Tom Delonge Leaves Blink 182
Blink 182 frontman Tom DeLonge leaves the band ‘indefinitely’
Pop-Punk veterans Blink 182 have recently broken the internet with the massive announcement that frontman and life-long friend Tom Delonge has ‘indefinitely’ left the band. This came as a shock to fans, who were expecting the Californian Pop-Punkers to start recording their new album just as the news was released. It also throws questions over the band’s involvement in the upcoming Musink Festival in California, presented by their very own Travis Barker.
The announcement that DeLonge had gone was not expected by anyone, including the guitarist himself, who later commented via social media; ‘I never quit the band.’ This sparked a media frenzy around what was happening with band, until bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker agreed to clarify what had really happened in an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, calling the former bandmate ‘ungrateful’ and ‘disingenuous’. For the full interview, see below:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/blink-182s-hoppus-barker-blast-ungrateful-disingenuous-tom-delonge-20150126
It seems that growing in-band tension between Tom, Mark and Travis had been slowly tearing the band apart ever since their five-year ‘indefinite hiatus’ back in 2005, where Tom showed similar behaviour by leaving the band just before they went on tour. DeLonge explained to fans why he left on social media, where he commented that he was ‘incredibly grateful’ for the band’s impact on his life and that he ‘never planned on quitting’ but found it ‘hard as hell to commit.’ This was after he wrote that the new Blink 182 recording would prevent him from pursuing endeavours in Alternative rock band Angels and Airwaves, an American supergroup he started with other well-known rock superstars. DeLonge also stated that he was working on other, non-musical projects that would clash with a Blink 182 record deal.
Attendees of the Musink Festival shouldn’t worry for the time being, since Hoppus and Barker will be joined by Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba. It is not known how long Skiba will remain in the band, but one thing is sure; DeLonge’s departure has not slowed the band at all. All eyes now turn to the Musink Festival, where the Punk Rocker’s Blink 182 debut will surely determine the future of one of the greatest Pop-Punk bands to step onto the world stage.
Recently, co-vocalist Mark Hoppus spoke to Alternative Press to clear up remaining issues surrounding DeLonge’s departure. For the exclusive interview, see below:
http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/tom_doesnt_want_to_be_in_blink_182._its_obvious.exclusive_interview_with_ma
Words By Luke Collins
