Monday 15th October 2012 by Patrick Davies

Tags: Blink 182

Blink 182 have confirmed they have just begun writing a new album.

Bassist, Mark Hoppus,has revealed that the US punk-rockers are ready to start work on their seventh studio album, less than a year after the release of their last LP, 'Neighbourhoods'.

He tells the NME: "Early next week I go back to Los Angeles to record an iTunes session for Blink 182, and we're starting to write the new record right now."

Hoppus did, however, suggest it is likely to be late next year before fans can expect to hear the new material.

"We're going to tour Australia in February with Blink. [So the] proper tour and the new album probably won't happen for about a year," he added.

Before the release of last year's comeback album, some suspected it may have been the end of the road for Blink 182.

The trio had not released an album for eight years. Hoppus and drummer, Travis Barker, formed a new band, +44, while Tom DeLonge also had a taste of success outside Blink 182, with side project Angels and Airwaves.

But Hoppus' revelation is a clear sign that the Californians have no intention of calling it a day any time soon.

Mark Hoppus recently shared this photo of himself and son on Twitter

One possible reason for this newfound longevity may be that the bassist feels there is a gap for his band to fill, after claiming summer 2012 has lacked "great new music".

He explained: "I've kind of been in a dead-zone lately. I feel like this summer was kind of devoid of a lot of great new music.

"The new [Brooklyn indie duo] Matt & Kim album is coming out, I'm excited about that, the Mumford and Sons album I like... but, yeah, other than that it's been kind of a dry summer".

Meanwhile, Barker is likely to have only raised fans' expectations of the new material.

He recently stated: "I feel like the best is yet to come, the next album is going to be exciting".

Photos: Blink 182 live in Manchester, summer 2012