Blink-182 Thriving w/ Matt Skiba – New Album in 2016
It’s easy not to forget how ugly Tom DeLonge’s 2015 departure from Blink-182 was. At the centre of it was insinuations that DeLonge’s outside interests were making it difficult for Blink-182 to function.
Instead of breaking up, remaining members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker invited Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba into the fold for a few shows. Eventually, it became known that Skiba would record with the band as well.
During a recent interview with KROQ, Barker has shed some light on Blink-182’s recording sessions with Skiba.
“[The] Blink album is coming together. I’m excited,” revealed Barker. “I don’t want to reveal too much. I don’t know how many songs we’re gonna write before we say ‘this is the group of 12 songs we’re putting on the album.’ We have 15-20 songs right now, but I really feel like it’s a process.”
“It’s awesome because we’re all actually in the studio, where we couldn’t get that with the old lineup. It was impossible to get all three of us in the same studio. In the beginning songs like ‘Up All Night‘ off ‘Neighbourhoods‘, I had just come from the hospital, from the burns centre. I had open wounds on my legs and I was in there way too prematurely just because we were so excited and I was lying to them. ‘Yeah, I’m fine to be in the studio’ but I wasn’t in any shape to be in the studio. We did about three songs like that and I think the ones we felt the greatest about were the ones where we were all in the studio.”
Continued Barker: “I think with a band you can’t just phone it in. You gotta be there. For that great chemistry and for everyone to really vibe you gotta all be in the same room.
“Just having someone like Matt (Skiba) who’s in the studio everyday is great. You got to show up, that’s the first part. It’s just exciting. It’s a new chapter and we’re not striving for mediocrity, we’re looking to kill it. We’re gonna make a great album.”
The harmonious progress with Skiba in the room could also result in thisnew Blink-182 album arriving in 2016.
“I think summertime,” offered Barker. “There’s tentatively some plans to play shows during summer. Everything will come together and be revealed in due time. It’s gonna be great.”
This will be great news for those on the Internet who think Blink-182 is more punk than almost any other band.
