July 29, 2001: Close to 7,000 people spent the night with the music of Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker at Montage Mountain.
Blink-182 appeared at the Coors Light Amphitheater in support of its latest album, “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket.” The punk trio took to the stage following opening acts New Found Glory and Body Jar, starting its 90-minute set with its recent hit, “Rock Show.” The band followed that with “Dumpweed” and “M+M’s. ”
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- New Found Glory members Jordan Pundik, right, and Steve Klein perform before Blink-182 takes the stage Sunday, July 29, 2001 at Coors Light Amphitheater atMontage Mountain. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- Mark Hoppus, of Blink 182, performing at Montage Mountain on May 25, 2004. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
As some audience members crowd surfed or joined in the mosh pit, Blink-182 continued with hits such as “What’s My Age Again?,” “All the Small Things,” and “Adam’s Song.”
The band returned to Montage Mountain a few times over the years, next appearing in May 2004 with opening act Taking Back Sunday. This show featured a new way for concertgoers to get up to Montage: the Electric City Express. The free bus ride to the venue was sponsored by the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, Electric City, Rock 107 and Clear Channel Entertainment. Guests could board the bus at various locations throughout downtown Scranton to avoid the traffic coming and going at the concert.
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- Bob Lockner, James David, Dan Moraski, Brett Ritterbeck and Mark Lees, all from Scranton, took the Electric City Express from downtown Scranton to Montage Mountain for the Blink 182 concert on May 25, 2004. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- Bob Lockner, 23 from Scranton gives his ticket to driver Art Ware as he boards the Electric City Express bus, at the corner of Linden St and Adams Ave, on its way to the Blink 182 Concert on May 25, 2004. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- Kathleen Bolus and Tom Holland, both from Scranton, board the Electric City Express bus at the corner of North Washington and Spruce Street on their way to the Blink 182 Concert on May 25, 2004. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
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- An Electric City Express bus leaves the corner of North Washington and Spruce Street on its way to the Blink 182 Concert on May 25, 2004. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
Blink-182 returned 12 years later in August 2016 with bands A Day to Remember and All Time Low. This appearance featured its new vocalist and guitarist, Matt Skiba, who replaced longtime guitar player and vocalist DeLonge.
Fans in the mosh pit sing along to the lyrics during the Blink 182 concert at Montage on May 25, 2004. TIMES-TRIBUNE ARCHIVES
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
