Dude Ranch was the band's second studio album. MCA signed the band in 1996 following moderate sales of their debut Cheshire Cat (1995) and growing popularity of the trio in Australia. Dude Ranch was the band's final recording released on Cargo and their last with original drummer Scott Raynor before he was dismissed from the band in 1998. During the production for Dude Ranch, the members of Blink182 were plagued with difficulties only made worse by a rushed schedule: bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge, covocalists for the band, were having vocal problems and Raynor had to record his drum tracks with both heels broken, on crutches.