Enema of the State
Encyclopedia
Enema of the State is the third studio album
by American pop punk
band Blink-182
. Recorded at various locations throughout California
with producer
Jerry Finn
, the album was first released on June 1, 1999 in the United States on MCA Records
. "What's My Age Again?
", "All the Small Things
" and "Adam's Song
" were released as singles, each highly successful.
The follow-up to the band's successful sophomore record, Dude Ranch
, the band booked multiple recording sessions to produce the album. Shortly before production began, the band fired original drummer Scott Raynor
, who was replaced by Travis Barker
. The band strived to achieve a cleaner sound in the studio than that of their previous efforts. The iconic album cover features porn star Janine Lindemulder
in a nurse uniform.
The highly anticipated record received positive reviews from professional music critics and was a major commercial success worldwide. It has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, making it the trio's highest selling album. In the years following the album's release, Enema of the State and its pervasive impact on music has allowed critics to regard it as a landmark pop punk album.
, Blink-182 embarked on multiple worldwide tours during 1997 and 1998. Midway through a U.S. tour in 1998, original drummer Scott Raynor
was asked to leave the band. Various conflicting reasons have circulated the Internet for years; a largely popular explanation is that Raynor had a serious drinking problem and was asked to leave. When he agreed to abstaining from alcohol, bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge doubted his sincerity and he was fired from the band through a telephone call.
In a 2004 interview, Hoppus described the touring for Dude Ranch as "rough", with DeLonge adding "That was the worst tour ever. At that time, our drummer had a drinking problem. One show he dropped his sticks 10 times. It was so disturbing to see someone ruining himself." Raynor, in a 2004 interview with AbsolutePunk, stated the reason for his departure was his desire to stay in a small non-mainstream band against the increasing popularity Blink-182 was achieving.
The first news report of the departure occurred on July 14, 1998, with the explanation being that Raynor had "reportedly returned to school." Hoppus and DeLonge asked drummer Travis Barker
of Blink-182's support band The Aquabats
to fill in for Raynor for the remainder of the tour. He was later offered the position of a full-time drummer and consequently left The Aquabats. Barker learned the entire setlist of the tour (which consisted of 20 songs), in only one day.
ed between 1998 and 1999 with Raynor's replacement Travis Barker
. The band entered the studio officially in October 1998 to begin work on the album. While recording Enema of the State, Mark Hoppus
predominantly used an off-the-shelf Fender
Precision Bass he later named "Petey" as well as the Ernie Ball
Musicman Stingray basses he had used with the band prior to recording the album. The Stingray bass can be heard on both "Dumpweed" and "Mutt". Tom DeLonge
used Gibson Les Paul
guitars, a Custom Fender Telecaster Junior, and his signature Fender Stratocaster. The album was produced by Jerry Finn
, who would also produce Blink-182’s later albums Take Off Your Pants and Jacket
and Blink-182. Two tracks from the sessions were left off of the album: "Man Overboard", later re-recorded and released for The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!)
, and "Life's So Boring", an instrumental.
The band spent much more time in the studio than on previous records, allowing them to try many different things. The addition of Barker brought a new element to the group. DeLonge and Hoppus wrote the lyrics for the album, and Barker contributed to the music, co-writing the compositions. Blink-182 recorded a cover of Jan and Dean
's song "Dead Man's Curve
" during the recording sessions for Enema of the State; the song was included for the soundtrack of the CBS
television movie Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story. The album was released October 26, 1999. The band also recorded a studio version of their popular live joke song "Family Reunion" during the sessions of Enema of the State. The version can be found on the compilation album Short Music for Short People
.
. This was the band's first new release through the label; although the band’s sophomore effort, Dude Ranch, was distributed internationally through the company, its original release was through a smaller company (Cargo Music
). The explicit version was released on CD
and cassette
on June 1, a "clean" version (or edited version) did not debut on both formats until October 5, 1999. The original explicit version left off the standard Parental Advisory
sticker, which was added shortly thereafter the mistake was noticed. A digital version of both the explicit and clean versions of the album was released for online music services (iTunes
and Rhapsody
) in 2004. An Australian Tour edition of the album, featuring extra tracks and a separate disc of live material, was released in 2000.
The album was released as an Enhanced CD
featuring a bonus music video and web links. The album was released on vinyl format for the album’s tenth anniversary on December 1, 2009 by independent record label Mightier Than Sword Records, Since these releases, non-Mightier Than Sword releases have been found in Hot Topic
stores across the United States
.
Before production of the album officially began, Blink-182 was approached by crew members of the coming-of-age comedy film titled East Great Falls High to appear in a cameo for the film. The band was picked because of their appeal to the target audience of the film. The film was later re-titled American Pie
and was a huge commercial success the next year. The song "Mutt" from Enema of the State is featured on the film's soundtrack, and plays in a scene in which they are interrupted rehearsing to see a webcast
on a computer. Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker all feature in the scene, along with a fake extra band member, although Scott Raynor is listed in the movie credits. American Pie enjoyed critical success and has since been labeled a classic of the teen comedy
genre.
The band later appeared in the Two Guys and a Girl
episode "Au Revoir, Pizza Place", aired September 29, 1999. They are seen performing "What's My Age Again?" in the nude during a party at the pizza place. Hoppus and DeLonge played the duo Jan and Dean
in the CBS
television movie Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story in November 1999.
In addition to "Mutt" being released on the soundtrack for American Pie
, "Dumpweed" can be heard on the soundtrack to Jailbait!, a 2000 television film broadcast on MTV
. In addition to the singles being released for multiple music video game
s, the album track "Aliens Exist" was included as part of the setlist of Lego Rock Band
.
, Mark Hoppus
, and Travis Barker
included. The only person fully clothed is a midget
, pointing at Hoppus. The images were replicated for the gatefold packaging of the vinyl release in 2009.
Porn star Janine Lindemulder
is the nurse famously depicted on the cover of Enema
of the State. The cover shoot for the album was held March 12, 1999. She is also featured in the music videos for "What's My Age Again?
" and "Man Overboard". The original version of the album (without the Parental Advisory
sticker, as mentioned in the previous section) featured Lindemulder in a nurse cap displaying the American Red Cross
logo. The Red Cross was removed and digitally edited out of all further printings, however, some Canadian pressings still feature the red cross intact and these versions are soon to become rare.
" was released in November 1999, reaching number two; "All the Small Things
" was released in January 2000, becoming Blink-182’s first number one; lastly, "Adam's Song
" was released in September 2000, charting also at number two.
A music video was made for each single released from the album. There have been rumors that there have been videos for "Going Away to College", "Aliens Exist" and "Mutt" among others. The "Going Away To College" music video is actually the introduction to The Urethra Chronicles
and in a recent interview with Mark Hoppus, on the fansite 44Disasters, he stated that a video was never made for "Mutt" or "Aliens Exist".
album chart, selling 110,000 copies in its first week. Early reports listed the album with a June 11 release date. The album sold nearly four times as fast than Dude Ranch, and continued to sell strongly throughout the summer, leading MCA Records marketing directors to predict the album would become platinum by fall. Enema of the State went platinum by August 1999; by summer 2000, the album had reached sales of 3.3 million. It has since achieved sales of 15 million worldwide.
magazine's reader's choice list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time, #34 on VH1
's Greatest Album Covers of All Time, and included in Blender magazine
's 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die.
Additional musicians
Artwork
Production
Singles
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band Blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
. Recorded at various locations throughout California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
with producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn was an American record producer. He was perhaps best known for his work with Blink-182, as well as Morrissey, AFI, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, MxPx, Rancid, Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring.-Death:...
, the album was first released on June 1, 1999 in the United States on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. "What's My Age Again?
What's My Age Again?
"What's My Age Again?" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the first single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
", "All the Small Things
All the Small Things
"All the Small Things" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the second single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
" and "Adam's Song
Adam's Song
"Adam's Song" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182, from their third album Enema of the State, the album largely credited for the band's success. It was released as the third and final CD single from the album behind "What's My Age Again?" and "All the Small Things" on September 5, 2000...
" were released as singles, each highly successful.
The follow-up to the band's successful sophomore record, Dude Ranch
Dude Ranch (album)
Dude Ranch is the second studio album by American punk band Blink-182. Recorded at Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California with producer Mark Trombino, the album was first released on June 17, 1997 in the United States on independent label Cargo Music...
, the band booked multiple recording sessions to produce the album. Shortly before production began, the band fired original drummer Scott Raynor
Scott Raynor
Scott William Raynor, Jr. is an American drummer best known for being a founding member of the band Blink-182.-Personal life:...
, who was replaced by Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
. The band strived to achieve a cleaner sound in the studio than that of their previous efforts. The iconic album cover features porn star Janine Lindemulder
Janine Lindemulder
Janine Marie Lindemulder , also known as Janine Marie James, is an American exotic dancer and adult film actress, best known for her work in American pornographic films during the mid-1990s and a 2004–2005 comeback...
in a nurse uniform.
The highly anticipated record received positive reviews from professional music critics and was a major commercial success worldwide. It has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, making it the trio's highest selling album. In the years following the album's release, Enema of the State and its pervasive impact on music has allowed critics to regard it as a landmark pop punk album.
Origins
After the success of their previous album, Dude RanchDude Ranch (album)
Dude Ranch is the second studio album by American punk band Blink-182. Recorded at Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California with producer Mark Trombino, the album was first released on June 17, 1997 in the United States on independent label Cargo Music...
, Blink-182 embarked on multiple worldwide tours during 1997 and 1998. Midway through a U.S. tour in 1998, original drummer Scott Raynor
Scott Raynor
Scott William Raynor, Jr. is an American drummer best known for being a founding member of the band Blink-182.-Personal life:...
was asked to leave the band. Various conflicting reasons have circulated the Internet for years; a largely popular explanation is that Raynor had a serious drinking problem and was asked to leave. When he agreed to abstaining from alcohol, bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge doubted his sincerity and he was fired from the band through a telephone call.
In a 2004 interview, Hoppus described the touring for Dude Ranch as "rough", with DeLonge adding "That was the worst tour ever. At that time, our drummer had a drinking problem. One show he dropped his sticks 10 times. It was so disturbing to see someone ruining himself." Raynor, in a 2004 interview with AbsolutePunk, stated the reason for his departure was his desire to stay in a small non-mainstream band against the increasing popularity Blink-182 was achieving.
The first news report of the departure occurred on July 14, 1998, with the explanation being that Raynor had "reportedly returned to school." Hoppus and DeLonge asked drummer Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
of Blink-182's support band The Aquabats
The Aquabats
The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California. They have released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. They are best known for their mythology, in which they claim to be superheroes on a quest to save the world from evil through music...
to fill in for Raynor for the remainder of the tour. He was later offered the position of a full-time drummer and consequently left The Aquabats. Barker learned the entire setlist of the tour (which consisted of 20 songs), in only one day.
Recording
Tracks for Enema of the State were demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
ed between 1998 and 1999 with Raynor's replacement Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
. The band entered the studio officially in October 1998 to begin work on the album. While recording Enema of the State, Mark Hoppus
Mark Hoppus
Mark Allan Hoppus is an American musician, record producer, and television host. He is the bass guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists of the pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the bass guitarist and lead vocalist of the alternative rock band +44. He is a co-founder of both bands...
predominantly used an off-the-shelf Fender
Fender
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
Precision Bass he later named "Petey" as well as the Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball was an American entrepreneur, musician, and innovator, widely acclaimed as a revolutionary in the development of guitar-related products. He began as a club and local television musician and small business entrepreneur, building an international business in guitars and accessories that...
Musicman Stingray basses he had used with the band prior to recording the album. The Stingray bass can be heard on both "Dumpweed" and "Mutt". Tom DeLonge
Tom DeLonge
Thomas Matthew "Tom" DeLonge, Jr. is an American rock musician. He is the guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists for the American pop punk band Blink-182 as well as the guitarist and lead vocalist for the alternative band Angels & Airwaves...
used Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
guitars, a Custom Fender Telecaster Junior, and his signature Fender Stratocaster. The album was produced by Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn
Jerry Finn was an American record producer. He was perhaps best known for his work with Blink-182, as well as Morrissey, AFI, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, MxPx, Rancid, Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring.-Death:...
, who would also produce Blink-182’s later albums Take Off Your Pants and Jacket
Take off Your Pants and Jacket
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket is the fourth studio album by the American pop punk band Blink-182. Produced by Jerry Finn, the album was released on June 12, 2001 through MCA Records. Blink-182, after the massive commercial success of their previous album, Enema of the State, entered the studio in...
and Blink-182. Two tracks from the sessions were left off of the album: "Man Overboard", later re-recorded and released for The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!)
The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!)
The Mark, Tom and Travis Show is the first and only live album by the American pop punk band Blink-182. Produced by Jerry Finn, the album was released on November 7, 2000 through MCA Records...
, and "Life's So Boring", an instrumental.
The band spent much more time in the studio than on previous records, allowing them to try many different things. The addition of Barker brought a new element to the group. DeLonge and Hoppus wrote the lyrics for the album, and Barker contributed to the music, co-writing the compositions. Blink-182 recorded a cover of Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean were a rock and roll duo, popular from the late 1950s through the mid 1960s, consisting of William Jan Berry and Dean Ormsby Torrence...
's song "Dead Man's Curve
Dead Man's Curve (song)
"Dead Man's Curve" is a 1964 hit song by Jan and Dean detailing a teen street race gone awry. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart....
" during the recording sessions for Enema of the State; the song was included for the soundtrack of the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television movie Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story. The album was released October 26, 1999. The band also recorded a studio version of their popular live joke song "Family Reunion" during the sessions of Enema of the State. The version can be found on the compilation album Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People
Short Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
.
Release and promotion
The album was released on June 1, 1999 through MCA RecordsMCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. This was the band's first new release through the label; although the band’s sophomore effort, Dude Ranch, was distributed internationally through the company, its original release was through a smaller company (Cargo Music
Cargo Music
Cargo Music Inc. is a record label based in San Diego, California. It distributes records for other labels such as Cherry Red Records, Earth Music, FistPuppet Records, Grilled Cheese, Headhunter Records, Re-Constriction Records, RPM Records and Tackle Box. Notable artists that have been signed to...
). The explicit version was released on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
and cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
on June 1, a "clean" version (or edited version) did not debut on both formats until October 5, 1999. The original explicit version left off the standard Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory is a message affixed by the Recording Industry Association of America to audio and recordings in the United States containing excessive use of profane language and/or sexual references. Albums began to be labeled for "explicit lyrics" in 1985, after pressure from the Parents...
sticker, which was added shortly thereafter the mistake was noticed. A digital version of both the explicit and clean versions of the album was released for online music services (iTunes
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
and Rhapsody
Rhapsody (online music service)
Rhapsody is an online music store subscription service, launched in December 2001, and available in the United States only. On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody officially declared its independence from RealNetworks. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Helix, Rhapsody's version...
) in 2004. An Australian Tour edition of the album, featuring extra tracks and a separate disc of live material, was released in 2000.
The album was released as an Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD
Enhanced CD, also known as CD Extra and CD Plus, is a certification mark of the Recording Industry Association of America for various technologies that combine audio and computer data for use in both Compact Disc and CD-ROM players....
featuring a bonus music video and web links. The album was released on vinyl format for the album’s tenth anniversary on December 1, 2009 by independent record label Mightier Than Sword Records, Since these releases, non-Mightier Than Sword releases have been found in Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
stores across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Before production of the album officially began, Blink-182 was approached by crew members of the coming-of-age comedy film titled East Great Falls High to appear in a cameo for the film. The band was picked because of their appeal to the target audience of the film. The film was later re-titled American Pie
American Pie (film)
American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
and was a huge commercial success the next year. The song "Mutt" from Enema of the State is featured on the film's soundtrack, and plays in a scene in which they are interrupted rehearsing to see a webcast
Webcast
A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand...
on a computer. Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker all feature in the scene, along with a fake extra band member, although Scott Raynor is listed in the movie credits. American Pie enjoyed critical success and has since been labeled a classic of the teen comedy
Teen film
Teen films is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst, and alienation...
genre.
The band later appeared in the Two Guys and a Girl
Two Guys and a Girl
Two Guys and a Girl is an American sitcom created by Kenny Schwartz and Danny Jacobson. It ran on ABC from March 10, 1998 to May 16, 2001. 81 episodes were transmitted over four seasons....
episode "Au Revoir, Pizza Place", aired September 29, 1999. They are seen performing "What's My Age Again?" in the nude during a party at the pizza place. Hoppus and DeLonge played the duo Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean were a rock and roll duo, popular from the late 1950s through the mid 1960s, consisting of William Jan Berry and Dean Ormsby Torrence...
in the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television movie Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story in November 1999.
In addition to "Mutt" being released on the soundtrack for American Pie
American Pie (film)
American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
, "Dumpweed" can be heard on the soundtrack to Jailbait!, a 2000 television film broadcast on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. In addition to the singles being released for multiple music video game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
s, the album track "Aliens Exist" was included as part of the setlist of Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band is a music video game and part of the Rock Band series developed by Harmonix Music Systems, but also incorporates elements from other Lego video games as developed by Traveller's Tales. The game is published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games...
.
Artwork
The album artwork for the album consists of three simple and bright colors: red, white, and blue. A hospital and medicine theme is sported throughout the album liner notes and artwork. The lyrics are present in the liner notes, keeping in line with all previous Blink-182 albums. A portion of the enclosed booklet with the album features a panorama of men posing in just underwear – Blink-182 members Tom DeLongeTom DeLonge
Thomas Matthew "Tom" DeLonge, Jr. is an American rock musician. He is the guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists for the American pop punk band Blink-182 as well as the guitarist and lead vocalist for the alternative band Angels & Airwaves...
, Mark Hoppus
Mark Hoppus
Mark Allan Hoppus is an American musician, record producer, and television host. He is the bass guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists of the pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the bass guitarist and lead vocalist of the alternative rock band +44. He is a co-founder of both bands...
, and Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
included. The only person fully clothed is a midget
Midget
A midget is a short person with relatively average bodily proportions in comparison with other human beings. The term is often improperly used to describe a person with the medical condition dwarfism. The two terms are often used synonymously because both terms originate as words defining small...
, pointing at Hoppus. The images were replicated for the gatefold packaging of the vinyl release in 2009.
Porn star Janine Lindemulder
Janine Lindemulder
Janine Marie Lindemulder , also known as Janine Marie James, is an American exotic dancer and adult film actress, best known for her work in American pornographic films during the mid-1990s and a 2004–2005 comeback...
is the nurse famously depicted on the cover of Enema
Enema
An enema is the procedure of introducing liquids into the rectum and colon via the anus. The increasing volume of the liquid causes rapid expansion of the lower intestinal tract, often resulting in very uncomfortable bloating, cramping, powerful peristalsis, a feeling of extreme urgency and...
of the State. The cover shoot for the album was held March 12, 1999. She is also featured in the music videos for "What's My Age Again?
What's My Age Again?
"What's My Age Again?" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the first single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
" and "Man Overboard". The original version of the album (without the Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory
Parental Advisory is a message affixed by the Recording Industry Association of America to audio and recordings in the United States containing excessive use of profane language and/or sexual references. Albums began to be labeled for "explicit lyrics" in 1985, after pressure from the Parents...
sticker, as mentioned in the previous section) featured Lindemulder in a nurse cap displaying the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
logo. The Red Cross was removed and digitally edited out of all further printings, however, some Canadian pressings still feature the red cross intact and these versions are soon to become rare.
Singles
Three singles were released in support of the album, all of which charted on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart: "What's My Age Again?What's My Age Again?
"What's My Age Again?" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the first single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
" was released in November 1999, reaching number two; "All the Small Things
All the Small Things
"All the Small Things" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the second single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
" was released in January 2000, becoming Blink-182’s first number one; lastly, "Adam's Song
Adam's Song
"Adam's Song" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182, from their third album Enema of the State, the album largely credited for the band's success. It was released as the third and final CD single from the album behind "What's My Age Again?" and "All the Small Things" on September 5, 2000...
" was released in September 2000, charting also at number two.
A music video was made for each single released from the album. There have been rumors that there have been videos for "Going Away to College", "Aliens Exist" and "Mutt" among others. The "Going Away To College" music video is actually the introduction to The Urethra Chronicles
The Urethra Chronicles
The Urethra Chronicles is a 1999 documentary film starring the American pop punk band Blink-182. The film, directed by former manager Rick DeVoe, is a behind the scenes look at the band's history featuring their usual toilet humor. The documentary includes exclusive live performance footage and...
and in a recent interview with Mark Hoppus, on the fansite 44Disasters, he stated that a video was never made for "Mutt" or "Aliens Exist".
Reception
Commercial performance
Upon Enema of the States release on June 1, 1999, Enema of the State debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart, selling 110,000 copies in its first week. Early reports listed the album with a June 11 release date. The album sold nearly four times as fast than Dude Ranch, and continued to sell strongly throughout the summer, leading MCA Records marketing directors to predict the album would become platinum by fall. Enema of the State went platinum by August 1999; by summer 2000, the album had reached sales of 3.3 million. It has since achieved sales of 15 million worldwide.
Critical reception and legacy
It was ranked at #1 in Top40’s Top 10 Punk-Pop Albums of All Time list, #66 on Guitar WorldGuitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
magazine's reader's choice list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time, #34 on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's Greatest Album Covers of All Time, and included in Blender magazine
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
's 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die.
Track listing
Personnel
Blink-182- Mark HoppusMark HoppusMark Allan Hoppus is an American musician, record producer, and television host. He is the bass guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists of the pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the bass guitarist and lead vocalist of the alternative rock band +44. He is a co-founder of both bands...
– vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Tom DeLongeTom DeLongeThomas Matthew "Tom" DeLonge, Jr. is an American rock musician. He is the guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists for the American pop punk band Blink-182 as well as the guitarist and lead vocalist for the alternative band Angels & Airwaves...
– vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Travis BarkerTravis BarkerTravis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Additional musicians
- Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on "What's My Age Again?What's My Age Again?"What's My Age Again?" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the first single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
", "Adam's SongAdam's Song"Adam's Song" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182, from their third album Enema of the State, the album largely credited for the band's success. It was released as the third and final CD single from the album behind "What's My Age Again?" and "All the Small Things" on September 5, 2000...
", "All the Small ThingsAll the Small Things"All the Small Things" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the second single released from the band's third album Enema of the State...
", "Wendy Clear", and "Anthem"
Artwork
- Tim Stedman – art direction, design
- Keith Tamashiro – design
- David Goldman – photography
- Janine LindemulderJanine LindemulderJanine Marie Lindemulder , also known as Janine Marie James, is an American exotic dancer and adult film actress, best known for her work in American pornographic films during the mid-1990s and a 2004–2005 comeback...
– cover model
Production
- Jerry FinnJerry FinnJerry Finn was an American record producer. He was perhaps best known for his work with Blink-182, as well as Morrissey, AFI, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, MxPx, Rancid, Green Day, Sum 41 and The Offspring.-Death:...
– productionSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, mixing engineerAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
of "The Party Song" and "Wendy Clear" - Tom Lord-AlgeTom Lord-AlgeTom Lord-Alge is a four-time Grammy Award–winning record producer and mixer. He is the youngest of Vivian Lord's five children, Mark Lord-Alge, Lisa Lord-Alge, Chris Lord-Alge, Jeff Lord-Alge and Tom Lord-Alge...
- mixing engineer - Sean O'Dwyer – recording engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Darrel Harvey – assistant engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- John Nelson – assistant engineer
- Robert Read – assistant engineer
- Mike Fasano – drum technician
- Rick DeVoe – management
- Gary Ashley – A&R
- Brian GardnerBrian GardnerBrian Gardner, also known as Brian "Big Bass" Gardner is a mastering engineer. He has worked on countless recordings since the mid-1960s, including classic rock, funk, disco, alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, pop punk, and dance pop. He is perhaps best known for his work on hip hop albums and in...
– mastering engineerMastering engineerA mastering engineer is one skilled in the practice of taking audio that has been previously mixed in either the analog or digital domain as mono, stereo, or multichannel formats and preparing it for use in distribution, whether by physical media such as a CD, vinyl record, or as some method of...
Charts
Album| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Top Internet Albums | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 200 | 9 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
7 |
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
4 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
60 |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
18 |
| Irish Album Chart | 31 |
| Italian Albums Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
5 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
2 |
| Swiss Music Charts Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
13 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
15 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "What's My Age Again? What's My Age Again? "What's My Age Again?" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the first single released from the band's third album Enema of the State... " |
Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
58 |
| Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
2 | ||
| Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
19 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 28 | ||
| Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks is a defunct airplay chart from Billboard Magazine. It was created in 1998, when Billboard Magazine changed the airplay profile of The Hot 100 Airplay to include more R&B, Country, and Rock stations to its profile . To preserve the notion of the former chart, Top 40 Tracks was... |
40 | ||
| Adult Top 40 | 36 | ||
| "All the Small Things All the Small Things "All the Small Things" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182. It was the second single released from the band's third album Enema of the State... " |
Billboard Hot 100 | 6 | |
| Modern Rock Tracks | 1 | ||
| Top 40 Mainstream | 8 | ||
| 2000 | Top 40 Tracks | 17 | |
| Adult Top 40 | 29 | ||
| "Adam's Song Adam's Song "Adam's Song" is a song by American pop punk band Blink-182, from their third album Enema of the State, the album largely credited for the band's success. It was released as the third and final CD single from the album behind "What's My Age Again?" and "All the Small Things" on September 5, 2000... " |
Billboard Hot 100 | 101 | |
| Modern Rock Tracks | 2 | ||
| Canadian Alternative Songs RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
21 | ||
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
98 | ||
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
39 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
2x Platinum | 140,000+ |
| Canada Canadian Recording Industry Association Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada... |
4x Platinum | 400,000+ |
| Switzerland | Gold | 15,000+ |
| United Kingdom British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Platinum | 300,000+ |
| United States Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
5x Platinum | 5,000,000+ |