Blink-182 Storm Middle East Two shows honor U.S. service men in the Persian Gulf 
Nuclear! On a break from recording their upcoming self-titled album, due November 18th, Blink-182 played a pair of shows in the Middle East this week. "We don't really get involved in the whole political side of things, whether or not we should have gone to war," bassist Mark Hoppus said on the band's official Web site. "We're going over there because these guys are putting their lives on the line." Blink's two-show itinerary included a show at a military base in Bahrain and on an aircraft carrier in Kuwait. "The guys did great . . . it's way fucking hot out here!" reports Blink tour manager John Sanders. The band was invited to take a tour of the U.S.S. Memphis, a nuclear submarine. Sanders had the crew sign a bass, which Hoppus presented to the captain of the Memphis. "Definitely a Kodak moment," Sanders said. The band will play a benefit show with Taking Back Sunday for surfer Jason Bogle at the San Diego club 4th and B September 6th. Bogle lacks health insurance and has been diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Blink is also planning to have DJ Shadow remix B sides from their new album, to be released in the U.K. as singles and on vinyl in the U.S. COLIN DEVENISH (August 26, 2003)