Exclusive Interview with Mark Hoppus

We’ve heard about your solo project a little while before the whole blink-182 reunion/continuation started. What can you tell us about it? Any chances of it happening?

Before blink-182 got back together, I had been working for a few months on a project of my own.  I had about 12-15 ideas in various stages, and when blink-182 started up again, I brought all of those ideas to the table. I don’t know if I will continue down the road of doing an album on my own or not.  Right now I’m concentrating on the tour, the new record, producing, doing remixes, and everything else.  I have been talking with Chris Holmes about the idea of recording an entirely electronic album on tour, just to pass the time, but we will see if that comes to pass.

Do you have any current political, social or environmental concern? What do you do about them? What about the participation of you and other famous people in debates like it just happened with Prop 8? How important is it?

I rarely voice any of my personal political beliefs.  To me, the prop 8 issue was not political, it was more about basic civil rights in the United States.  I am also very concerned and involved in trying to help our environment.

How do you handle to manage your time among rehearsals, productions, blink-182 and family?

I don’t need a lot of sleep to function, and I am very busy from the start of the day and into the night.  I try and balance everything.

What’s the line to get stuck in our heads from the new single? What can you tell us about it?

The hook of the song is “it keeps me up all night.”  I’m super stoked on the way this song is turning out in the recording, and also the way I think it’s going to translate in the live show.  Lots of energy, very dynamic.  Kind of the next step from where we left off on the last blink-182 album.

Next month Enema of the State is turning 10. Definitely it was the biggest step to blink-182′s success. Why do you think that is?

Hard work, catchy songs, the right timing, and a whole lot of luck.

Tell us about “The Octopus”. Where did it come from, what does it really mean and what are the projects related to it? Is any more mystery around it yet to come?

I am the octopus.  That is all.

The Octopus in Brazil was a total success. Did you plan on making Brazil part of it, or it was just something you decided to do since the chance came up with Action182.com?

I had always wanted to octopus drives to be international.  Brazil has always been a huge supporter, so I wanted to make sure that the drives made their way down there. Specifically with the action182 people who have been supporters for so long.

More than 1000 people went after the 2 flash drives in Brazil. How do you take this kind of thing?

Amazing.  I can’t believe how incredible the fans in Brazil are.  I can’t wait to get down there.

And at last, we wanted to say thanks again, for all the attention and for the 17 years of blink-182 you, Tom and Travis are keeping up. Could you leave a message to all the Action182.com visitors?

Thank you very much.