Hoppus expressed his desire for the band to perform at Music for Relief's Concert for South Asia, a benefit show to aid victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[2] DeLonge agreed to perform, and the band subsequently began rehearsing for the event in February 2005. Further tensions, however, arose between the band members during rehearsals, and they began arguing about a variety of issues, such as the band's "forced" break.[3] Manager Rick DeVoe phoned Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker, who were waiting in the rehearsal space for DeLonge, the following day to tell them that DeLonge had quit the band, stating: "As of today, Tom DeLonge is no longer a member of Blink-182."[3][4] Jordan Schur, the former president of Geffen Records (distributor of Blink-182, the band's final album before their break-up), reportedly told Barker to "any press you do, make sure you say everything is cool," opting to instead issue a statement calling the band's break-up an 'indefinite hiatus'.[5]

In June 2008, DeLonge told Spinner.com he had "no desire to go back and play in Blink-182 again."[6] In July 2008, former Blink-182 producer Jerry Finn, who had produced every Blink record since Enema of the State (as well as +44's debut), suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.[7] In August, he was taken off life support and died on August 21. Hoppus took to his blog, HiMyNameisMark, to express his feelings: "I feel blessed to have worked with and learned so much from him. But most of all, I am honored to call him my dear friend. Jerry, I miss you already."[8] On September 19, Barker and collaborator Adam Goldstein (aka DJ AM), were involved in a plane crash that killed four people, leaving Barker and Goldstein the only survivors.[9] The accident resulted in sixteen surgeries, 48-hour blood transfusions and Barker developing post-traumatic stress disorder.[10] Goldstein died less than a year later of a drug overdose.

Immediately the two cataclysmic incidents raised rumors of a possible Blink-182 reunion. Hoppus was alerted about Barker's accident by a phone call in the middle of the night and jumped on the next flight to the burn center.[10] DeLonge found out via the TV news at an airport while waiting to board a flight. He landed and mailed a letter and two photographs to Barker: a photo of Blink aboard a submarine in the Middle East and another of himself and his two kids. "One was 'Do you remember who we were?' and the other was 'This is who I am now,' " DeLonge says. "It was a good moment to put the shit aside."[10] DeLonge also commented that, no matter what happened between himself and Barker in the past, "none of it matters when it comes down to somebody getting hurt."[11] Hoppus's web site and MySpace page were not updated since the day before news of the accident broke, but he finally took to his blog on November 18 to express his feelings, saying that he "hadn't had it in him" to post, adding that "these past two months have been the hardest times I can remember." He also revealed that he, DeLonge, and Barker had all spoken in the aftermath.[12] Barker quashed the rumors in December, but noted that they had been getting along.[13]

Talk of a reunion commenced weeks after the trio began speaking again. The trio had, in Hoppus's words, "two gnarly heart-to-hearts," during which the three opened up.[10] "Tom had just kind of come out to Los Angeles for the day," recalled Hoppus, "I remember he said, 'So, what do you guys think? Where are your heads at?' And I said, 'I think we should continue with what we've been doing for the past 17 years. I think we should get back on the road and back in the studio and do what we love doing.'".[14] Hoppus stated in January 2009, in reference to a reunion, that "the future is wide open,"[15] although fans were initially skeptical.[16] Eventually, the band appeared for the first time on stage together in nearly five years as presenters at the 51st Grammy Awards on February 8. Barker said, "We used to play music together, and we decided we're going to play music together again," and Hoppus yelled, "Blink-182 is back!" The band's official website was updated with a statement: "To put it simply, We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy."[17]

Recording and production

The band began recording demos of new material in 2009. All three members brought song ideas that they would end up working on for years.[14] As the band got back together, Barker said that the trio immediately "got inspired" by practicing their old songs and listening to them again, and they decided to record demos. There were four demos done, and only one was near completion, "Up All Night".[18] The trio wanted to release it as a single then, but quickly they realized that it was too ambitious to complete it before their reunion tour began in July.[19] Sessions were stalled by the summer 2009 reunion tour, during which the band reconnected musically and emotionally.[20] During the tour, Barker got the phone call that DJ AM had overdosed and died in New York, which heavily affected him.[21] The band did a large amount of writing before leaving on tour, but upon completion of the tour, they took time off to "take a couple of months and chill and do other stuff," with intentions to regroup in 2010.[22] DeLonge learned during the recording process, in his own words, to "let go and be okay with not being able to control everything."[23]

The album was recorded at both DeLonge's studio in San Diego and in Los Angeles by Hoppus and Barker.[20] Recording in separate studios was DeLonge's idea, and ideas were exchanged via e-mail. Various engineers met up in person to trade files on hard drives.[24] In June and July 2010, the band spent time at their rehearsal spot, writing and recording new songs. The band intended to wrap up touring by September, and stay in the studio for the rest of the year until the album was finished.[25] In early 2011, Barker left for a tour in support of the release of his solo album, while DeLonge and Hoppus continued to work at their separate studios.[26] Under pressure, the band released a statement in April that effectively rescheduled all European tour dates due to the album's prolonged recording. "When we booked the tour last year, we were confident that we would have the new album out before the Summer. Turns out we were mistaken, as the album is taking longer than we thought," read the statement.[27] In response, Geffen Records gave the trio a July 31 deadline for the record. DeLonge joked that, "We'll probably actually drive it to the (Geffen) president's house at two in the morning and hand it through his bedroom window at the last possible minute."[28] In May, the band was still writing and recording, with DeLonge saying "We thought we were closing in on the end, and literally a week ago we pumped out a whole set of stuff that I think will be some of the best on the album."[29] By the time of the July 31 deadline, the record was near completion and finally completed over August.[24]

The record will be the first to be self-produced, due to the death of long-time producer Jerry Finn in 2008. Not only did Finn helm their last three studio albums, but he served as an invaluable member of the band: part adviser, part impartial observer, he helped smooth out tensions and hone their sound.[30] "I honestly still feel like he’s in the studio with us, because for me, personally, everything that was about recording and being in a studio, I learned from Jerry," said Hoppus.[14] DeLonge was against using a producer after self-producing most of his Angels & Airwaves records, described the band situation as "very democratic."[23] The album sessions will be partially documented in The Blinkumentary.[31][32] The recording and release of Neighborhoods was delayed multiple times. The recording's delay was due to the way the band chose to work — in bits and pieces, alone and together, in a pair of California studios — in addition to each member's busy schedules.[33] In addition, Barker was releasing a solo record, DeLonge was involved in Angels & Airwaves, and Hoppus had to fly to New York City once a week to film his television show, Hoppus on Music.[24] Hoppus attributed the album's delay to the band learning to work by themselves without Finn, and both DeLonge and Hoppus expressed frustration during the sessions at the band's cabal of publicists, managers and attorneys (which DeLonge described as "the absolute diarrhea of bureaucracy"). Hoppus moved to London with his family late in the recording process, also complicating matters.[24]

Composition

"Ghost on the Dance Floor" is specifically about "hearing a song you shared with someone that's passed."[24] The track resonated with Barker, who called DeLonge one night because the song affected him while listening to it, because of the death of DJ AM.[23] "After Midnight" was one of four new songs birthed from a last-minute writing session after the band canceled their European tour. Barker's favorite track (and originally titled "Travis Beat") was written in separate studios but composed and recorded together.[24] "MH 04 18 2011" was originally titled "Hold On", but DeLonge thought the new title sounded cool, likening it to an computer virus. "Snake Charmer", initially titled "Genesis" as a reference to the Book of Genesis, is based on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve.[24]

Release

Expectations for Neighborhoods are described by Alternative Press as "truly gigantic, both within the music industry and the record-buying mainstream."[24] On July 15, the album title and release date were announced. The album is tentatively set for a September 27 release.[34] The title Neighborhoods evolved out of the trio discovering that each bring a very different aesthetic to the band, each like different neighborhoods in a city. "Everybody in the world thinks of something unique unto themselves when they hear the word 'Neighborhoods'," said Hoppus. "To some it is a big city, others a small town, others suburbia, everything. The world is wide, exciting and very different. That's what Neighborhoods means to me."[35] The album artwork for the record was revealed on August 4, featuring the band name written atop a city skyline.[36] The same day, the band began streaming another new song, "Heart's All Gone", through a dedicated website.[37]

The Neighborhoods sleeve contains many names close to the band, including Chloe (DeLonge's pet Labrador Retriever), Ava and Jon (DeLonge's daughter Ava Elizabeth and son Jonas Rocket), Jack (Hoppus' son), Alabama and Ati (Barker's daughter and step-daughter, Atiana), G! (Mike Giant, designer of the cover), and lastly, a memorial to DJ AM.[23]

Supporting tours

Blink-182 first began touring in support of Neighborhoods with the 2011 Honda Civic Tour in August 2011. The 2011 tour marks the tenth anniversary of the tour, which Blink-182 headlined in its first incarnation. The band is co-headlining with My Chemical Romance.[38]


References

  1. ^ James Montgomery (February 22, 2005). "Blink-182 Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' As Breakup Rumors Swirl". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Jason Tate (August 14, 2006). "Interview with Mark Hoppus". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  3. ^ Spence D. (April 8, 2005). "+44 Interview". IGN. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  4. ^ James Montgomery (September 20, 2006). "Plus-44's Travis Barker Still Has A Lot To Say About Blink Breakup". MTV News. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  5. ^ Georgia Kral (June 27, 2008). "Tom DeLonge Has 'No Desire' to Reunite With Blink-182". Spinner.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  6. ^ "Producer Jerry Finn Taken Off Life Support". Billboard. August 13, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Chris Harris (August 25, 2008). "Blink-182, AFI Producer Jerry Finn Dead At 39". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  8. ^ Geoff Boucher and Jennifer Oldham (September 21, 2008). "Four die in plane crash; rock star, DJ survive". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d Erica Futterman (August 6, 2009). "Blink-182 on Drugs, Barker's Crash: "Human Life Trumps Everything"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Chris Harris (October 6, 2008). "Tom DeLonge Comments On Travis Barker Plane Crash". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  11. ^ James Montgomery (November 19, 2008). "Is A Blink-182 Reunion In The Cards? Mark Hoppus Blogs About Hanging With Travis Barker, Tom DeLonge". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  12. ^ Jem Aswad and James Montgomery (December 1, 2008). "Travis Barker Quashes Blink-182 Reunion Rumors". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Scott Heisel (February 19, 2009). "A conversation with Blink-182's Mark Hoppus". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ James Montgomery (January 12, 2009). "Exclusive: Mark Hoppus Talks Blink-182 Reunion". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  15. ^ James Montgomery (January 15, 2009). "Blink-182 Fans Skeptical Of Mark Hoppus' Reunion Talk". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  16. ^ Gil Kaufman (February 8, 2009). "Blink-182 Confirm Reunion On Grammy Stage". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  17. ^ James Montgomery (June 8, 2009). "Travis Barker Talks 'Heavy' New Blink-182 Songs". MTV News. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  18. ^ Gary Graff (August 22, 2009). "Crash helps bring Blink-182 together again". The Macomb Daily. Retrieved July 13, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b Steve Appleford (March 23, 2011). "How Blink-182's Teen Angst Grew Up". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Steve Appleford (March 1, 2011). "Travis Barker on His Painful Recovery, Solo Disc, New Blink-182 Album and More". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ James Montgomery (January 29, 2010). "Mark Hoppus Promises 'Weird' New Blink-182 Album". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  22. ^ a b c d "10 Things You Need to Know About the New Blink Album". Kerrang!. August 2011. p. 6
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h Heisel, Scott. "Re-Start the Machine". Alternative Press. August 2011. pp. 93–101
  24. ^ James Montgomery (June 23, 2010). "'New Blink-182 Music Is On The Way,' Mark Hoppus Promises". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  25. ^ Gary Graff (April 7, 2011). "Blink-182 'More Than Halfway Through' New Album, Says Travis Barker". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Monica Herrera (April 18, 2011). "Blink-182 Postpones European Tour to Finish Album". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Gary Graff (June 23, 2011). "Blink-182's DeLonge: New Album Will Include Throwbacks, 'Prog-Rock' Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Steve Appleford (May 24, 2011). "Blink-182 Reveal Big Plans for New Album, Summer Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ James Montgomery (April 8, 2011). "Blink-182's Mark Hoppus Talks Moving On Without Late Producer Jerry Finn". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  30. ^ Daniel Kreps (January 11, 2010). "Blink-182 to Document New Album Sessions in Blinkumentary". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ James Montgomery (January 11, 2010). "Blink-182 Hit The Studio As New Documentary Trailer Hits The Net". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  32. ^ James Montgomery (April 27, 2011). "Mark Hoppus Says Blink-182 Are 'Working Very Hard' On New Album". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  33. ^ Steve Baltin (July 15 2011). "Blink-182 Offer 'Throwback, Progressive' Songs on 'Neighborhoods'". Spinner.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ James Montgomery (July 18, 2011). "Blink-182's Mark Hoppus Reveals Neighborhoods Inspiration". MTV News. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  35. ^ NME staff (August 4, 2011). "Blink-182 reveal artwork for new album Neighborhoods". NME. Retrieved August 4, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Tyler Common (August 4, 2011). "Listen to a new Blink-182 song, 'Heart's All Gone' and read the lyrics". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 4, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ Kevin O'Donnell (May 23, 2011). "Blink-182 to Tour with My Chemical Romance". Spin. Retrieved May 27, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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