Released: November 18, 2003

Producer: Jerry Finn

[Interlude: Joanne Whalley]
My dearest, I've missed you very, very much since that last night we were together and will hold that night especially in my memories for years to come. I've been turning it over and over in my mind lately. I've read your letter through at least four times, and will probably read it more times before I'm through. I've been sitting here, looking at your picture, and getting more homesick every minute. I've wanted that picture more than anything else I know of except, of course, you yourself. I keep thinking of you, darling, keep wishing I could be home with you. I want to leave in the worse possible way so I can come home to see you, but things don't look so good in that subject. This war has spoiled a lot of things for everyone, I guess. I've never been so lonesome in my life as I am right now. I'm completely lost without you, darling. I never realized I could miss any one person so much. I just hope it won't be too much longer till I'm able to be with you again and live a sane and normal life.

​​blink-182

blink-182 set off the 1990s storm of pop-punk, blazing a trail in the genre with electrifying riffs and memorable lines—“Fuck a Dog,” anyone? The band has seen some lineup changes over the years, but its core trio (Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus, and Travis Barker) has mostly stood the test of time. As of 2015, DeLonge left the band to pursue other projects.

Founded in 1992 in Poway, California (a suburb in San Diego), DeLonge, Hoppus, and former drummer Scott Raynor formed the band in Raynor’s bedroom, writing songs for their demos, and playing practical jokes along the way. Initially, under the name Blink, the trio was forced to change the name to avoid a lawsuit with the Irish pop-rock group of the same name, so they added “182” at random (fans continue to speculate what “182” means to this day).

After releasing their demo album Buddha, blink-182 released Cheshire Cat in 1995 under Cargo Records. While not a major success at the time, the album generated buzz from the Southern California punk scene and major labels alike. After being signed to MCA Records, the band released Dude Ranch in 1997 with the hit singles “Dammit” and “Josie”.