While it’s not odd for recording artists to use the stage at award ceremonies to plug upcoming projects, last night’s Grammy Awards featured a unique announcement. Pop-punk trio Blink-182 confirmed a full-fledged reunion, complete with a new album and summer tour, after about four years apart.

Bassist Mark Hoppus, guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker were on stage together for the first time since their last concert in December 2004 to award the trophy for Best Rock Album to British group Coldplay.

His arm still in a sling since surviving a tragic plane crash in September 2008, Barker stepped up to the microphone and said, “We used to play music together, and we decided we’re going to play music together again.”


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After the ceremony, the band released a statement to the press, which read in part, “To put it simply, we’re back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again.”

The trio is expected to mount a tour in summer 2009, with speculation rising about an opening spot on tour with Green Day. Confirmed plans for the reunion have not been announced.

Blink-182 has been on hiatus since February 2005 when DeLonge left the group to pursue a number of side-projects, including his most recent band Angels & Airwaves. Hoppus and Barker went on to form +44, which released the debut “When Your Heart Stops Beating” in November 2006.

The trio made their debut in 1994 with “Cheshire Cat,” but didn’t hit the charts until 1997’s “Dude Ranch.” The group’s last studio effort prior to the hiatus was self-titled and released in November 2003.

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