Mark Hoppus And Travis Barker Confirm Tom DeLonge Is Out Of Blink-182 Indefinitely
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Written by Huw Baines
Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker have confirmed Tom DeLonge is out of Blink-182 indefinitely.
The news comes following an evening of confusion over the guitarist’s situation, which began with Hoppus and Barker releasing a statement (via KROQ) announcing that DeLonge was on indefinite hiatus from Blink. The message also contained the news that Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio would take his place at the March Musink Festival. It read:
“We were all set to play this festival and record a new album and Tom kept putting it off without reason. A week before we were scheduled to go in to the studio we got an email from his manager explaining that he didn’t want to participate in any Blink-182 projects indefinetly, but would rather work on his other non-musical endeavors.” Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus plan to honor all Blink-182 commitments including the Musink Festival and are excited to have singer/guitarist Matt Skiba join them for this project. “No hard feelings, but the show must go on for our fans.” Additionally, Skiba will continue to make new music and tour with the Alkaline Trio.”
DeLonge’s response came on Instagram, in a message that said he hadn’t “quit the band”:
“To all the fans, I never quit the band. I actually was on a phone call about a blink 182 event for New York City at the time all these weird press releases started coming in... Apparently those releases were 'sanctioned' from the band. Are we dysfunctional- yes. But, Christ.....”
Now, by way of clarification, Hoppus and Barker have spoken with Rolling Stone about their side of the situation, confirming that they stand by their earlier statement “100% because it's all true”. Hoppus said:
“We booked January 5th to go into the studio. On December 30th, we get an e-mail from Tom’s manager saying that he has no interest in recording and that he wants to do his other, non-musical stuff and that he’s out indefinitely. There’s a flurry of e-mails going back and forth for clarification about the recording and the show and his manager sends [an e-mail] back saying, “Tom. Is. Out.” Direct quote. This is the exact same e-mail we got back in 2004 when Tom went on indefinite hiatus before.”
Addressing the band’s reformation and the release of ‘Neigborhoods’, their comeback album, back in 2011, Barker added:
“It's hard to cover for someone who's disrespectful and ungrateful. You don't even have the balls to call your bandmates and tell them you're not going to record or do anything Blink-related. You have your manager do it. Everyone should know what the story is with him and it's been years with it. When we did get back together after my plane crash, we only got back together, I don't know, maybe because I almost died. But he didn't even listen to mixes or masterings from that record. He didn't even care about it. Why Blink even got back together in the first place is questionable.”
Hoppus also confirmed plans to continue playing and recording as Blink-182. What role, if any, DeLonge will play in that is one for the future. Hoppus concluded:
“When Tom finally said, "I'm not going to go into the studio or play this show," it was kind of a gigantic relief because at least he finally said it. But to then say, "I didn't quit the band," it's just not true. It's disingenuous. I just wish Tom does whatever makes him happy and stops holding Blink-182 back from what we all agree that we're going to do: play shows, record music, continue this legacy and have a good time doing it.”
UPDATE: Rock Sound are running a screenshot of a fresh tweet from DeLonge, which has since been deleted. It read: "A year ago Mark and I spent a week on the phone with managers debating parting with Travis... Don't pretend there isn't more to this story."
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