"Dude Ranch" is the second studio album by American rock band Blink-182. It was released on June 17, 1997, through independent label MCA Records. The album marked a transitional period for the band, whose high-energy, catchy tunes combined elements of punk, rock, and pop to create a distinctive sound.
"Dude Ranch" was recorded in Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California, with producer Mark Trombino. The title of the album refers to a working ranch for city dwellers, lampooning the band's suburban upbringing.
The album contains the hits "Dammit," "Dick Lips," and "Josie," which catapulted the band into mainstream success. However, despite its commercial success, recording "Dude Ranch" was a tumultuous process marked by numerous tensions due to drummer Scott Raynor's heavy drinking habits and members' arguments about the band's future course.
"Dude Ranch" was the last Blink-182 album to feature Raynor on drums; he was replaced by Travis Barker in 1998. Overall, it was well received by critics and fans, and it went on to be certified platinum in the U.S, representing more than one million units sold. The album's raw energy and emotion, combined with its catchy melodies and humorous lyrics, solidified Blink-182's position in late '90s pop culture and had a significant impact on the evolution of pop punk.
