Mark Hoppus’s Memoir Reveals Surprising Encounter with Robert Smith

In his recently released memoir titled 182 Fahrenheit, Mark Hoppus, the famed bassist and vocalist of Blink-182, shares an intriguing anecdote involving Robert Smith of The Cure, one of his significant musical inspirations.

A Memorable Evening at Wembley Arena

The story unfolds after a concert at Wembley Arena in 2004, where Blink-182 had the honor of collaborating with Smith on their song “all.” Following the performance, the band hosted an after-party where an unexpected moment took place.

Unexpected Affection

During the after-party, as recounted by Hoppus in an interview with US Weekly, Robert Smith leaned in and attempted to kiss him. Hoppus recalls, “My wife and I say, ‘It’s okay, we’re off, we’ll see you later,’ and Robert tries to kiss me.” Hoppus described Smith as a childhood hero whose music profoundly influenced his life.

Reflections on the Incident

In light of this incident, Hoppus expressed that he did not inform Smith beforehand that this moment would be included in his book. “I should have called him or given him some kind of warning or something,” said Hoppus. He noted the awkwardness of addressing it by jokingly suggesting, “Hey, do you remember when you tried to have me?”

A Friendly Relationship Since

Despite the unanticipated kiss, Hoppus mentioned that his interactions with Smith have remained amicable, stating, “It’s totally cool and no one’s talking about it.” He emphasized that he was never upset, pointing out that the incident was private, only witnessed by a few road crew members.

About the Memoir

182 Fahrenheit, published on April 8, 2023, delves into various aspects of Hoppus’s life, including his battle with cancer, family dynamics, and the enduring friendship with his Blink-182 bandmate Tom DeLonge. The reunion of the iconic trio was marked by their latest album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in October 2023, the group’s first release with its classic lineup since 2011.

Upcoming Tour Plans

As they gear up for their upcoming tour, Blink-182 will be joined by punk rock peers Alkaline Trio, who previously collaborated with Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker on albums during the band’s hiatus from 2015 to 2022. Ticket sales for the tour will commence at 10 AM local time on Friday, April 11, with early access available from 12 PM on April 10 until 1 PM local time.