With loads of pyro, near-album-quality sound and fiery guitar solos, Blink-182 defied its reputation as the court-jesters of pop and punk, proving that its rock shows are up there with the best.

The trio--Mark Hoppus, Tom Delonge and Travis Barker--kicked off the 90-minute show at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., on Wednesday (7/18) with its latest single, "Rock Show," and maintained the combustible energy through the closing number, its breakthrough hit "Dammit."

But the performance wasn’t without Blink-182’s trademark bathroom humor. Delonge belched loudly after each of the first five songs. Beyond the bathroom humor, Blink-182 relies heavily on self-effacing jokes and gags--after wrapping up "Rock Star," Hoppus told the crowd, "We’re Blink-182 and we paid a lot of money to hang out with you tonight." He later poked fun at the amphitheater’s new name (until this year it was known as the Pine Knob Music Theatre), something that’s almost considered criminal among the venue's management.

With a twist on the old, "Which side can cheer loudest" routine, Hoppus held a contest to see which side of the amphitheater could be the most quiet. When random folks cheered, he said, "I’m going to find out who was cheering and I’m going to kick all your a---s and I’m going to start with all the 14-year-old girls."

While most of the band's gags went over well, references to hometown pop stars Eminem and Kid Rock did not. When Hoppus mentioned them, the capacity crowd responded by booing.

"Where’s Kid Rock and Eminem? Where’s Bob [Ritchie, Kid Rock]?" Hoppus said. When the audience reacted negatively, Delonge mocked, "They [the audience] must be better songwriters, huh? Can you write a better song?"

The music was the show's strong point. The set list was heavy on tracks from Blink-182’s recent release, "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket" (MCA); "Anthem Part 2," "Happy Holidays," "Story of a Lonely Guy" and "Reckless Abandon" were wrapped around the band's earlier hits. Barker’s muscular drumming complimented Hoppus and Delonge as they traded off on vocals. The somber suicide tale "Adam’s Song" encouraged the otherwise fervent crowd to sing along.

The trio, which returns to the DTE on Thursday night (7/19), seemed genuinely touched by the enthusiastic response from the crowd. Young girls painted their bodies with messages of affection for the fresh-scrubbed trio. Meanwhile, male fans held signs overhead, sharing their "love" of the band and playfully imitating the "All the Small Things" video.

Although Blink-182’s videos and MTV appearances come across as goofy, its live shows are certainly not geared toward young children. Profanity is peppered throughout the songs and stage banter, so much so that it becomes an annoyance. But that's the only drawback for the rock show.