I hope you're ready to party like it's 1999, because Blink-182 is kind of having a moment.
A few weeks ago, the pop-punk band beloved by pre-emo pre-teens everywhere in the late 1990s and early 2000s grabbed headlines when there was some drama between members Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker regarding DeLonge's status in the band. Now DeLonge is making news again, not because he has suddenly resolved his issues with his bandmates, but because of his thoughts on extraterrestrial life forms.
Yes, seriously. In an extensive interview with Paper Magazine published yesterday, DeLonge speaks about his belief in the existence of UFOs, having his phone wiretapped and the legitimacy yet conspiracy of the moon landing. Here's one of the highlights of the interview, where DeLonge speaks about encountering aliens at Area 51:
"When we went out there the first night, we decided to run through this protocol where you project your thoughts. So we decided to do it, and we were up mad late, but nothing happened. I kept telling the guys: if anything was going to happen, it would happen at three in morning, because that's the time when things like this happen. Don't ask me why. We put about four logs on the fire, and everything is illuminated by the fire, and we fall asleep around one or two. I woke up right around three a.m. My whole body felt like it had static electricity, and I open my eyes and the fire is still going, and there's a conversation going on outside the tent. It sounded like there were about 20 people there, talking. And instantly my mind goes, OK, they're at our campsite, they're not here to hurt us, they're talking about shit, but I can't make out what they're saying. But they're working on something. Then I close my eyes and wake up, and the fire is out and I have about three hours of lost time."
Whoa, trippy. This interview was actually conducted before DeLonge's high-profile dispute with his bandmates, so it's not like he decided to pick up another hobby once his future in the band was put in jeopardy. In fact, he's actually been interested in extraterrestrial life for years, and he hasn't been shy about his beliefs either. As Paper Magazine points out, Blink-182 recorded a song called "Aliens Exist," DeLonge's belief in aliens was mentioned in a 2000 Rolling Stone story and he has launched a website dedicated to his fascination with UFOs called Strange Times.
Say what you want about his ideas, but you can't deny that the guy is passionate. I just wish we would see that passion channeled into new Blink-182 music some time soon.
Head over to Paper Magazine to read the full interview, which will definitely not disappoint.
