Blink‑182 – Cheshire Cat (1995): Pop Punk’s Origins and a Classic Debut
Cheshire Cat is the debut studio album by American punk rock trio Blink‑182, released on February 17, 1995 through independent label Cargo Music (also Grilled Cheese). The record captures the youthful energy and raw sound that helped define 1990s punk rock, particularly pop punk and skate punk, and set the stage for the band’s later mainstream success.
Recorded primarily at Westbeach Recorders in Los Angeles on a tight budget with producer Otis Barthoulameu (also known simply as O), the album reflects the band’s early influences in punk and DIY ethos, while still showcasing the catchy melodies and irreverent humour that would become trademarks of Blink‑182’s music.
🎸 What Cheshire Cat Sounds Like
Musically, Cheshire Cat blends fast‑paced pop punk and skate punk, with short, punchy songs about teenage life — relationships, humour, awkwardness, and irreverence — often delivered with a mix of wit and raw sincerity.
The album runs for roughly 42 minutes and features 16 tracks including early fan favourites that would remain staples in the band’s live sets.
Original Tracklist Highlights: (16 songs)
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Carousel
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M+M’s
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Fentoozler
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Touchdown Boy
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Strings
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Peggy Sue
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Sometimes
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Does My Breath Smell?
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Wasting Time
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Ben Wah Balls
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Depends
Singles like “M+M’s” and “Wasting Time” received modest radio airplay and helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase within the Southern California punk and skate scene.
🧑🎤 Mini Band Bio: Blink‑182
Blink‑182 formed in 1992 in Poway, California, emerging from the local punk scene with high‑energy performances and humorous, relatable lyrics. The core lineup on Cheshire Cat consisted of:
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Tom DeLonge – guitar, vocals
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Mark Hoppus – bass, vocals
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Scott Raynor – drums
The band earned early attention through three demos — Flyswatter, Demo #2, and Buddha — which laid the foundation for their signing with Cargo Music. Cheshire Cat marks their first official full‑length release.
Shortly after the album’s initial release under the name Blink, the group added “-182” to their name to avoid legal issues with another band called Blink.
Blink‑182 continued to evolve and achieve mainstream success with later albums such as Dude Ranch (1997), Enema of the State (1999), and beyond. As of 2026, the band is still active, having undergone lineup changes but remaining influential in pop punk and alternative rock.
📀 Blink‑182 Studio Discography (Albums in Order)
Here’s a chronological list of major studio albums from Blink‑182:
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Cheshire Cat (1995)
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Dude Ranch (1997)
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Enema of the State (1999)
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Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001)
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Blink‑182 (2003)
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Neighborhoods (2011)
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California (2016)
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Nine (2019)
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One More Time… (2023)
(Note: This list includes major studio albums; the band also released EPs, demos, and live recordings.)
🌟 Top 5 Blink‑182 Albums (Impact & Success)
Blink‑182 has had a significant commercial and cultural impact, with several standout releases beyond Cheshire Cat. Here are five of their most influential albums:
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Enema of the State (1999) – Breakthrough mainstream success with multiple hit singles.
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Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001) – Continued chart dominance and fan appeal.
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Blink‑182 (2003) – Reinvented the band with a more mature sound.
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Dude Ranch (1997) – First major label exposure and last with original drummer.
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Cheshire Cat (1995) – Iconic debut that captured early pop punk spirit.
🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia
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Original Band Name: Cheshire Cat was initially released under just “Blink,” before an Irish band forced the name change to Blink‑182.
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Quick Recording: The album was recorded largely on a tight budget and tight schedule at Westbeach Recorders with engineer Steve Kravac advising on additional overdubs.
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Title Reference: The album’s title is inspired by the Cheshire Cat character from Alice in Wonderland — a playful nod fitting the band’s youthful humour.
🤔 Did You Know?
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Cheshire Cat helped Blink‑182 break out of the San Diego punk scene, leading to their Good Times Tour 1995, which took them outside of California for the first time.
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While not a major chart hit, the album has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide by the early 2000s and earned a Silver certification in the UK for selling about 60,000 copies there.
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Songs like “Carousel” and “M+M’s” remain fan favourites and are often featured in live performances and retrospective playlists.
Cheshire Cat remains a defining moment in 1990s punk rock history — a spirited, raw debut that announced Blink‑182’s arrival and laid the groundwork for their ascent to pop punk stardom.
