Tom DeLonge Quits Blink-182 Ahead of New Album – OR Did He Not?
Fans hoping for a new Blink-182 album better cool their expectations, as it was announced today that 
band co-founder, guitarist and vocalist, Tom DeLonge, has opted to leave the band to pursue non-musical endeavours.
With Blink-182 already committed to play the Musink Music and Tattoo Festival in March, the band has brought in Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba to fill in for the now departed DeLonge.
Here’s an official statement issued by the band:
“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 indefinitely, 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.”
Blink-182 split up in 2005, but returned in 2009. They released the well-received album, Neighborhoods, in 2011.
UPDATE: Tom DeLonge has reached out to fans on Instagram saying that he has NOT quit Blink-182. Here’s what he had to say:
“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….. #Awkward #BabyBackRibs”
-Adam Grant
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