Enema of the State

Enema of the State is the third studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on June 1, 1999, by MCA Records. Blink-182 formed in Southern California, gaining an early fanbase with their fast tempos, catchy hooks, and trademark irreverence. The band gained greater visibility after releasing their second album, Dude Ranch (1997), which featured the modern rock hit "Dammit". For its follow-up, the band recruited veteran producer Jerry Finn, who became a key creative partner and an important figure in defining their sound. It also marked their first recording with drummer Travis Barker, whose speed, precision, and versatility helped elevate their musicianship.

Recorded across their hometown of San Diego and Los Angeles over three months, Enema of the State introduced a cleaner, more melodic approach that contrasted with the band's rawer early work. Finn's glossy production emphasized tight arrangements, bright harmonies, and a polished pop sensibility that would become emblematic of mainstream pop-punk. Guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus primarily culled stories from friends and autobiographical situations to craft summer-related tracks revolving around teenage breakups, suburban parties and maturity, as well as more offbeat subject matter such as UFO conspiracy theories. The cover art famously features adult film actress Janine Lindemulder in a nurse uniform; the title is a pun on the term enemy of the state.

Upon release, Enema of the State was a huge commercial hit, though some critics viewed the band's radio-friendly sound and goofy image as a departure from classic punk. With more than 15 million copies sold globally, the album helped cement the band's status as one of the biggest rock acts of the new millennium. "What's My Age Again?", "All the Small Things", and "Adam's Song" became hit singles and MTV staples, generating heavy airplay. Widely regarded as a defining pop-punk record, Enema of the State has had a lasting impact on the genre and beyond; it helped reinvent the sound for a new generation and inspired countless artists, tributes, and accolades.

By 1997, Blink-182, consisting of Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Scott Raynor, began to receive mainstream exposure as their sophomore record, Dude Ranch, shipped gold and the lead single "Dammit" began to be added to rock radio playlists across the country. The band entered an extended period of touring beginning that summer, which included each date of the worldwide 1997 Vans Warped Tour, a lifestyle tour promoting skateboarding and punk rock music. The trio would only return to their home of San Diego, California for days at a time before striking out the next tour. "When we did our longest tour stretch, it was right when I started dating my fiancée," DeLonge, the band's guitarist and vocalist, said in 2001. "We were all new and in love, and I had to leave. It was just, 'Hey, I'll see you in nine months.' It was really hard." Hoppus felt increasingly lonely; while the other members had longtime girlfriends to return home to, Hoppus was single. In addition to the hefty touring schedule, the trio grew tired of other commitments, including interviews and TV appearances due to the success of "Dammit."

Desperate for a break, the overworked band began to argue and tensions formed. Raynor, who was at the center of this drama, had been commenting of his desire to attend college for years, and had been taking homework out with him on tour to try and complete his high school diploma. The tension came to a head in February 1998 as the band embarked on SnoCore, described as "a winter version of the Warped Tour." Sharing the stage with Primus, the band was enjoying more success than ever before, but the drama between the musicians had grown substantially. The band reached a low point when the band engaged in a fight on a Nebraska date after SnoCore's conclusion. Raynor would depart following SnoCore, and the ensemble recruited Travis Barker, drummer for the opening ska punk group The Aquabats, to fill in for Raynor. Barker, who had not had time to prepare or practice with the duo, learned the drum tracks for the 20-song setlist in only 45 minutes before the first show and performed them flawlessly thereafter. "I remember Travis rehearsing backstage for an hour or two, then playing with them during sound-check," said Adam Deibert of the Aquabats. "A few of us were standing behind the stage and vividly remember the feeling of this is the new Blink. We should have looked for a new drummer right then because it was obvious what band he belonged in." Shortly thereafter, the band embarked on a short minitour along the western coast, most notably Southern California, the band's favorite place to play. The tour ended with the band headlining a sold-out show at the Palladium in Hollywood, California, where the band had dreamed of performing for years. Raynor returned for the band's Palladium performance, but the band became increasingly uneasy and arguments grew worse. To offset personal issues and a "tragic loss," Raynor began to drink heavily and it began to affect the band's performances.

Following a largely successful Australian tour in the spring, Hoppus and DeLonge presented an ultimatum: quit drinking or go to an in-patient rehab. Raynor agreed to both and informed the band of his decision after taking the weekend to mull options. According to Raynor, he was fired through a phone call despite his agreement to rehab. Despite this, he felt no malice toward his former bandmates and later conceded they were "right" to fire him. The band would minimize the impact of the situation in future interviews and remained vague regarding his departure. Initial news reports explained that Raynor had "reportedly returned to school." DeLonge would later explain the drinking problem that led to his expulsion: "One show he dropped his sticks 10 times. It was so disturbing to see someone ruining himself." The addition of Barker inspired DeLonge and Hoppus to "play better" and keep up with their new member, whom DeLonge called "perfect."

Prior to developing the album, the band’s principal songwriters, Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus, had already begun composing new material. One early song that later appeared on Enema of the State was "Mutt". An initial version was recorded with the band's previous drummer, Scott Raynor. Inspired by DeLonge's surfer roommate Benji Weatherly, the track was created to accompany Weatherly's surf footage in the 1998 film The Show. Later that year, the band were approached about appearing in the raunchy teen comedy American Pie—a project whose irreverent tone closely aligned with the band's image.

For their cameo appearance, the group chose to revisit "Mutt", recording a second version with new drummer Travis Barker. For the session they enlisted producer Jerry Finn, a veteran figure in punk and alternative rock production. Finn had previously mixed Dookie by Green Day—a landmark commercial breakthrough for pop-punk—and had since worked with acts such as Rancid, Jawbreaker, and more. Satisfied with the outcome of the session, the band decided to bring Finn on to produce their next album. The remainder of the material for Enema of the State was developed throughout the band's tours that year, where early versions of songs such as "Dumpweed" and "Aliens Exist" were tested live. The first song they wrote with Barker in the band was "Dysentery Gary".