Box Car Racer was conceived by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge and formed during a break from touring . The trio 's European tour in the winter of 2001 was delayed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks , and rescheduled dates in early 2002 were also canceled due to DeLonge 's back problems , the result of a herniated disc . He began taking painkillers and developed " neurosis-inducing side effects . " DeLonge had felt " bummed out " and creatively stifled while recording the group 's previous album , '' Take Off Your Pants and Jacket '' . On the ensuing tour , he and Blink drummer Travis Barker would jam " every day , " and Barker introduced him to post-hardcore music . DeLonge had previously been derisive of any other styles of music , but soon embraced acts like Fugazi , Quicksand , Rocket from the Crypt , and Pitchfork . He began writing heavier-sounding guitar riffs ; the first riff he created became part of the song " All Systems Go " . Barker , in his 2015 memoir '' Can I Say '' , maintains that he asked DeLonge if they should use the riffs for a new Blink album . " I honestly thought that Tom had already had a conversation with bassist Mark Hoppus about this . They were so tight — inseparable — I could n't imagine Mark did n't know , " Barker writes
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Box Car Racer (album)