blink-182 reunion!

Must be something in the San Diego water supply because local bands continue to reunite. San Diego/ Tijuana artists like Jason Mraz and Bostich + Fussible may have been shut out at last night’s Grammy awards, but the big local news was that local pop-punkers blink-182 are back together and in the studio preparing their first album since 2003′s blink-182.

Walking onstage for the first time together since late 20o4 with “What’s My Age, Again?” playing in the background, bassist Mark Hoppus joked, ‘Isn’t it great to see The Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder back together again?,” referring to the musical performance that preceded them. Drummer Travis Barker, his arm still in a sling from last year’s near-fatal plane crash with DJ AM, then announced, “We used to play music together, and we decided we’re going to play music together again.” Hoppus then exclaimed, “blink-182 is back!” The band went on to announce the nominees and winner of the “Best Rock Album” category,  and while singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge looked somewhat uncomfortable, keeping a healthy distance from his old band mates, he did smile alot and laughed at Hoppus’ joking manner. Who knows if this link still works by the time you read this, but you can see the video here. 

The following statement appears on the band’s website:

“Hi. We’re blink-182. This past week there’ve been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. 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.

Summer 2009.

Thanks and get ready…”

All this is surprising when you take into consideration that as recently as December, Barker reiterated that the trio was not getting back together and told TMZ, ”No, we’re friends, though, everyone’s getting along pretty good.” And then in January, Hoppus announced he was doing a solo record with Barker adding drum tracks (the two were in the post-blink project, +44, together, while DeLonge went on to form Angels & Airwaves), so it seemed then that any talks of a blink reunion would have to wait. 

According to Reuters, the “Summer 2009″ statement might be alluding to a possible tour opening for Green Day, but nothing official has been announced.