Mark Hoppus Says Violent Soho Are Getting Back Together
During a stop on his candid “Fahrenheit-182” storytelling tour at the iconic Sydney Opera House on March 21, blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus shared a revelation that has sent waves of excitement through the Australian alternative rock scene: Brisbane favorites Violent Soho are officially reuniting.
A Surprise Reunion Announcement
Hoppus, who has long been a vocal champion of the Australian band, dropped the bombshell mid-show. To the delight of the audience, he invited Violent Soho frontman Luke Boerdam and guitarist James Tidswell to the stage for a rare, acoustic rendition of the blink-182 classic “Dammit.” Before the chords even rang out, Hoppus addressed the crowd with characteristic bluntness: “I wasn’t joking by the way, they really are getting back together.”
The performance was a significant moment for fans, marking the first time the two musicians had shared a stage together since the band’s final concert at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on September 10, 2022. While neither Boerdam nor Tidswell offered additional commentary on the night, the weight of the announcement has naturally ignited intense speculation regarding future tour dates or new material.
The Significance of WACO’s Tenth Anniversary
The timing of this news feels far from coincidental. March 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of WACO, the band’s breakout fourth studio album. The record, which cemented their status as a cornerstone of the decade’s guitar-driven music, debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Its impact was so profound that all six singles made the cut for that year’s triple j Hottest 100 countdown.
Tracks such as “Viceroy,” “Like Soda,” and “Blanket” remain anthems for a generation of fans. In a recent statement regarding a newly announced limited-edition vinyl reissue of the album, the band reflected on the creative intensity of that period: “When we made WACO we weren’t thinking about anniversaries or legacy, we were just trying to capture where the band was after years of touring… We created some awesome memories in the studio and really tried to push our sound further.”
A Longstanding Mutual Respect
The bond between Mark Hoppus and Violent Soho is deep-rooted. Hoppus first publicly professed his fandom in 2014, specifically highlighting the sheer power of their breakthrough single, “Covered in Chrome.” The two acts eventually crossed paths in a professional capacity at the 2019 Good Things Festival, where Hoppus was touring with his side project, Simple Creatures.
Hoppus’ Australian tour has been characterized by these collaborative “pinch-me” moments. In Melbourne just days prior, he teamed up with singer-songwriter MAY-A to perform “Dammit” alongside a snippet of their 2018 collaborative track, “Psycho.” As the “Fahrenheit-182” tour prepares to conclude in Auckland next week, fans are left wondering if this reunion is the start of a permanent return for one of Australia’s most beloved rock exports.
