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Blink-182, lucky breaks and the power of place

Author
KPBS Public Media
Published
Thu 07 Aug 2025
Episode Link
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/the-finest/blink-182-lucky-breaks-and-the-power-of-place

Blink-182 is the biggest band to ever come out of San Diego. But their path — from the dungeon of the original SOMA to global stardom — was shaped by a lot more than just talent. With music journalist Dan Ozzi, co-author of bassist Mark Hoppus' new memoir, "Fahrenheit 182," we revisit the band's early years and the lucky breaks that helped launch them, from skate videos to a last-minute drummer switch.


"There was kind of a Blink-182-shaped hole in pop culture at that time that they just came at the right place, right time and filled," Ozzi said.


We also check in with emerging local acts at the North Park Music Fest, where bands like Peach Cooler are building community through live shows. Their stories spark bigger questions about selling out, staying local and what gets lost in an industry driven by algorithms and infinite playlists. In contrast, local music still offers something deeper: a sense of presence, a shared culture and the kind of connection that streaming can't replicate.


Guests:


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Dan Ozzi's writings:


Mentioned in this episode:

  • Blink-182 | San Diego pop-punk band made up of Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker, whose catchy hooks and irreverent humor made them one of the most famous bands in the world, selling millions of albums and influencing generations of musicians
  • North Park Music Fest | Annual outdoor festival in San Diego's North Park neighborhood featuring local bands, food and craft beer
  • SOMA | San Diego concert venue that has hosted punk, metal and alternative bands since the early 1990s
  • Sombrero | Mexican food chain in San Diego County, famously referenced in Blink-182's song "Josie"
  • Enola Gay | U.S. Army Air Forces B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, marking a turning point in World War II and the beginning of the nuclear age
  • NOFX | California punk band formed in the 1980s, recognized for fast tempos and political lyrics
  • Green Day | Grammy-winning punk band from Northern California whose breakthrough album, "Dookie" (1994), brought punk to mainstream audiences
  • Pennywise | Los Angeles punk band known for its energetic live shows and socially conscious lyrics
  • Jawbreaker | San Francisco punk and emo band influential in shaping the 1990s underground scene
  • Against Me! | Florida punk band led by Laura Jane Grace, known for its raw sound, political themes and later groundbreaking exploration of gender identity in punk rock
  • Rick DeVoe | Longtime manager of Blink-182 and other action sports–associated bands, with deep ties to surf and skate culture
  • Petco Park and the San Diego Padres | The Padres' home stadium, where Blink-182 songs are regularly played during games
  • Tony Hawk | A professional skateboarder from San Diego County whose career and lifestyle helped define modern skate culture, from competitions and video games to a global brand built around skateboarding
  • Skate and surf brands | Labels like Airwalk, Volcom and Billabong that became staples of 1990s skateboarding and surfing style, often linked with punk rock culture


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