blink-182 has exciting news for their OG fans.
The iconic rock band that grew to fame in the 1990s and early 2000s released the 25th anniversary edition of their 2001 album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, to digital streaming services on Friday, celebrating 25 years of one of the group’s most popular albums. In addition, blink-182 included six new bonus tracks on the anniversary edition album and exclusive merch on their website to celebrate the occasion.
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Formed in 1992 in Poway, California, by Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Scott Raynor, blink-182 first gained popularity in the Southern California skate punk scene and were known for their high-energy live shows and humor. After years of recording and releasing albums independently, blink-182 signed with MCA Records, and released their first and fourth albums, Enema of the State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), which include their top singles like “All the Small Things,” “First Date,” “Dammit” and “What’s My Age Again?,” which all became hit songs and staples on MTV.
Since their debut, blink-182 has released nine studio albums, with their most recent being One More Time… in 2023. They have also been on multiple headlining tours since 1998, and were recently on their Missionary Impossible Tour last year.
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Take Off Your Pants and Jacket is blink-182’s fourth studio record, which was released on June 12, 2001. The album was mostly produced by longtime collaborator Jerry Finn and was recorded in his studio in San Diego. It reflected the band’s transition from indie to industry demands, with MCA Records pushing blink-182 to meet their deadlines and expectations.
Originally with 13 tracks, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket became a modern rock success the moment it was released, becoming the first punk record to hit No. 1 in the United States. Selling 14 million copies worldwide, the album produced three hit singles: “The Rock Show, “Stay Together For The Kids” and “First Date.” To support the album, they co-headlined the Pop Disaster Tour with Green Day and went on their own headlining tour during the summer of 2001.
In an interview with MTV, Hoppus revealed the story behind the silly album title. He revealed that their technician, Larry Palm, pitched it, and they thought it was so funny, so they used it. The bassist and lead singer also teased the cover art for the record.
“The cover art demonstrates it in a pretty straightforward way, not in a phallic way, but in the literal meaning of it,” he explained. The album cover consists of three icons: one red circle with an airplane, a yellow circle with a drawing of a pair of pants, and a green circle with a jacket.
Despite its success, neither blink-182 nor the album received any accolades from the Grammy Awards. It wasn’t until 2017 that blink-182 was nominated for Best Rock Album for their seventh studio album, California. The award ended up going to Cage the Elephant for Tell Me I’m Pretty.
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To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, fans have been speculating that the group may go on tour soon. As of Friday, blink-182 has not confirmed or denied the rumors.
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (25 Year Anniversary Edition) is out now on all streaming platforms. Exclusive merchandise and CDs can be purchased on blink-182’s official website.
Related: ’90s Rock Legends blink-182 Headlining Star-Studded Arizona Music Festival
