“They Came to Conquer... Uranus” is a longtime fan-favorite blink-182 EP released in 1995. The 7” EP was released in various colored vinyl, and has an iconic cover that features a robed alien. Recently, the photographer who shot the cover, has released all the photos from the session, as well as some classic photos of blink’s early days.
Kerry Key was a friend of the band, and documented their humble beginnings in the suburbs of San Diego. He’s released the photos, as well as his other photography (worth checking out too) on his Flickr. “They Came to Conquer... Uranus” features 3-songs that perfectly captured blink’s SoCal punk rock sound. An early version of the “Dude Ranch” standout “Waggy” appears on the EP, as well as “Zulu,” one of the band’s best, fastest skate punk songs. Here’s an interview with me telling DeLonge how “Zulu” is a favorite.
The EP came prior to blink’s mega stardom, and Tom DeLonge’s UAP/ UFO research with To The Stars Academy. Listen here. Between the alien aesthetic, the early sound of blink, and it being one of the first releases with the “182” attached to blink, the various colored vinyl re-releases, “They Came to Conquer... Uranus” is overall one of the band’s top rarities.
-By MIKE DAMANTE
If you are a fan of To The Stars, Mike Damante’s “Stranger Than Fiction” features interviews with Tom DeLonge, Nimitz UAP witnesses, and many more.
If you are a fan of pop-punk, Mike Damante’s latest book “Hey Suburbia: A guide to the emo/pop-punk rise” is out now, and features interviews with blink-182. Descendents, New Found Glory and others.