blink-182 Return with 50-second Punk/Hardcore Ripper "Generational Divide" from "Punk-Rock Closet" (Viking Wizard Eyes/Columbia Records)

Last Friday was quite the busy day for critically-acclaimed drummer/producer Travis Barker: his remix for rising Pop songstress Maggie Lindemann's "Friends Go" was released, as well as "F9mily (You and Me)" from Country/Rap emcee Lil Nas X's latest 7 EP, AND his main gig, Blink-182 released a new song, "Generational Divide." As many of you may know by now, long-time co-vocalist and guitarist, Tom DeLonge, was fired/quit Blink back in 2015. Prior to this, the band had been active with Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge & Travis Barker from 1998-2005, then, the band broke up for about four years, and reunited in 2009 for numerous world-wide tours. FULL DISCLOSURE: Blink-182 was amongst my first favorite Punk/Hardcore bands, so I'm a bit biased! I've always stated, I was happy when Blink returned—although, Mark & Travis' Electro-Rock/Pop-Punk band (+44) formed in the interim, put out one of my all-time favorite albums!—although, their proper 2011 "reunion" album, Neighborhoods, was a bit lackluster and disjointed-sounding. Honestly, I would have been completely happy and content, if Blink-182's final album was their genre-eschewing first "final" album, untitled/self-titled from 2003... or even their 2012 holiday EP, Dogs Eating Dogs, which featured a couple verses from Shady/Slumerican Records emcee, Yelawolf.


Although, to any effect, Blink have now recruited long-time friend and touring mate, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio as their newest member and replacement for Tom DeLonge. This new incarnation of Blink with Matt Skiba has already released a full-length together, 2016's California, which received a Deluxe Edition Re-issue in May 2017 complete with 12 additional Bonus Tracks. "Generational Divide" is a 50-second Punk/Hardcore ripper that, it appears, will serve as the second proper single from Blink-182's upcoming as-yet-untitled/unannounced eight studio album. "It's kind of anything goes. It's the same vibe that was that was going on when we did the self-titled [album]. Literally, anything goes... I think, we're creating one of the most important Blink albums, so I'm really proud of it," Travis Barker explained within a recent interview with Front Row Live Ent. Barker, also, confirmed said album will, supposedly, be produced by long-time collaborator John Feldmann (Goldfinger) as well as Pharrell & The Futuristics. "Generational Divide" was filmed at a secret location, which has thus far, only been referred to as the "Punk-Rock Closet" and directed by Kevin Kerslake. Blink are surrounded by what appears to be a room plastered wall-to-wall with Old School & Modern Day Punk/Hardcore flyers; blink and you might miss it, but you'll catch quick glimpses of flyers for The Misfits, Fugazi, Circle Jerks, Melvins, Naked Raygun, The Cramps, Wasted Youth, Youth of Today, Hinds, Rancid, Dead Kennedys, The Orientles, Stains, and countless other seminal Punk bands.