Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus recently paid tribute to Green Day’s Mike Dirnt, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Bass Magazine Awards. Hoppus spoke at the event, held at Santa Ana’s The Observatory, delivering a glowing ode to the musician. The tribute was shared by Kroq.
Hoppus began by reflecting on the personal connections attendees might have with Dirnt’s music.
“I feel like everyone here has their own origin story about how they fell in love with this bassist and this band,” Hoppus said. “And while they’re all very different, I’m willing to bet they’re fundamentally all the same. So I want to tell you my story.”
He then shared his own experience discovering Green Day.
“In the early ’90s, I was going to community college and playing bass in a garage band, and had dreams of one day actually going into a studio and recording a song – maybe even a demo or a single,” Hoppus explained. “And at that time, one of the bands that I couldn’t get enough of was this East Bay stoner trio called Green Day.”
Hoppus described his initial reaction to their music.
“They were awesome,” he continued. “A friend of mine loaned me ‘Kerplunk’, and it was like, Ramones meets Descendants, meets some kind of f*cking weird, Gilman Street sh*t that I didn’t understand, but I loved.”
Recounting a specific concert experience, Hoppus highlighted Dirnt’s performance.
“We went to a club called Soma to watch Green Day in a 1,200 cap club,” Hoppus said. “They started songs, and tore through them, and broke them down, and went off script, and improvised, and the whole time, the beating heart of the low end was this fucking killer bassist.”
He further emphasized Dirnt’s impact with the release of Green Day’s album “Dookie.”
“‘Dookie’ blew my mind,” Hoppus stated. “It was no surprise to me that the song that broke through and made punk rock mainstream success was ‘Longview’, which, of course, starts with Mike’s iconic baseline.”
Hoppus concluded by touching on Dirnt’s personal support.
“That tour was one of the highlights of my life,” Hoppus said. “Mike was awesome from day one, at the photo shoots, at the press events, throughout the tour, and beyond. When I was sick with cancer a few years ago, Mike texted me all the time to check in and see how I was doing. And also, he sent me a hot pink, Mike Dirnt signature Telecaster bass to lift my spirits.”
Green Day, originating from East Bay, California, emerged during the punk rock revival of the early 1990s. Their raw energy and relatable lyrics quickly resonated with a generation seeking an alternative to mainstream music.
The “Dookie” album, released in 1994, marked a pivotal moment for Green Day and the punk genre. Its widespread commercial success introduced punk rock to a broader audience, influencing countless musicians and bands.
Mike Dirnt’s basslines, particularly the iconic opening of “Longview,” became instantly recognizable. His playing style contributed significantly to Green Day’s signature sound, blending melodic hooks with a driving punk rhythm.
The Gilman Street Project, a Berkeley-based punk collective, was a significant influence on early Bay Area punk bands like Green Day. It fostered a vibrant DIY scene and provided a platform for emerging artists.
