Music
Tom DeLonge has quit Blink-182
by Mark Teo
January 26, 2015
Today, we were saddened to hear that Tom Delonge quit Blink-182. It’s not because we were overly attached to DeLonge—he was, indisputably, a nasal-voiced rat goof with delusions of Bono grandeur (Bon-deur?). But he was indisputably a key component on Blink—and he’s been with the band since they were teenagers cracking dick jokes.
But today, DeLonge’s former bandmates—bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker—announced that they’d parted ways with the guitarist, who will focus on his “non-musical” projects. The band’s publicist noted that the known UFO truther has been replaced by Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba.
Matt Skiba of the Alkaline Trio will join Blink-182 in replacement of Tom DeLonge at the 8th annual Musink Music and Tattoo Festival. “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.
We, of course, are saddened, and it’s our belief—ahem, our correct belief—that DeLonge is a more critical part of Blink-182 than Barker. (Blink-182’s best album, Dude Ranch, was recorded with drummer Scott Raynor, and it’s arguable that the band would be just as good without Barker’s needless drum fills. Just saying.) Who’ll sing the chorus on “All the Small Things?” Can Skiba properly emote on “Adam’s Song”? Who’ll drop the jerk-off punchlines in “Voyeur”?
The answer, of course, is nobody. So here’s your holiday, Tom, we hope you enjoy it this time.
UPDATE: Tom Delonge took to Facebook to dispute the message by the band, saying that he hadn’t quit Blink-182. It appears they kicked him out. Read the message below.
