Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
The New Joint
July 23 & July 24, 2009
Photos by Rob Goald

Blink 182, who have sold over 13 million albums in America, reunited last week, after a five year hiatus, for two sold-out shows at The New Joint at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. With much scatological bantering (“motherfucker”, “shit”, “cocksucker”) between lead guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge and bassist/singer Mark Hoppus, the band ripped through an impressive set.

Opening with “Dumpweed”, from 1999’s kickoff “Enema of the State”CD then following that with “Feeling This” from the last eponymous disc, the band seemed comfortable and relaxed as they launched into the next phase of their storied career.

Blink looked great with particular attention paid to shirtless, heavily tattooed, drummer Travis Barker who barely escaped alive in November 2008 from a plane crash in which several fellow passengers were killed.

The band’s twenty-two song set was loaded with their greatest hits. An exuberant version of “Rock Show” was followed by “Go”, and one of their best songs “What’s My Age Again”. The crowd was loving every moment and occasionally someone would try to reach the stage only to be ejected from the show by security. Between songs, DeLonge made inane and juvenile comments such as “I honestly feel I should only talk about my dick” and “Chuck Norris masturbates to us”. But remember these comments come from a band that has displayed its immaturity like a battle flag.

Blink 182, however, exhibited a flat out ability to nail many of their tunes particularly rendering an astonishingly tight “Adam’s Song” and “All the Small Things”. Barreling across a stage that was dressed by a computerized lighting scheme the band displayed a kinetic energy that was infectious.

Adding depth to the set were a couple of jams on older numbers like "Down," "Miss You" and "Stockholm Syndrome," which stretch past their original running times and showcase Blink as you've probably never seen them before; as musicians achieving a virtuosity unheard of in punk rock. This professionalism is
evidence of a band which takes its legend seriously.

For a well deserved encore to their 90 plus minute set, Travis Barker was given a chance to shine with a 360 degree rotating drum kit and a drum solo that allowed him to pound away to a remixed version Jay-Z.

To end the show with a flourish the speedy opening chords of “Dammit” from the 1997 CD “Dude Ranch” sent the crowd into a frenzy which was topped by confetti falling from the rafters and a series of Conan O’Brien style “air puppets”. Quite a show!

The Set List for Blink 182 at The Joint on July 24, 2009 is as follows:
1. Dumpweed
2. Feeling This
3. Rock Show
4. Go
5. What’s My Age Again?
6. Violence
7. I Miss You
8. Stay Together
9. Down
10. Always
11. Stockholm
12. First Date
13. Man Overboard
14. Don’t Leave Me
15. Not Now
16. Small Things
17. Adam’s Song
18. Reckless Abandon
19. Josie
20. Anthem 2
21. Carousel
22. Dammit
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