Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers Episode: MARK HOPPUS Thinks Camping Sucks
Release Date: April 8, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers, hosts Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers welcome Mark Hoppus, best known as the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the iconic band Blink-182. The conversation delves into Mark's childhood memories, family dynamics, his recent foray into writing, and his adventurous spirit that extends beyond music.

Guest Introduction: Mark Hoppus

[08:20]
Seth Meyers opens the dialogue warmly, immediately establishing a connection with Mark:

Mark Hoppus: "Hey, hey, hey. Hello."

Mark responds with the same enthusiasm, setting a friendly tone for the episode.

Early Family Trips and Memories

Mark shares vivid recollections of his early family trips, highlighting the adventurous nature of his upbringing.

[13:29]
He recounts an incident that left a lasting impression:

Mark Hoppus: "We came back and our truck was stolen... We never caught them. And we were stranded in Boston with all of our toys and clothes and everything gone as small children."

This experience underscored the unpredictable nature of family adventures and the resilience required from a young age.

Parental Divorce and Sibling Relationship

The discussion shifts to Mark's family dynamics, particularly the impact of his parents' divorce on his relationship with his sister.

[17:12]
Mark describes the closeness with his sister and how their bond was tested and ultimately strengthened through challenging times:

Mark Hoppus: "We were best friends growing up... We regained our friendship when we were teenagers."

He emphasizes the supportive role his sister played in his musical journey:

Mark Hoppus: "She was the reason that I'm in Blink 182 because she was dating a guy who introduced me to Tom, our guitarist."

Mark’s Book and Writing Process

Mark discusses his recently published book, Fahrenheit 182, offering insights into his motivations and the writing process.

[60:05]
He reflects on the challenges of documenting his experiences:

Mark Hoppus: "The hardest thing about writing the book was thinking that anyone would care in the first place... But I love Blink, and I love Tom and Travis so much that I wanted to tell the story of Blink 182."

Mark highlights his commitment to fairness and understanding in his storytelling:

Mark Hoppus: "I tried very hard in the book to make things even handed... It made me think about old arguments from the other person."

Early Tour Experiences and Vehicles

Mark reminisces about Blink-182’s humble beginnings on the road, emphasizing the camaraderie and challenges faced.

[37:41]
He describes their initial dreams versus reality:

Mark Hoppus: "We envisioned getting this amazing touring van... But we went to the dealership and all they had was this white sport van... We toured that thing into the dirt. It was trash by the time we were done with it. It was awesome."

This anecdote underscores the band's resourcefulness and passion during their formative years.

Scuba Diving and Adventures

Mark's adventurous spirit extends beyond music into scuba diving, a passion that has taken him to some of the world's most remote locations.

[53:08]
He shares his deep dive experiences:

Mark Hoppus: "I ended up doing 200 dives in the first year... We went everywhere, dove wrecks, and lots of cool sharks."

Despite his enthusiasm, Mark candidly admits his limits:

Mark Hoppus: "After diving the Andrea Doria and losing a friend, I decided I wanted to focus on seeing cool fish rather than deep, technical dives."

Recent Family Trips and Experiences

Mark talks about recent extraordinary trips with his family, highlighting his reluctance towards traditional camping but embracing unique adventures.

[48:14]
One standout trip was an expedition to Antarctica:

Mark Hoppus: "We took him to Antarctica when he was six years old... People thought we were crazy to bring our six-year-old on this boat across the Drake Passage in 40-foot seas."

He describes the harrowing yet rewarding journey:

Mark Hoppus: "Three-day passage in 40-foot seas with 70-mile-per-hour winds... We saw penguins and amazing landscapes."

Mark emphasizes the bonding and unforgettable experiences despite his son's limited memory of the trip.

Conclusion and Final Discussions

The episode wraps up with light-hearted questions from Josh Meyers, allowing Mark to share personal preferences and humorous anecdotes about family and travel.

[63:23]
One notable response:

Mark Hoppus: "If I could take a vacation with any family ever, I would love to go on the Oregon Trail."

Mark also humorously critiques his hometown:

[64:34]
Mark Hoppus: "Absolutely not [Ridgecrest as a vacation destination]. It is in the middle of the desert... The only reason that the city is there at all is because the Navy has a military base."

Notable Quotes

• Mark Hoppus on Trucker Theft:
  "[13:29] We came back and our truck was stolen... Stranded in Boston with all of our toys and clothes gone as small children."

• Mark Hoppus on Writing His Book:
  "[60:05] The hardest thing about writing the book was thinking that anyone would care in the first place... But I love Blink, and I love Tom and Travis so much that I wanted to tell the story of Blink 182."

• Mark Hoppus on Touring Vans:
  "[37:41] We toured that thing into the dirt. It was trash by the time we were done with it. It was awesome."

• Mark Hoppus on Scuba Diving:
  "[53:08] I ended up doing 200 dives in the first year... We dove wrecks and lots of cool sharks."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a deep dive into Mark Hoppus's life beyond music, revealing the complexities of his family relationships, personal adventures, and the creative processes behind his recent endeavors. Guests and listeners alike gain a multifaceted understanding of Mark's character, underscored by humor, resilience, and an unyielding spirit of adventure.

Note: Advertisements, sponsorship messages, and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.