Blink-182 Original Members Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker Claim ‘California’ Returns The Band To Its Punk Rock Roots

Blink-182 fans, rejoice: The San Diego-bred rock band is just two months away from releasing a new album. Despite the group’s recent ups and downs, including but not limited to losing longtime front man Tom DeLonge and gaining Alkaline Trio guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba, its members believe “California” is an album both old and new fans will enjoy.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the trio called their forthcoming project “a rebirth.” Bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus told the media outlet that “California” was essentially Blink-182 returning to their roots. He claimed it’s the same gritty rock band it was during the “Adam’s Song” era. Fellow original member Travis Barker, who provides the rhythmic drum beats Blink-182 fans have come to know and love, echoed that sentiment, assuring listeners that the group’s back to doing what it does best, although there is a “really sentimental ballad” on the album.

“I feel like this album really takes up back to what Blink is all about,” Hoppus said.

The band’s newest member, Skiba opened up to ET about his role in creating “California.” He shared that he wrote a portion of the new single, titled “Bored to Death.” Skiba said that his verse was inspired by the feeling he got from Hoppus’ opening line, which centers on the challenges people face in different relationships and how difficult it can be to face your feelings head-on.

“It’s easier to say you’re bored, or to be angry, than it is to be sad. To me, that’s what that verse and the song represents,” the former Alkaline Trio member said.

While fans will have to wait until July to own a copy of Blink-182’s seventh studio album, they can see the trio perform its cuts live much sooner. The band will be hitting the road with A Day to Remember this summer, performing their first show in San Diego July 22. The tour will go on until Oct. 1, hitting 45 cities across the U.S. Tickets go on sale May 6 at noon EDT, although presale tickets were made available to select fans Monday.

Blink-182 has been teasing “California,” as well as its cover art, for weeks. The group revealed April 25 what many presume to be the cover art for its album on Instagram by releasing small portions of the art in several different pieces. The photographs combined to reveal a larger image, which can also be seen in their lyric video for “Bored to Death.”

“California” will be released July 1, but fans can listen to the first single off the album below: