UPDATE: Tom DeLonge Says He Didn’t Actually Quit Blink-182
UPDATE: DeLonge posted on Facebook that, although he won't be playing with the band at the Musink Music and Tattoo Festival, he hasn't left Blink-182:
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
Rumors of the group's dissolution first surfaced earlier today (Jan. 26) after Blink-182 were revealed as headliners of the eighth annual Musink Music and Tattoo Festival in March but with Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba. Radio.com reported that the band's publicist then sent them the following:
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 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.
DeLonge, of course, has been incredibly busy with all of the ambitious endeavors surrounding his other band, Angels and Airwaves. Not only did they release their fifth full-length, 'The Dream Walker,' in December, but it's just one component of a larger concept that will also include a comic book series published by Magnetic Press, a novel by Suzanne Young, an anime short film and a feature-length movie.
It's been five years since the iconic pop-punk trio reassembled after their first hiatus prompted in 2005 due to conflicts between DeLonge, bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker.
Blink-182 were previously expected to enter the studio this month to work on a follow-up to their sixth album, 2011's 'Neighborhoods.'
Blink-182 -- 'Stay Together For the Kids' Official Music Video