Local son is ‘No. 1’

Ridgecrest native tops Billboard 200 with release of ‘California’

Rebecca Neipp

News Review Staff Writer

While the Indian Wells Valley has seen its share of natives move on to great musical acclaim and achievement, the title for commercial success arguably goes to 1990 Burroughs High School graduate Mark Hoppus, who fronts the hugely popular California punk band Blink-182.

The band’s latest release, “California,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts earlier this week, thrilling fans with a return to the catchy sounds and provocative lyrics that made the band a household name in the late 1990s.

But despite the punk icon’s rise to celebrity, longtime resident Tex Hoppus still thinks of his son as the bright, energetic, down-to-earth son he raised in our high-desert community.

Even amid the normalcy of his childhood, though, Mark showed modest hints at local celebrity, with his classmates voting him “Best Hair” and his likeness appearing on the popular Glen Covert-era menus at John’s Pizza.

Tex traced his son’s piqued musical interest to the purchase of his first guitar during the summer between his sophomore and junior years of high school.

“I had a project that I asked him to help with, and I told him he could chose how he wanted to be repaid. He asked for a Fender bass guitar and a small amp. I offered to get him lessons, but he said he wanted to try and teach himself — and he did!”

Tex said he could not take genetic credit for his son’s innate talent. “When he was a boy, he and I would sing Neil Diamond songs together. I can’t say that added to his musical prowess, but that’s the closest it involves me.”

Mark played with a local group while was in Ridgecrest, and formed a new one once he moved to San Diego to attend college. “At that time, he had plans to get a degree in teaching.”

A representative of a small music label heard Mark and his band perform and was impressed by their connection to the audience. The rep began to promote them and find larger performance venues. That eventually attracted the attention of MCA — a major label that purchased the band’s contract.

Mark “called me up and said he was going to have an opportunity to travel with the band, and he knew he couldn’t do that and keep up with classes,” recalled Tex.

“I said, ‘This is a dream we all have — absolutely you should go. College will be here when you return.”

The band leapt into a rigorous rehearsing, performing and recording schedule, which yielded little payoff at first. But with the 1999 release of “Enema of the State,” which went platinum, the band skyrocked into popular culture, leaving an indelible mark that has seen them compared to “The Beatles of pop-punk” and “The quintessential California band.”

Mark still occasionally returns to his home town, most recently to participate in the 70th anniversary of the Historic USO Building.

“I asked him and his family, as well as my daughter and her family, if they would attend,” said Tex, who is president of the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, the organization that owns the building. “Mark said he wanted to do more.”

Mark unveiled a guitar that has traveled the world with him, and been signed by himself and his bandmates, that will be put up for auction with the proceeds benefiting HSUMD.

Blink-182 is currently touring the U.S. and Canada in conjunction with its latest album release. Between tours Mark makes his home with his wife and son in Beverly Hills.

“More than anything, he has remained grounded. He is a good father, a good husband, and has a good head for business,” said Tex. “As a musician he is articulate, charismatic and genuinely connected to his audience.

“Of course to me, Dad, he still is and always will be the boy who would take a pillowcase and run out and catch lizards in the desert with his friends.”

Pictured: Mark Hoppus holds a world-traveled bass he presented at the 70th anniversary celebration of the Historic USO?Building. Also pictured are Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert President Tex Hoppus (center) and ?Boardmember Matthew Zubia. -- Photo by Laura Austin

Story First Published: 2016-07-15