Boxcar Racer

As if touring the world, racking up hit single after hit single, getting married and enduring back surgery isn’t enough to fill his time, blink-182’s Tom DeLonge spent his few free moments writing and recording material for a side-project named Box Car Racer, which will be released by MCA Records on May, 14, 2002.

Says DeLonge, "This record is directly influenced by the bands that mean the most to me – Fugazi, Refused, and, of course, blink-182. It’s a tribute to the music that made me want to be in a band in the first place."

DeLonge wrote all the material, played both lead guitar and bass, and sang on the yet to be titled album. Rounding out the band is blink-182 drummer Travis barker (who also lends arrangements to the album), and Dave Kennedy, from punk band, Over My Dead Body, on rhythm guitar. A bass player will be selected shortly for the band’s live performances. Additionally, Mark Hoppus, the final third of blink-182, lends his voice to one track on the album. Explains DeLonge, "Mark is really supportive (of Box Car) and having his vocals on it means a lot to me."

Box Car Racer, who began recording in December, is currently in post-production at San Diego’s Signature Sound. Barker’s drums tracks were recorded at LA’s Larabee East, the rest of the album was recorded at Signature Sound. Jerry Finn, who has produced the last three blink-182 records (as well as CDs from Green Day, Sum-41, etc.) took the helm for Box Car Racer.

blink-182, will be hitting the road this spring/summer on the "Pop Disaster Tour" which they will co-headline with Green Day (Jimmy Eat World opening). Prior to “Pop Disaster,” Box Car Racer will schedule a run of live shows. DeLonge enthuses, "We’ll be playing smaller venues then Travis and I have played in a long time. This is going to be really fun. Kids are going to be stoked and so are we."