Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 boldly declares, ‘Bass players are the unsung heroes of music—we’re the glue that holds it all together.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: while many see bassists as just part of the rhythm section, Hoppus argues they’re the bridge between drums, guitar, and vocals, making them the heart of any band. And this is the part most people miss: without the bass, the music loses its soul.
Years ago, Hoppus lived a double life—rockstar by night, farmer by day. On a 25-acre farm in Somerset, he kept chickens named after characters from Blink-182 songs. Wendy, Holly, Josie—each had a story, though he admits, ‘I’ve forgotten the rest.’ But the real surprise? He also dabbled in beekeeping, harvesting up to 150 jars of honey per season. ‘It was the best honey I’ve ever tasted,’ he recalls. But don’t think it was all idyllic—managing hives while touring the world? Now that’s a balancing act.
And here’s a twist: Hoppus once owned a genuine Banksy, but sold it out of fear it would get damaged. ‘People would lean in with their wine glasses, asking, ‘Is that really a Banksy?’ The stress became too much,’ he explains. The sale wasn’t just about money—he donated part of the proceeds to hematology oncology research, a cause close to his heart after his own battle with cancer. His wife, a volunteer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, also directed funds to the Firefighters Association after the LA fires. But here’s the controversial part: he used some of the money to invest in up-and-coming artists. Is that a selfless act or a savvy business move? You decide.
Speaking of battles, Hoppus’s fight with cancer was nothing short of harrowing. Diagnosed with a rare form, his doctor gave him a stark choice: undergo R-CHOP chemotherapy, with only a 60% chance of survival. ‘It felt like being crushed from the inside out,’ he reveals. The steroids left him hyper-crazy, and the drugs burned like fire. Yet, he emerged on the other side, leaving us to wonder: Is he just lucky, or is there something more to his survival story?
When it comes to UFOs, Hoppus is more skeptical than his bandmate Tom DeLonge, who’s famously obsessed. ‘Tom would stay up all night on tour, staring at the sky, hoping to spot something,’ Hoppus laughs. While he doesn’t dismiss the possibility of extraterrestrial life, he finds conspiracy theories like the moon landing hoax or Kennedy’s assassination linked to lunar secrets ‘a bit crazy.’ But here’s the question: Are these theories truly far-fetched, or is there a grain of truth we’re missing?
Hoppus’s journey from a lonely military base kid to a skateboarding goth to a rockstar is nothing short of inspiring. ‘I felt like an outsider until I found my community,’ he shares. Dressed as Robert Smith from The Cure in the middle of the desert, he was determined to stand out. ‘I needed to plant my flag and say, ‘I’m not like the rest of you.’** But is individuality always a rebellion, or can it be a path to connection?
Even rockstars cry, and Hoppus admits to shedding tears on stage—a moment of vulnerability in front of thousands. When asked about his top bass players, he names Peter Hook, Simon Gallup, and the duo from Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. ‘Two bass players? Now that’s cool,’ he grins.
Turning to politics, Hoppus doesn’t hold back. ‘The state of the US right now? It’s confusing, not just for Americans but for the world,’ he says. Clickbait headlines and divisive narratives have made it hard to find the truth. But here’s the real question: Is the media to blame, or are we the ones feeding the frenzy?
Finally, the Oasis story—yes, it’s true. Liam Gallagher once walked into Blink-182’s dressing room and said, ‘You guys are the best I’ve seen in America.’ When asked if he liked their music, Liam replied, ‘No, I just think you’re cool.’ Is that a backhanded compliment or the ultimate rockstar validation?
Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir by Mark Hoppus is out now, and he’s speaking at Melbourne Recital Hall on March 19 and Sydney Opera House on March 21. Don’t miss the chance to hear more from the man who’s seen it all—and lived to tell the tale. But before you go, we want to hear from you: What’s your take on the role of bass players in music? And do you think conspiracy theories deserve more credit than we give them? Let us know in the comments!
