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When Hurricane Harvey made landfall two weeks ago, it ravaged everything in its wake -- houses, businesses, infrastucture, people, and even their pets. With that in mind, Blink-182 co-frontman/bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker decided to lend a helping hand to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) by contributing a song to an album aimed at helping dogs impacted by the hurricane.
“Dog Songs” -- a dog-centric concept album -- was created by Allie Goertz and Casey Boyd to raise money for ASPCA. Recently, they found themselves on the receiving end of a Hoppus/Barker tune titled “Not Every Dog Goes to Heaven.”
“I became friends with Allie Goertz on Twitter a while ago and she reached out about writing a song dedicated to a dog from a movie or TV show, to benefit the ASPCA via a compilation album,” Hoppus explained in a press release.
“As a dog lover, I was honored to be asked. I wanted to write an anti-tribute to Dinky, the total bummer of a dog from ['National Lampoon's] Vacation,' one of my favorite films of all time. Last week, I went into the studio with John Feldmann and we bashed out the guitars, bass, and vocals in a morning. Travis came in that afternoon and absolutely destroyed the drums. It was all finished in a matter of 3-4 hours. In a matter of days it went from an idea in the back of my head to a song on an album out in the world. It's a fun, energetic track that I'm proud to have included on the album, and it's for a great cause.”
Even though it’s technically pegged as a Hoppus solo track, the song screams Blink-182. The band's usual pop-punk style of "oh-whoas" and "ah-ah-ahs" are combined with Barker’s complex drumming over frantic guitars.
Lyrically, the dastardly dog character from the film gets an epic sendup from the bassist/singer: “All I wanted was a happy family / Then you peed on the picnic basket / Ultimate c---block.”
Yup, sounds like Blink-182.
To help out and purchase the "Dog Songs" album, go here.
Musician, people-pleaser, lover, fighter and writer Matthew Craig Burke has been spewing musical words of wisdom since never. He lives off of peanut butter sandwiches, beer and Beck Hansen. Follow his updates on Facebook or contact him directly.
