The Pop Disaster Tour teamed up two of pop-punk’s biggest acts: Blink-182 and Green Day. Although both bands hailed from California and were part of
its punk scene, their backgrounds were distinctly different. Green Day, nearly a decade older, were rooted in the
Bay Area's
politically influenced culture. Blink-182, by contrast, embraced
SoCal irreverence and earned a reputation as a more radio-friendly act. By the early 2000s, their respective fortunes had reversed—Green Day was in a commercial slump, and were preparing to release their
greatest hits compilation. Blink, on the other hand, were enjoying their most profitable period, with their most recent LP,
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, becoming the first punk album to hit number one. Given their age, Green Day had obtained a reputation as "elder statesmen" of the pop-punk scene. These comparisons fueled a perceived rivalry in the press. To challenge that perception, Blink-182 proposed a joint tour. Modeled after the famous
Monsters of Rock festivals, the concept was essentially a "Monsters of Punk" tour. Early reports of the showdown were confirmed by spokespeople in January 2002, and the bands formally announced the tour in a joint appearance on
MTV's
TRL the next month. MTV sponsored the outing, alongside the newly released
Xbox. Blink-182 were quick to offer praise for their forebears, acknowledging their impact: "They were a huge inspiration for us", Blink bassist
Mark Hoppus said. Green Day, instead, frequently distanced themselves from their offspring. Frontman
Billie Joe Armstrong declined an idea to cover each other’s songs, telling
Rolling Stone he didn’t see much common ground between the two bands. Support bands included
Jimmy Eat World, riding the mainstream success of
Bleed American (2001), alongside rising acts
Simple Plan,
Saves the Day and Kut U Up. Kut U Up became known for their wild backstage antics, which were captured in the 2003 film
Riding in Vans with Boys. The film was conceived by the Blink duo of Hoppus and guitarist
Tom DeLonge, who brought in Matt Beauchesne—also behind their
The Urethra Chronicles II documentary—to direct. It was intended as "a social experiment" to document what happens when an ordinary band spends two months touring with two of rock's biggest bands. ==Controversy==