Mark Hoppus Q&A: 'Enjoy every second and rage against the dying of the light'
Mark Hoppus was born in 1972 in Ridgecrest, California. He is the bassist for the punk-pop band Blink-182, which he co-founded in 1992. He is the only band member to appear on all of the group's nine studio albums.
What's your earliest memory?
I was in my parents' closet looking for something and ended up playing with an empty spool of thread – this is how boring it was in the desert in early 1970s in California.
Who are your heroes?
Growing up, it was my mom's dad, Alan. He was a soldier in World War II. He fought through the war and liberated concentration camps. When he got back to the States he became a teacher. After going through probably the most brutal experience a human can go through, he came back and decided that he wanted to help educate kids and become a kind person. My hero as an adult is my wife.
What book last changed your thinking?
I read East of Eden for the first time maybe two years ago and I was blown away by it. I'd always know that John Steinbeck was a great writer but that story specifically affected me a lot.
What would be your 'Mastermind' specialist subject?
I know a lot about the City of London, its history and its inhabitants. I have always been fascinated by London. When we would tour over here my wife and I would come over a week early and we'd stay a week later. We loved it so much that we moved to London for three years; our son went to school here. I love walking through the city and learning about English history.
In which time and place, other than your own, would you like to live?
I'd like to go back to the early 1990s before the internet – with Sonic Youth, Nirvana and great bands like that. I miss the thingness of things, the joy of finding an object that you didn't know was there before. It's different than finding something new on the internet that you just download.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Right before I got married my mum gave me some advice. She said that marriage is very rarely even 50/50 – it's more of a shifting 60/40, and sometimes even 70/30. That's really given me a lot of perspective, Knowing that it's not always equal: sometimes you lean on the other person and sometimes they lean on you.
Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe
What's currently bugging you?
European showers are the worst experience in the world. The fact that you don't have shower doors is ridiculous to me. I've showered from the dirtiest punk-rock clubs to the nicest hotels, and no matter where I take a shower there's always a soaking wet bathroom floor with a wet towel in it.
What single thing would make your life better?
I'm blessed beyond blessed. There is nothing in the world that could make my life better other than time with my band and time with my family.
When were you happiest?
I'm happiest creating a song with Tom and Travis. The moment of creation in the studio, where somebody has an idea and somebody else says, 'What about this?' and it improves the song.
In another life, what job might you have chosen?
I would have been an English professor. Educating others would be a joy for me and it would be a tribute to my grandfather.
Are we all doomed?
Absolutely. Every single one of us is doomed, so do the best you can while you're here, enjoy every second and rage against the dying of the light.
Mark Hoppus's 'Fahrenheit-182' is published by Sphere
[See also: Inside No 10's new dysfunction]
Related
This article appears in the 04 Jun 2025 issue of the New Statesman, The Housing Trap
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
26 minutes ago
- Metro
Doechii pulls out of major UK festival at last minute
US star Doechii has dropped out of All Points East festival this weekend with no explanation given. Fans have been left devastated after the Victoria Park festival announced that she would not be performing on Saturday, August 23. 'We're very sorry to announce that Doechii will no longer be performing at her upcoming shows,' a statement on Instagram read. 'She is an incredible artist, and, like all of her fans, we were hugely excited to see her on stage. All Points East has an amazing line-up including RAYE, Tyla, JADE, Jyoty, Nao and many more, and it's set to be a truly unforgettable day.' No replacement has been announced in the line-up, where Doechii was set to take the stage before Tyla and headliner Raye. The Grammy winner has also pulled out of Paris' Rock En Seine on Thursday and Bristol's Forwards on Sunday. In their comments, All Points East added: 'We are working very hard to see who might be able to perform in the slot vacated by Doechii at short notice, given the complex logistics required to advance a suitable show at a similar scale. 'We will update via our general comms as soon as we have any news.' More Trending Doechii has not yet made a statement herself but fans have been left devastated, saying she was their 'whole reason for coming'. 'I just fell to my knees in M&S,' wrote boluberry3m as abi_afro added: 'I was willing to fight the dust for Doechii 💔' The whole reason I'm coming!! 😭 who's replacing her ??,' asked jessdudfield. 'I vote doja cat 😂.' Emmacobby23 said: 'Absolutely gutted, but hope all is well!! :( Any chance of a last minute line up add?? FLO, Little Simz, Nia Smith, Say Now, Lola Young, Flyana Boss, Jorja Smith, Sinead Harnett, Mae Muller, Mahalia, Molly Grace – so many beautifully talented girlies out there that would smash it!!!!' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: This European festival could cure your Glastonbury 2026 late night blues MORE: Taylor Swift's sexy album cover shocks fans before The Life of a Showgirl release date MORE: Band 'devastated' after being forced to pull out of Reading and Leeds
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Gogglebox's Pete Sandiford has rarely-seen wife gushing over 'sexy' husband in cheeky snap
Gogglebox star Pete Sandiford has been sharing a look inside his personal life and his wife, Paige, was not shy in letting him know how she feels about him Gogglebox favourite Pete Sandiford has thrilled viewers, and his spouse, following the posting of a sunny poolside photograph. The television personality initially appeared on the Channel 4 programme back in 2027 for series 10 alongside sibling Sophie - and they quickly established themselves as audience darlings. Throughout the years, Pete and Sophie - who reside in Blackpool - have left viewers in hysterics with their sharp wit and hilarious observations about television's finest moments. Beyond the small screen however, Pete enjoys wedded bliss with his partner Paige. The couple share two youngsters, Jimmy and Eva. And on Sunday (August 17) despite typically maintaining privacy around his family life, Pete utilised his Instagram platform to offer followers a glimpse into a recent overseas getaway, reports the Manchester Evening News. The snapshot showed Pete enjoying himself in a swimming pool whilst relaxing on an inflatable and holding a tin of lager. His caption read: "August [green tick emoji] only 11 more months to sort for Paige's Christmas present! A cheeky calendar of the best husband in the world." Supporters quickly responded to the image and flooded the comments area. Pete's partner Paige also contributed, writing: "*sexiest," accompanied by a laughing face emoji. Meanwhile, one admirer commented: "Bahaha Pete you legend." Another also posted: "She's a lucky woman! !" A third remarked: "Cheeky chappy." Little information is available about Paige as she has yet to feature on Gogglebox, though reports suggest she works as an emergency services call handler and holds a degree in English and linguistics from Queen Mary University of London. Pete announced their engagement in 2021 on the Channel 4 show, and they got hitched in May of the same year. In September, they welcomed their first child, Jimmy. In 2023, they welcomed their second child, Eva. Pete posted a heartwarming photo of his newborn on Instagram, stating: "Myself and @paigesandiford_ would like to welcome the newest addition to our family, Eva Sylvie Sandiford."
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Rutherglen soldier's World War II medals displayed for VJ Day anniversary
Jack Connor was just 22 when he was called up to serve in the Far East campaign. Cherished medals belonging to a Rutherglen war veteran were on display at the town's library to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Jack Connor served in Burma during World War II, and his prized medals including the Burma Star were showcased at the library on Main Street in his home town, along with his photos, documents and newspaper articles relating to the Far East campaign, often known as the 'Forgotten War'. He and his comrades were remembered by his daughter Dorothy, who laid a wreath at the town's cenotaph on the poignant occasion, along with displaying a peace lily beside the historic items on display at the library. Jack was called up at the age of just 22 to serve as a gunner in the 311/129th Lowland Field Regiment Royal Artillery, part of the 17th Indian Division, 14th Army – and spent most of his service on the front line fighting in savage battles at Meiktila and Tiddim to secure the safety of India and Burma from the invading Japanese forces. The soldiers endured sweltering jungle heat, disease and hostile terrain, often with little food and few supplies, as they fought a brutal enemy in the Far East campaign. He served for more than three years in the Far East, later telling Dorothy that he was never frightened as 'we had too much to do'. He served for more than three years in Burma and later told how he had marched in the victory parade in Rangoon. Thousands of soldiers continued fighting in the Far East for months after the end of the conflict in Europe; and VJ Day on August 15, 1945, the day Japan surrendered, marked the end of World War II. Dorothy said of her late father: 'When we were growing up he would often say, 'I was in the Battle of Meiktila. I marched in the victory parade in Rangoon', and read from his favourite poem Towards The East. 'When he was in his late 60s he would sometimes wake in the middle of the night thinking he was still fighting the Japanese. As well as the memories in his mind he carried the battle scars on his body, as all his comrades did. 'He met up with other Rutherglen lads but reported that a number had been killed in the first Burma campaign. They were told not to talk about their experiences and just get on with their lives, which they did.' Jack finally returned home to Rutherglen in April 1946 and returned to his work as an engineer and as a trade union shop steward at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. He married wife Eileen in 1948 and the couple welcomed two children, Dorothy and John. He wore his Burma Star medal at the couple's ruby wedding celebration, and asked for his medals to be brought into hospital in his last hours before he passed away in 1990 at the age of 70. The Burma star was placed on Jack's coffin at his funeral, which was conducted by Dorothy who described him as 'brave to the last'. Months after his passing, his wife and daughter laid a special local tribute on Remembrance Day at at the statue of 14th Army commander Field Marshall William Slim beside the Cenotaph in London. Dorothy said: 'My mum laid down a tiny posy of a red rose and a sprig of heather, tied with tartan ribbon, planted by my dad and grown in rich Rutherglen soil and said, 'you've not been forgotten'. She did that for all the men.' She told how, after the war, her father 'would get on his soap box at Speakers' Corner in Rutherglen Main Street and fight for workers' rights and socialism', and how the bravery and sacrifice of local soldiers have been recognised during the past decade with motions at both the Scottish and Westminster parliaments. Dorothy added of Jack: 'His entry in the book of remembrance at Linn crematorium is a simple one. It's the last line from his favourite poem – 'Tonight, with comrades who have claimed and found me, I march towards the East.'' VJ Day was marked in Lanarkshire with a ceremony led by Lord Lieutenant Lady Susan Haughey and attended by South Lanarkshire provost Margaret Cooper and North Lanarkshire counterpart Kenneth Duffy. They were joined by war veterans, local politicians, clergy and members of the public for the commemoration in Motherwell, where they observed a minute's silence and Lady Haughey laid the first wreath to honour 'the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and suffered so far from home' eight decades earlier. Provost Cooper gave the benediction, while Provost Duffy said: 'We stand here not just to remember history, but to honour real people, fathers, sons, brothers and friends who endured horrors we can scarcely imagine. 'Their courage and sacrifice happened on the other side of the world, but the impact was felt in every town, village and street here at home. Today is about gratitude and saying, in the clearest way we can, 'we haven't forgotten you.' And as long as we keep coming together like this, we never will.' * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
