After a rather tumultuous 2018 (read all about it here), Blink-182 is back on track in a big way. The ringing of the new year seemed to invigorate the pop-punk giant as the band has been busy making headlines over the last couple weeks -- the latest and greatest news? On Monday, Blink-182 announced a headlining slot at the second annual Back to the Beach two-day festival on April 27-28 at Huntington State Beach.
Presented by the band's own drummer Travis Barker (who's also presenting his other annual tattoo/music festival, Musink, in Orange County on March 8-10), Goldfinger frontman John "Feldy" Feldmann and iconic LA rock radio station KROQ, the 2019 Back to the Beach fest once again features a punk/ska-led lineup that -- aside from Blink-182 and Goldfinger (naturally) -- also includes the Used, Reel Big Fish, the Story So Far, Streelight Manifesto, the Aquabats, Less Than Jake, Save Ferrish, the English Beat, and more.
Tickets go on sale at backtothebeachfest.com on Friday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. PST. A limited number of weekend general admission passes will be available for $79.99 each plus fees. For the festival's full lineup and more information, head here.
"Back to the Beach has been one of the funnest things I’ve ever been part of," Feldmann said in a press release. "What could be better than a mostly ska festival? I grew up on ska music and I had the best time of my life last year at the show… This year may even be better! Travis and I are so excited to do the show yet again… I cannot wait!"
Of course, the Back to the Beach news is just the most recent newsworthy tidbit to come out the Blink camp -- there's been plenty more lately.
On Jan. 16, bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus confirmed rumors that the band had hit the studio for a collaboration with EDM-pop duo the Chainsmokers.
It's true. https://t.co/5vtzI9ukFQ — mark hoppus. (@markhoppus) January 17, 2019
But perhaps the biggest Blink-related surprise to hit the blogosphere recently was the Jan. 17 release of Dude Ranch Dressing, a sustainable vegan sauce developed and launched by a company of the same name. Created by two UCLA students, Megan Hullander and Angela Simmons, the duo (of course) looked to Blink-182's seminal 1997 "Dude Ranch" album for inspiration and the appropriately-named dressing was born.
"It's pretty packed with flavor but it’s not overwhelming," Simmons told the Daily Bruin about the sauce. "So it’s a really good balance between this crazy flavor, (but) you can enjoy carrots, or pita bread, or whatever you want to put your ranch on, and it doesn’t take away from the flavor of the food."
Sounds tasty! And hey, let's all be thankful they didn't call it Enema of the Plate instead.
