Who is the celebrity: Bassist and singer in the punk pop group Blink-182.

What gets discussed? The rise of a pop punk group from Southern California, band breakups and makeups, Hoppus’ cancer battle, and life on the road.

Are there pictures? This book contains more photos than any other biography I’ve read. Every chapter includes an image that corresponds to that specific time in the author’s life. This really helps the reader understand the author’s experiences during that period. Other memoir writers should take note.

Is Fahrenheit-182 Worth Your Time?

If you grew up a child of the 90’s you’ll remember the show ‘Behind the Music’ where bands gave their first-hand account of the rise, fall, and rise again of their success. While that show is no longer in production, Fahrenheit-182 successfully fills the gap ‘Behind the Music’ left.  This is for anyone who lived in the 90s, wants to relive the 90s, or is a fan of music. Hoppus puts the reader right into the heart of what it was like being popular when music videos were king, and TRL appearances were mandatory. 

Farenheight-182 does not disappoint when it comes to revelations about Mark and the band’s past. For example, did you know that Travis Barker was not the band’s original drummer? 

Music fans will truly enjoy this book. Some of the most poignant moments occur when Hoppus discusses the three singles from ‘Enema of the State’, especially the album’s most touching and personal track, ‘Adam’s Song.’ This song reflects Hoppus’ feelings of loneliness after returning from a long tour. The book also includes lighter moments, featuring band antics and shenanigans. As the band has been making music for over 20 years, ‘Fareighneigh-182’ chronicles the evolution of the music industry, from DIY and TRL to the more structured processes that dominate music creation today.

Hoppus appears to hold back out of respect for the participants, yet he strives to provide an evenhanded account of some of the challenges faced while working with his band. For instance, if you want to learn about what happened to the first drummer, Scott Raynor, who played on ‘Dude Ranch’ but left by the time ‘Enema of the State’ was released, Hoppus details the events that ultimately led to Raynor’s departure. While it’s clear that some tension still lingers over this event, Hoppas approaches the subject with maturity and aims to present a fair account of both sides of their dispute. 

Though band beefs were plenty, where Fahrenheit strikes an emotional chord was how truly close he and the guitarist Tom DeLonge are; this is a bromance for the age, and reminds readers that it really is important who you partner with. The writing team drove each other to be better, pushing past the creative limitations they would have achieved on their own.

I was sad when Fahrenheit ended. It was like spending time with my younger self trying to download my favourite song Dammit, but giving up after I couldn’t figure out how it was spelled. 

The only part of the book that I can’t figure out is the title. It alludes to Ray Bradbury’s novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’, which is the temperature at which books burn. This dystopian novel depicts a society where books are burned rather than read. However, the author doesn’t mention Bradbury or explore the dystopian aspects of society. I thought that would have been interesting to read about, but it seems the title primarily reflects the author’s sense of humor.

Photo Credit: Harper Collins and Dey Street Books