Tom DeLonge Leaves Blink-182

99Rock Music News:  Tom DeLonge Leaves Blink-182 ‘Indefinitely’

Tom DeLonge (Simone Joyner/Getty Images)

 

by Jay Tilles of Radio.com

Tom DeLonge, co-founder of Blink-182 has left the band ‘indefinitely.’

In a statement released this morning from the band’s publicist, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker explain the show must go on.

 
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.
 
The news comes on the heels of this morning’s Musink announcement where it was revealed that Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiva would be filling in for DeLonge. Within minutes, speculation of a break-up began circulating among fans.
 
The festival has become an important one to Barker. This is the second year that the drummer will curate the bands. Among this year’s performers are Bad Religion, Rancid, Yelawolf, OFF!, Sick of It All and Ignite.

The 3-day fest takes place March 20-22 at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, Calif with tickets going on sale this Friday at 10:00am PT.