Famous guitarist with Blink-182, Tom DeLonge, announced that he is taking an indefinite break from the band. However, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio will take his place. In an interview with Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, discussions arose pertaining to turmoil within the bank, as well as an ungrateful DeLonge.
DeLonge has been the guitarist and co-vocalist for the punk band for a long time. To some, the departure was no surprise following the band revealing that Skiba who also plays the guitar and sings, was being recruited to join Blink-182’s upcoming headliner at the California Musink Festival being held on March 22.
It was shortly after that information came out that Hoppus issued a formal statement that DeLonge was in fact leaving the band on an indefinite basis. However, Hoppus emphasized that the band would still be playing at the festival and a new album that DeLonge has been delaying for some unknown reason would be recorded.
In a joint statement, Hoppus and Barker said one week prior to being scheduled to record the album in the studio, DeLonge’s manager sent them an email stating the he was not interested in being a part of projects involving Blink-182 but instead, wanted to focus on other endeavors that had nothing to do with the music industry.
Although there has been ongoing turmoil, both Hoppus and Barker claim that there are no hard feelings. They added that the most important thing is to provide fans with an outstanding performance. As for Skiba who has his own fan base with Alkaline Trio, Hoppus and Barker ensured everyone that he would continue touring with his own band and recording music.
In response to the departure from Blink-182, DeLonge has not yet made a comment on any social media site although he has been busy over the past several weeks promoting Angels & Airwaves music, his other band. He did post an Instagram selfie with a sundown as the background after making his decision to leave the band. Following that tweet, Hoppus posted his own tweet, “Blink-182 for life. For life”.
DeLonge had taken a hiatus from Blink-182 from 2005 to 2009 and after the reunion, was frequently on tour with them, as well as recording Neighborhoods, a 2011 album. In a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Hoppus and DeLonge were questioned about their next album.
To this, DeLonge responded that the way they come up with music is by playing acoustic guitars in the living room with family members around. Once things start coming together, managers get involved, everyone has something to say, and then the band is on tour.
DeLonge added that as far as a new album, playing guitar in the living room and tracking has not yet occurred but it will soon. Now with his departure from Blink-182, the next album to include him will never come.